Ventilator Controller Adjusting Respiratory Pressure via Cardiac Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current respiratory therapy devices do not optimally support cardiac output in patients with heart failure, as ventilation pressure settings are primarily based on obstructive breathing events, leading to suboptimal pressure support and potential deterioration in cardiac output and increased risk of edema.

Innovation Solution

A device that adjusts respiratory gas pressure based on cardiac output measurements, using a controller to increase or decrease pressure in response to changes in cardiac output, with sensors monitoring respiratory variables such as pressure, flow, and patient feedback to optimize cardiac support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ventilation pressure is set based on obstructive breathing events, then obstructive events are treated effectively, but cardiac output support becomes suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectiveness for obstructive eventsVSAvoidcardiac output support
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from obstruction-based detection to cardiac output-based detection. By monitoring parameters that reflect cardiac output (such as respiratory flow patterns, pressure variations, or derived hemodynamic parameters), the system adjusts ventilation pressure to directly support cardiac function while still maintaining effectiveness for obstructive events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation device is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: treating obstructive breathing events and supporting cardiac output. The controller integrates both obstruction detection and cardiac output monitoring, allowing the single device to address both clinical needs through coordinated pressure adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If pressure support is increased to improve cardiac output, then cardiac function is supported, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac output supportVSAvoidmeasurement and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses respiratory parameters (flow, pressure, volume) as intermediary measurements to infer cardiac output status. Rather than directly measuring cardiac output with complex hemodynamic sensors, the system uses readily available respiratory measurements from the ventilation device itself to derive cardiac output information, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where cardiac output status is continuously monitored through respiratory parameters, and ventilation pressure is automatically adjusted in response. This closed-loop control enables the device to adapt to changing cardiac conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or additional sophisticated sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If standard sensors are used to derive cardiac output measures, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidcardiac output measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical or invasive cardiac output measurement systems with indirect derivation from respiratory sensor data. By using standard pressure and flow sensors already present in the ventilation device to calculate or infer cardiac output parameters, the system avoids the need for expensive specialized cardiac sensors while providing sufficient measurement precision for clinical decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3827859B1Device for varying the breath gas pressure depending on a measure of cardiac output
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA
  • EP3827859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827859B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3827859B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for changing the respiratory gas pressure during ventilation as a function of a measure of sensorially derived cardiac output.