Ventilator Actuator Control for Precise Tidal Volume Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In developing countries, there is a shortage of ventilators, leading to unreliable manual ventilation of patients using bag valve masks, which can be life-threatening due to the difficulty in delivering precise air volumes and pressures consistently over time, and the lack of feedback on respiratory parameters.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with an inflatable bag that includes an actuator with a convex contact surface, sensors for pressure and flow rate, and a controller to adjust the actuator's position and speed according to prescribed respiratory parameters, ensuring consistent and safe ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual ventilation using bag valve mask is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and precision of ventilation parameters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect respiratory parameters and the controller to automatically adjust actuator position and speed, enabling the ventilator to self-regulate without continuous manual intervention while maintaining precise control over tidal volume, pressure, and breathing rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical ventilation with an automated system that uses sensors, controllers, and actuators to deliver precise respiratory support, eliminating the imprecision of hand-powered bag valve mask ventilation
2Manufacturing precision
If automated actuator control is implemented, then the precision of respiratory parameters is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor respiratory parameters (tidal volume, pressure, flow rate) and provide feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts actuator position and speed to maintain prescribed parameter values, ensuring precise and safe ventilation
Solution Approach 2:
The controller integrates multiple functions including parameter monitoring, actuator control, and safety regulation within a single device, allowing it to manage various respiratory parameters simultaneously while maintaining precision
3Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous monitoring of respiratory parameters is performed, then the patient safety is improved, but the loss of information increases due to data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor respiratory parameters and provide real-time feedback to the controller, which adjusts ventilation parameters dynamically to prevent lung damage and ensure patient safety while maintaining accurate parameter tracking
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
The system provides reliable and precise ventilation by measuring output parameters and adjusting the actuator to match set values for tidal volume, pressure, and breathing rate, reducing the risk of lung damage and improving patient safety in resource-limited settings.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor coupled to the output valve and configured to determine the pressure of the oxygen and/or air flowing through the output valve
Implementation Method 2
a flow rate sensor coupled to the output valve and configured to determine the flow rate of the oxygen and/or air flowing through the output valve
Implementation Method 3
an actuator coupled with a paddle having a convex contact surface capable of compressing the bag to cause the oxygen and/or the air to flow out of the output valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method of ventilating a patient controls an actuator, in accordance with a prescribed value for a respiratory parameter, to compress an inflatable bag to cause air to flow out of an output valve of the bag. The respiratory parameter may include tidal volume, pressure, volume limit, peak pressure, I:E ratio, inspiratory time, and/ or breathing rate of the air flowing through the output valve. The method also senses the pressure flowing through the output valve, and sends a pressure signal to the controller. Additionally, the method senses the flow rate through the output valve, and sends a flow rate signal to the controller. The method also adjusts the compression of the actuator as a function of the flow rate signal and/ or the pressure signal to adjust the output tidal volume, pressure, volume limit, peak pressure, I:E ratio, inspiratory time, and/ or breathing rate to be in accordance with the prescribed value.