Ventilation Therapy Apparatus Oxygen Proportional Valve Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilation therapy apparatuses cannot adjust the total flow or oxygen concentration in real-time during the oxygen supply process, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency, especially with wearable respiratory masks and plug-in nasal oxygen tube systems.

Innovation Solution

The ventilation therapy apparatus uses feedback from output parameters to adjust the opening degree of the oxygen proportional valve and the rotating speed of the fan, matching the patient's respiratory flow and pressure, ensuring a constant oxygen concentration and reducing oxygen waste by varying airflow based on inhalation and exhalation states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the oxygen flow is adjusted in conventional ventilation therapy apparatuses, then the oxygen concentration can be changed, but the adjustment requires turning off the apparatus and cannot be done in real-time during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen concentration adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of oxygen flow rate during operation through a control module that receives user input and automatically regulates the oxygen proportional valve. This allows the oxygen concentration to be changed in real-time without turning off the apparatus, transforming the static oxygen delivery system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing patient needs while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the plug-in nasal oxygen tube is used as an open air path, then the airway can be kept open, but real-time monitoring of output flow is difficult making it impossible to change total flow or oxygen concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairway opennessVSAvoidoutput flow monitoring accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a control module that functions as a feedback system, continuously monitoring operational parameters and enabling real-time adjustment of oxygen flow based on measured values. This feedback mechanism allows precise monitoring of output flow and total flow through sensors, while maintaining the open air path benefit of the nasal oxygen tube, thus resolving the contradiction between airway openness and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the wearable respiratory mask supplies fixed flow of air, then the device structure is simple, but the total flow cannot be changed during operation requiring shutdown for adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidtotal flow adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service control system where the control module automatically adjusts the oxygen proportional valve and fan speed based on user input parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention or apparatus shutdown. The system serves itself by autonomously regulating total flow and oxygen concentration, maintaining structural simplicity while gaining adaptability through automated control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for real-time adjustment of airflow and oxygen concentration, enhancing patient comfort and respiratory experience while minimizing oxygen escape and waste, facilitating more effective treatment planning and monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

controlling an oxygen proportional valve connected to the main body to open at a corresponding preset opening degree according to the output parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProportional valve control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

controlling a fan of the main body to run at a corresponding preset rotating speed, to allow the main body to inhale air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan rotation: Fan

Implementation Method 3

mixing the inhaled air with the oxygen supplied by the oxygen supply module, to obtain a gas mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas mixing:

Implementation Method 4

outputting the gas mixture through a respiratory pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas transport:

Data Source

PatentEP3871720B1Ventilation therapy apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 BMC MEDICAL CO LTD
  • EP3871720B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3871720B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3871720B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A ventilation therapy apparatus and a method for controlling the ventilation therapy apparatus. The ventilation therapy apparatus includes: a main body, a respiratory pipe, a patient interface, an oxygen supply module, an oxygen proportional valve and a control module; a first end of the respiratory pipe communicates with an output end of the main body; a second end of the respiratory pipe is connected to the patient interface, the oxygen supply module is connected to the main body through the oxygen proportional valve, the control module is configured for detecting output parameters of the main body, and when it is determined that the main body is in a preset state, the control module controls the oxygen proportional valve to open at a corresponding preset opening degree according to the output parameters, and controls the fan of the main body to run at a corresponding preset rotating speed. The present disclosure uses the output parameters of the main body to determine the patient's expiratory and inspiratory flow, and adjusts the opening degree of the oxygen proportional valve and the rotating speed of the fan of the main body to deliver the airflow corresponding to the patient's respiratory flow or pressure to the patient, so that the patient may receive a constant concentration oxygen more comfortably, and improve the user's respiratory experience.