Ventilator Gas Humidification with Airway Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and humidification systems for mechanical ventilation lack advanced control and monitoring capabilities, leading to suboptimal patient ventilation, safety, and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a humidifier with a chamber, heating element, and outlet, an inspiratory conduit with a heating member, airway sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring, and a controller with a user interface for displaying system diagrams and allowing manual override of temperature and humidity settings within clinically acceptable ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional heating and humidification systems are used, then basic heating and humidification function is provided, but control and monitoring precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides temperature and humidity monitoring into multiple locations: a first temperature sensor in the inspiratory conduit and a second temperature sensor in the expiratory conduit, along with a humidity sensor. This segmentation allows precise measurement at different points in the respiratory circuit without requiring a single complex monitoring device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives temperature and humidity data from sensors positioned at the patient airway interface and the humidifier chamber, and automatically adjusts heating element power and humidifier operation to maintain target parameters. This closed-loop feedback ensures precise control while simplifying user interaction.
2Reliability
If advanced control features are added to improve ventilation precision, then patient safety and ventilation quality improve, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs temperature and humidity control based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the user. The control system self-regulates heating element power and humidifier operation to maintain target parameters, improving safety without complicating user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to set target temperature and humidity parameters within clinically acceptable ranges, then automatically maintains these parameters through controlled changes in heating power and humidification rate. This approach provides precise control while keeping the user interface simple.
3Loss of information
If multiple sensors and control features are implemented, then monitoring capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides temperature and humidity monitoring into multiple locations: a first temperature sensor in the inspiratory conduit and a second temperature sensor in the expiratory conduit, along with a humidity sensor. This segmentation allows precise measurement at different points in the respiratory circuit without requiring a single complex monitoring device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it processes data from multiple sensors, controls the heating element, manages humidifier operation, and provides user interface functionality. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into one integrated system.
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
The system provides precise control and monitoring of inspired gas temperature and humidity, ensuring optimal patient ventilation and safety while simplifying user operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element and an outlet
Implementation Method 2
a heating member extending through or along at least a substantial portion of the inspiratory conduit
Implementation Method 3
at least one airway sensor located at a patient airway sensor location at or near the patient end of the inspiratory conduit, said airway sensor being operative to sense the temperature and/or humidity of respiratory gas
Implementation Method 4
sense the temperature and/or humidity of respiratory gas
Implementation Method 5
at least chamber end sensor located at a chamber sensor location and operative to sense temperature and/or humidity of respiratory gas at or near the chamber of the humidifier
Implementation Method 6
sense temperature and/or humidity of respiratory gas
Implementation Method 7
the controller being programmed to control the amount of heat delivered by the heating member so as to cause the sensed airway temperature to be equal to or within a predetermined acceptable variance range of the target airway temperature setting
Implementation Method 8
and the sensed chamber temperature to be equal to or within a predetermined acceptable variance range of the target chamber temperature setting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2B
Figure 2C~3
AI summary
Systems and methods for heating and/or humidifying a respiratory gas or gas mixture delivered to a human or animal patient during spontaneous or mechanical ventilation.