Time-Multiplexed Ventilator Splitter for Multi-Patient Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilator solutions for multiple patients struggle to adjust airflow dynamically based on individual lung compliance and size differences, leading to inadequate ventilation, especially when patients have varying respiratory needs.
Innovation Solution
A ventilator device with an air tube splitter, adjustable valves, and a controller that can regulate airflow by receiving inspiratory pressure or tidal volume settings, allowing for real-time adjustment of airflow to each patient through a system of actuators and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple splitter is used to divide ventilator output to multiple patients, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airflow delivery becomes unequal when patients have different lung compliance and size
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the single ventilator output into multiple independent patient circuits, each with its own control valve. This allows individualized airflow management for each patient while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamically adjustable valves in each patient circuit that can be controlled in real-time based on patient respiratory needs. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt airflow delivery to individual patient characteristics such as lung compliance and size.
2Ease of operation
If fixed valves are used to regulate airflow to multiple patients, then the airflow distribution can be controlled, but real-time adjustment capability is lost when patient conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor respiratory parameters for each patient and feeds this information back to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the valve positions in real-time to maintain appropriate airflow levels even as patient conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical valve adjustment with automated electronic control. Motors or actuators driven by the controller adjust the valves based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If a single ventilator serves multiple patients simultaneously, then the productivity is improved by meeting ventilation demand, but the measurement precision of individual patient ventilation parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the ventilation measurement and control functions into separate independent circuits for each patient. Each circuit has its own sensors and control valves, allowing precise measurement and control of ventilation parameters for each individual patient even though a single ventilator serves multiple patients.
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilator device for co-ventilation of multiple patients may include an air tube splitter having an inlet, a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of branches each extending to a respective outlet, a plurality of valves coupled to the branches, a plurality of actuators coupled to the valves, and a controller in operable communication with the actuators. Each valve may be configured to be adjusted to regulate air flow through a respective branch. Each actuator may be configured to adjust a respective valve. The controller may be configured to receive a set of inspiratory pressure settings or tidal volume settings for the patients and independently control the actuators to adjust the valves based at least in part on the set of inspiratory pressure settings or tidal volume settings. The controller may employ time-multiplexing in controlling the actuators to adjust the valves for ventilating the patients at different times.