Anesthesia Ventilator Mode Transition via CO2 and Flow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anesthesia ventilators lack the ability to automatically detect and transition between different modes of operation based on patient-specific breathing patterns and carbon dioxide concentrations, requiring manual intervention by clinicians to adjust ventilation modes.

Innovation Solution

An anesthesia ventilator equipped with sensors for volume flow, carbon dioxide, and pressure, along with a computer system that automatically detects desired operating states and outputs signals for mode changes, allowing for seamless transitions between pressure-controlled and pressure support ventilation modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used to adjust ventilation modes, then clinician control is maintained, but clinician workload increases and response time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation mode adjustmentVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilator system automatically detects patient breathing patterns and carbon dioxide concentrations, then autonomously determines optimal ventilation modes and transitions between them without requiring continuous manual intervention from clinicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors patient-specific parameters (breathing patterns, carbon dioxide concentrations) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust ventilation modes, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to patient needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated detection is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation mode adjustment efficiencyVSAvoidsensor and computer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computer system integrates multiple functions including detection of breathing patterns, analysis of carbon dioxide concentrations, determination of optimal ventilation modes, and control of mode transitions, allowing a single integrated system to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines volume flow sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, and computer processing capabilities into an integrated ventilator platform, merging detection, analysis, and control functions into one unified device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If real-time monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathing pattern and CO2 concentration detectionVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computer system acts as an intermediary that receives raw sensor data from multiple sources (volume flow sensors, carbon dioxide sensors), processes and integrates this information, and translates it into clinically actionable decisions regarding ventilation mode selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables automated and efficient ventilation mode adjustments based on real-time patient data, improving patient care by ensuring stable ventilation and reducing clinician workload through automated decision support.

Implementation Method 1

at least one volume flow sensor for detecting a volume flow of the breathing gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolume flow detection:

Implementation Method 2

at least one breathing gas sensor for detecting a carbon dioxide concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbon dioxide detection:

Implementation Method 3

at least one pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the breathing gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11154675B2Anesthesia ventilator for automatic ventilation as well as for the detection of an operating state concerning the automatic ventilation

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

An anesthesia ventilator, for the automated ventilation of a patient, includes an expiratory port and an inspiratory port for connecting a patient ventilation tube for a breathing gas, a breathing gas delivery unit, a breathing gas volume flow sensor, a breathing gas sensor for detecting a carbon dioxide concentration, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the breathing gas, and a computer. The computer is configured to actuate the breathing gas delivery unit in a first mode of operation as a function of a preset ventilation rate, of the detected pressure and of a preset desired pressure value. The computer is configured to detect the presence of a desired operating state concerning the automated ventilation on the basis of the detected volume flow and of the detected carbon dioxide concentration and to make possible a transition to a second mode of operation in case of detection.