Ventilator Humidifier Dynamic Heating Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients using CPAP or ventilator therapy face challenges with inconsistent or delayed provision of warmed and humidified air, which can disrupt sleep and deal with issues of airway drying due to leaks, requiring a more adaptive humidification system that adjusts to varying breathing parameters and leakage levels.

Innovation Solution

A ventilator-integrated humidifier system that adjusts heating power based on real-time breathing gas parameters, including pressure, flow rate, leakage, and ambient conditions, using sensors and a control unit to maintain constant humidity levels and prevent condensation, with dynamic power control and intelligent warm-up phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If heating power is increased to provide warmed air quickly, then the speed of heating is improved, but energy consumption increases and risk of overheating rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating power is made dynamically adjustable through multiple power levels (first, second, and third power levels) that can be switched based on real-time temperature feedback from the sensor, allowing the system to optimize between heating speed and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor detects the actual temperature of the heating element and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the heating power accordingly to prevent overheating while minimizing energy consumption when high power is not needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If heating power is increased to prevent airway drying, then the humidification effectiveness is improved, but the risk of condensation in ventilation tubes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification effectivenessVSAvoidcondensation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating power is dynamically adjusted based on detected temperature and flow conditions, switching between multiple power levels to maintain optimal humidification while preventing excessive heating that would cause condensation in the ventilation tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes heating parameters (power levels) based on detected conditions, using higher power when flow is high to prevent drying, and lower power when flow is low to prevent condensation, thereby adapting to varying operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If constant high heating power is used to ensure immediate warm air delivery, then the responsiveness is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidoverheating

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor continuously monitors the heating element temperature and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the heating power in real-time to prevent overheating while maintaining rapid responsiveness when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system transitions from static constant power to dynamic variable power with multiple levels, allowing rapid initial heating followed by automatic reduction to comfortable operating temperatures based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If heating power is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is improved, but the ability to handle leakage and maintain humidity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidhumidification performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating power is dynamically adjusted based on detected flow conditions, automatically increasing to higher power levels when leakage or high flow is detected to maintain humidification performance, and reducing to lower power levels during normal operation to save energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures rapid and consistent delivery of warmed and humidified air, reducing airway drying and condensation issues, while optimizing power usage and maintaining patient comfort across different therapy modes and leakage levels.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (13) and a control unit (16) for specifying the heating power of the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one sensor (21-29) which detects parameters of the breathing gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3858415B1Device for humidifying respiratory gas

Publication Date: 2024.03.06 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~2D
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a ventilator with a breathing gas unit (14) and with a humidifier (11) which has a heating element (13) and a water reservoir and is designed for coupling to the ventilator, comprising: - at least one sensor (15) which detects the parameters of the breathing gas - at least one control unit (16) for adjusting the heating power of the heating element at least partially based on the parameters of the breathing gas.