Ventilator Occlusion Maneuver for Non-Invasive Lung Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilators lack an efficient method to determine an indicator of lung condition during inhalation, relying on manual evaluation of inspiratory pressure curves and requiring esophageal catheters, which are invasive and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A medical device, particularly a ventilator, performs an occlusion maneuver to determine an inspiratory pressure plateau by controlling ventilation phases and using sensors to analyze pressure curves, providing real-time indicators of lung condition without invasive catheters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of inspiratory pressure curves is used, then lung condition indicator can be determined, but the process is time-consuming and requires invasive esophageal catheters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical evaluation of pressure curves with automated electronic signal processing and analysis systems. The control unit automatically processes pressure sensor data to generate lung condition indicators, eliminating the need for manual clinician evaluation and significantly reducing assessment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified model or representation of lung condition through automated calculation of indicators from pressure curve data. Instead of requiring direct invasive measurement (esophageal catheter), the system uses pressure sensor data to generate a computational model that reflects lung condition, enabling non-invasive assessment.
2Measurement precision
If esophageal catheters are used for measurement, then accurate lung condition data can be obtained, but patient discomfort and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure sensors and automated analysis systems as intermediaries between the patient's respiratory system and the clinician's assessment needs. Instead of directly inserting esophageal catheters into the patient, the system uses external pressure sensors on the breathing circuit to indirectly measure and analyze lung condition, eliminating invasive procedures while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the invasive esophageal catheter procedure. By taking out the core function of pressure measurement and implementing it through non-invasive pressure sensors on the breathing circuit, the system maintains measurement accuracy while removing the harmful invasive element.
3Extent of automation
If automated occlusion maneuver is implemented, then ventilation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the occlusion maneuver functionality into the existing ventilator control unit, allowing the same device to perform both standard ventilation and automated occlusion maneuvers. The control unit uses existing pressure sensors and processing capabilities to execute the maneuver, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware and minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated occlusion maneuver system performs self-assessment and self-adjustment based on real-time pressure curve analysis. The control unit automatically detects lung condition changes and can trigger appropriate ventilation parameter adjustments without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to serve itself while improving ventilation control.
Data Source
AI summary
A process carries out an occlusion maneuver (100) and a medical device for ventilating a living beings incudes features with an operating function to carry out the occlusion maneuver (100) to determine an inspiratory pressure plateau (P_plat.) (111). A computer program or computer program product may carry out at least some of the process. During and after carrying out the occlusion maneuver, a signal analysis (110) can be used to determine whether a stable and reliable inspiratory pressure plateau (P_plat.) (111) could be determined as a result of the occlusion maneuver (100).