Ventilator Waveform Analysis for Cardiogenic PVA Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) are not effective in real-time and often rely on manual analysis by caregivers, leading to increased duration of ventilation, tracheostomy rates, and ICU length of stay, as they fail to account for cardiogenic artefacts that complicate the detection of asynchrony events.

Innovation Solution

A method to calculate a cardiogenic index from ventilator airway pressure and flow waveforms, using standardized data points, fast Fourier transforms, and power spectrum analysis to identify cardiogenic components, which are then used to detect and resolve PVAs through dynamic adjustment of ventilator settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual analysis of ventilator waveforms by caregivers is used to detect PVAs, then the method is simple to implement, but it cannot provide real-time detection and leads to increased duration of ventilation and ICU length of stay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtime delay in detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis of ventilator waveforms with an automated computer-based detection system. The system uses algorithms to automatically analyze pressure and flow waveforms, identify cardiogenic artefacts, and detect PVAs in real-time, eliminating the time delay associated with manual review while improving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilator system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring its own waveforms, identifying asynchrony events, and generating notifications without requiring external manual analysis. This self-service capability enables real-time detection while reducing the burden on caregivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated detection systems are implemented to detect PVAs in real-time, then detection speed improves, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection algorithm is segmented into distinct functional modules: waveform acquisition, cardiogenic artefact identification, PVA detection, and notification generation. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through modular components, each handling a specific aspect of the detection process, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that automatically filters and pre-processes waveform data before final PVA detection. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of signal processing and artefact removal, allowing the main detection algorithm to focus on identifying PVAs without direct exposure to raw, complex signal data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If manual waveform analysis is used, then the system remains simple, but it fails to account for cardiogenic artefacts leading to missed asynchrony detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the previously harmful cardiogenic artefacts into useful diagnostic information. Instead of simply filtering out these artefacts as noise, the system identifies and characterizes them, using their patterns to improve the detection of PVAs. This transforms the complicating factor into a beneficial feature that enhances detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters used for waveform analysis by incorporating multiple frequency domains and time-varying characteristics. By analyzing waveforms in different frequency ranges and temporal contexts, the system can distinguish between cardiogenic artefacts and genuine PVA signals, improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If real-time automated detection is implemented, then patient outcomes improve by reducing asynchrony events, but the computational resources and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient outcomeVSAvoidcomputational energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary signal processing and feature extraction in advance, preparing waveform data and identifying potential artefact patterns before final PVA detection is required. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during real-time detection events, allowing the system to maintain high reliability while managing energy consumption more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables near-real-time detection and resolution of PVAs, reducing patient discomfort and undesirable outcomes by automatically adjusting ventilator settings based on cardiogenic indices, thereby minimizing asynchrony events and improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

using standardized data points, fast Fourier transforms, and power spectrum analysis to identify cardiogenic components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFast Fourier Transform:

Implementation Method 2

using standardized data points, fast Fourier transforms, and power spectrum analysis to identify cardiogenic components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower spectrum analysis:

Data Source

PatentEP4208236B1Estimation of cardiogenic artefacts on ventilator airway pressure and flow for the automated detection and resolution of patient ventilator asynchronies
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4208236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4208236B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4208236B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5D

AI summary

A method of identifying the occurrence of patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) includes using a cardiogenic index generated from a number of breath attribute signals measured by ventilators. The method can be implemented in a ventilator by a controller that includes a machine learning model trained to use the cardiogenic index and other features extracted from ventilator waveforms to identify the occurrence of PVAs. A ventilator equipped with such a controller can provide real-time alerts to a caregiver that a PVA has occurred so that the ventilator settings can be adjusted.