Dual Algorithm Ventilator Circuit Disconnect Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face challenges in reliably detecting patient circuit disconnects across various locations, ventilation modes, patient sizes, and breathing patterns, leading to potential lung impairment or collapse due to inadequate gas supply.
Innovation Solution
A dual detection algorithm system that includes a first detection algorithm for primary alarm activation and a second algorithm for informing onboard subsystems, utilizing inspiratory and expiratory flow sensors and pressure sensors to differentiate between long-term and short-term volume and pressure losses, and compliance changes, ensuring timely and accurate detection of circuit disconnects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single detection algorithm is used for circuit disconnect detection, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of disconnect detection across various locations and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the disconnect detection function into two separate algorithms: a first algorithm for detecting disconnects in the inspiratory line and a second algorithm for detecting disconnects in the expiratory line. Each algorithm is optimized for specific disconnect locations, thereby improving overall detection reliability without requiring a single overly complex system that would need to handle all possible scenarios uniformly.
2Measurement precision
If the detection algorithm is made highly sensitive to detect all disconnect conditions, then the detection precision is improved, but false alarms increase due to noise or short-term fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensitivity adjustment by using different detection thresholds and time constants for different alarm conditions. The system adapts its detection sensitivity based on the specific alarm type and clinical context, allowing high sensitivity for critical disconnects while maintaining lower sensitivity for less critical conditions, thereby reducing false alarms while preserving detection precision.
3Loss of time
If the main alarm is activated for every detected disconnect condition, then the timeliness of alarm is improved, but inappropriate system adjustments occur due to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary verification step before activating the main alarm. When a disconnect condition is detected, the system first validates the detection using multiple parameters (flow, pressure, volume) and time-based criteria before triggering the alarm. This preliminary action ensures that only genuine disconnects result in alarm activation, preventing inappropriate system adjustments while maintaining timely response to real issues.
4Reliability
If the detection system uses multiple algorithms and sensors, then the disconnect detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the detection system to use a single set of sensors (flow sensor, pressure sensor, volume sensor) that serve multiple functions: detecting disconnects in the inspiratory line, disconnects in the expiratory line, and monitoring various ventilation parameters. The same hardware infrastructure supports both the first and second detection algorithms, thereby improving detection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting disconnect of a patient circuit of a ventilation system, wherein a circuit disconnect is detected with a first sensitivity and a second sensitivity. The circuit disconnect detected with the first sensitivity is performed by detecting a volume loss for a minimum period of time, detecting a peak pressure loss for at least two consecutive breathing cycles or a minimum period of time, and detecting a pressure loss continuing for a predetermined period of time. The circuit disconnect detected with the second sensitivity is performed by detecting a volume loss for a single breathing cycle, detecting a pressure loss for a single breathing cycle, and detecting an increase of compliance. The first sensitivity is lower than the second sensitivity. Preferably, an alarm is activated when the circuit disconnect is detected with the first sensitivity, and subsystems of the ventilation system is informed of the circuit disconnect that has been detected with the second sensitivity.