Ventilator Oxygen Bolus Delivery via Segmented Conduits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilators are bulky and require multiple devices for patients needing assistance beyond breathing support, making them cumbersome for patients to travel with.

Innovation Solution

A ventilator system that includes a method and device capable of delivering a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases during the inspiratory phase, with a control system to manage oxygen flow and pressure, integrated with a patient circuit to provide synchronized oxygen pulses and tidal volume control, enhancing portability and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional ventilators are used to provide breathing support, then patients receive adequate ventilatory assistance, but the equipment becomes bulky and requires multiple separate devices for additional therapies

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple respiratory therapy functions (ventilation, oxygen therapy, nebulization, and suction) into a single integrated ventilator device. The system uses a unified patient circuit with integrated conduits that can deliver different therapies through the same interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilator is designed as a universal platform capable of providing multiple respiratory therapies simultaneously or sequentially through a single device. The system can switch between ventilation mode, oxygen bolus mode, nebulization mode, and suction mode, making it adaptable to various patient needs without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for comprehensive respiratory therapy, then patients receive complete treatment (ventilation, oxygen, nebulization, suction), but portability is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic capabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all necessary respiratory therapy components into a single integrated unit, the system reduces the total weight that patients or caregivers must manage. The unified design consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate pieces of equipment into one portable device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patient circuit is segmented into multiple functional conduits (first conduit for ventilation, second conduit for oxygen, third conduit for nebulization, fourth conduit for suction) that operate independently but are integrated within a single system. This segmentation allows each therapy to function independently while maintaining overall system portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If oxygen is delivered through the main ventilator connection, then oxygen therapy is provided, but oxygen mixes with breathing gases making precise oxygen bolus delivery difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen therapy capabilityVSAvoidoxygen delivery precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses separate conduits for oxygen delivery (second conduit) and ventilation (first conduit), with distinct connections to the patient circuit. This segmentation prevents mixing of oxygen with breathing gases until the point of patient delivery, enabling precise control of oxygen bolus volume and timing independent of the ventilation parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for efficient and portable delivery of breathing support, including oxygen therapy and secretion clearance, reducing the need for multiple devices and improving patient mobility.

Implementation Method 1

one or more second flow conduits in fluid communication with the patient oxygen outlet... The patient oxygen outlet and the one or more second flow conduits isolate the oxygen from the breathing gases delivered to the one or more first flow conduits and the ventilator connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid communication and isolation:

Data Source

PatentUS11247015B2Ventilator with integrated oxygen production

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 VENTEC LIFE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.