Automatic Tube Transposition Detection in Ventilator Breathing Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual verification of ventilation tube connections in medical devices is error-prone and time-consuming, leading to potential incorrect connections during patient ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically detect transposed ventilation tubes using a gas delivery unit, sensors, and a control unit, which compare measured values against expected values to issue warnings for incorrect connections, ensuring reliable detection without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual verification of ventilation tube connections is performed by medical staff, then the device can detect incorrect connections, but the process is error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical verification process with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors automatically monitor the breathing circuit and detect tube transposition errors without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating human error and reducing verification time while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-verification through automatic sensor monitoring that continuously checks the breathing circuit configuration. The device performs self-detection of incorrect connections without external manual input, allowing the system to monitor itself and alert operators to errors automatically
2Reliability
If manual checking steps are carried out to verify tube connections, then connection errors can be detected, but the process is complex and requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual checking procedures with automated sensor-based detection. The sensor system automatically monitors pressure differentials and flow characteristics in the breathing circuit to identify tube transposition errors, eliminating the need for multiple manual verification steps and simplifying the overall process
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tubes and cables are present in the patient area, then comprehensive patient monitoring is achieved, but the risk of incorrect tube connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through automatic sensor monitoring that continuously provides information about the breathing circuit configuration. The system detects pressure differentials and flow patterns to identify incorrect connections among multiple tubes and cables, providing real-time feedback to operators and automatically alerting them to potential errors, thereby maintaining reliability despite system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilator or anesthesia device and method create a reference state and record a measured value as a reference value. A gas delivery unit is activated after the ending of the reference state to build up pressure in a breathing circuit. A comparison measured value is determined with a pressure or flow sensor. A deviation of the measured value from the reference value in relation to a predefined or predefinable expected value is monitored based on the comparison. A warning message is issued depending on a result of the comparison. A drop in pressure in the breathing circuit is caused after the recording of the comparison measured value and a further comparison measured value is recorded following the drop in pressure. A deviation of the further comparison measured value from the reference value leads to a further warning message when the deviation does not correspond to the further expected value.