Ventilator Gas Supply Switching for Central System Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ventilators often rely on central gas supply systems, which can be unreliable or unavailable, limiting their ability to provide timely assistance to patients in need of respiratory support.
Innovation Solution
A ventilator design that includes multiple gas supply paths and a switching device, allowing for independent operation without a central gas supply system, using a combination of pressurized gas sources, flow adjustment devices, and a controller to maintain a desired oxygen concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ventilator uses a central gas supply system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the central system may be unavailable or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is segmented into multiple independent paths: a first gas path connected to a first pressurized gas source, a second gas path connected to a second pressurized gas source, and a third gas path connected to a third pressurized gas source. Each path can operate independently, allowing the ventilator to maintain reliability by switching between paths if one becomes unavailable, while keeping each individual path relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilator is designed with multi-functionality to accept multiple types of gas sources (central gas supply, portable gas cylinders, or other pressurized sources) through standardized interfaces. The switching device and control system can universally manage different gas source configurations, allowing the same device to adapt to various hospital settings without requiring complete redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ventilator includes multiple gas supply paths and switching devices, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator incorporates a dynamic switching device that can automatically or manually reconfigure gas path connections based on the available gas sources. The switching device includes valves and connectors that can dynamically change the operational configuration, allowing the system to adapt to different scenarios (central supply, portable cylinders, or combinations) without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the multiple gas sources and the patient interface. This intermediary manages the complexity by centralizing the control logic for switching between gas paths, monitoring gas source status, and coordinating the operation of multiple pressurized gas sources and flow adjustment devices, thereby simplifying the user interface and operational complexity.
3Productivity
If the ventilator switches between different gas supply modes, then the productivity improves by providing timely assistance, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to pressure detection challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator incorporates pressure sensors in each gas path that provide continuous feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the switching device to monitor the pressure status of each gas source and automatically switch to an appropriate gas path when pressure falls below a threshold or when a more suitable source becomes available, enabling rapid response to changing conditions while maintaining accurate pressure measurement through dedicated sensing in each path.
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 the ventilator to provide a mixed gas with a desired oxygen concentration in a timely manner, even in the absence of a central gas supply system, ensuring reliable patient care.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor detecting gas pressure at the second pressurized gas source adaptor
Implementation Method 2
a second inhalation branch for delivering inhalation gas to the patient, comprising a gas compression device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a ventilator that includes a first gas path, comprising a first pressurized gas source adaptor and a first flow adjustment device connected in sequence; a second gas path, comprising a second pressurized gas source adaptor and a second flow adjustment device connected in sequence; a third gas path, comprising a third pressurized gas source adaptor; a first inhalation branch for delivering inhalation gas to a patient; a second inhalation branch for delivering inhalation gas to the patient, including a gas compression device; a switching device, including a first mixing mode connecting the first gas path and the second gas path to the first inhalation branch, and a second mixing mode connecting the first gas path and the third gas path to the second inhalation branch; and an exhalation branch for managing exhaled air of the patient.