Ventilator Exhalation Valve Piezo Pump Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilators cause discomfort to patients due to the need to 'breathe against' the exhalation valve during the expiratory phase, leading to increased flow resistance and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A ventilator with a valve drive comprising both regular and inverse piezo pumps, allowing for active opening of the exhalation valve independently of patient flow, reducing flow resistance and enabling rapid transitions between inspiratory and expiratory phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhalation valve is opened passively by patient's dynamic pressure, then the valve structure is simple, but the patient experiences discomfort and increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
A piezoelectric pump is introduced as an intermediary device between the control system and the exhalation valve. The pump actively displaces closing medium (gas or liquid) into or out of the valve chamber, enabling precise control of the closing body position. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for the patient to generate high dynamic pressure to open the valve, thereby reducing flow resistance and discomfort while maintaining reliable valve actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive mechanical opening mechanism (relying on patient's breath pressure) is replaced with an active piezoelectric pump system. The piezoelectric pump uses electro-mechanical conversion to actively control the valve opening, substituting the mechanical pressure-based system with an electrically controlled system that can precisely regulate valve opening without depending on patient effort.
2Ease of operation
If the exhalation valve opens during exhalation, then exhalation function is achieved, but the patient must breathe against the valve causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric pump performs preliminary action by actively opening the exhalation valve before the patient's exhalation flow reaches peak levels. By pre-positioning the closing body in the open state through active control, the valve is ready to accommodate the patient's exhalation flow without creating resistance, thereby easing exhalation effort while maintaining ventilatory efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system transitions from a static or passive opening mechanism to a dynamically controlled system. The piezoelectric pump continuously adjusts the closing body position based on real-time requirements, enabling the valve to adapt its opening degree dynamically. This dynamic control ensures optimal balance between easing patient exhalation effort and maintaining efficient ventilatory function.
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 active opening of the exhalation valve by the inverse piezo pump minimizes flow resistance, allowing for effortless exhalation at the beginning of the expiratory phase and improving dynamic control of volume flow, enhancing patient comfort and ventilatory efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a valve drive, which comprises at least one pumping device designated here and below as a piezo pump
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory device (10) includes at least one expiration valve (12) and/or at least one inspiration valve (14) with a valve drive (18) that is configured to influence a position of a closure element (20) of each valve (12, 14). A method for operating such a respiratory device (10) is also provided. The valve drive (18) acts on a valve chamber (24) and a volume in the valve chamber (24) determines the position of the closure element (20). The valve drive (18) includes a plurality of piezo pumps (40, 42), with at least one regular piezo pump (40) with a direction of action towards the valve chamber (24) and at least one inverse piezo pump (42) with a reverse direction of action.