Ventilatory Support for Non-Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PAP therapy is inadequate for treating non-obstructive sleep disordered breathing (SDB) due to its inability to address irregular breathing patterns effectively, often causing discomfort and requiring cumbersome diagnostic processes to determine the primary cause of SDB before appropriate treatment can be administered.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provide intermittent ventilatory support by analyzing breathing patterns to determine when to supply airflow in a predetermined pattern, specifically using a short series of mechanical breaths when the breathing pattern falls below a threshold, to assist patients with non-obstructive SDB without excessive pressure, and to diagnose the primary cause of SDB such as CSR, hypercapnic hypoventilation, or OHS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PAP therapy is applied to treat non-obstructive SDB, then airway pressure is maintained to prevent collapse, but the therapy causes discomfort and is insufficient for irregular breathing patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by delivering ventilatory support in cyclic patterns that synchronize with the patient's natural breathing cycles. The system provides support during inspiration and reduces it during expiration, creating a rhythmic pattern that matches physiological breathing rather than applying continuous pressure. This periodic delivery reduces discomfort while maintaining treatment effectiveness for irregular breathing patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the ventilatory support adaptable and variable rather than static. The system continuously monitors breathing patterns and adjusts support levels in real-time based on detected respiratory needs. This dynamic adjustment allows the therapy to respond to changing breathing conditions, providing appropriate support without causing discomfort from fixed, potentially excessive pressure levels.
2Reliability
If constant pressure PAP therapy is used, then airway obstruction is addressed, but irregular breathing patterns during sleep are not effectively treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the patient's breathing patterns and using this information to adjust ventilatory support delivery. Sensors detect respiratory rate, tidal volume, and breathing effort, and this feedback is processed to modulate the support provided. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to irregular breathing patterns while maintaining airway patency, addressing both airway obstruction and breathing rhythm variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a ventilatory support system that can handle multiple types of breathing abnormalities within a single device. The system is capable of treating both obstructive events and irregular breathing patterns, adjusting its mode of support based on the detected condition. This multi-functional capability allows one system to address diverse SDB presentations without requiring separate specialized devices.
3Reliability
If diagnostic processes are performed to determine the primary cause of SDB, then appropriate treatment can be selected, but diagnostic delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing diagnostic assessment and treatment initiation simultaneously rather than sequentially. The system begins providing ventilatory support while concurrently analyzing breathing patterns to determine the underlying cause of SDB. This approach eliminates the waiting period between diagnosis and treatment onset, as the therapeutic intervention starts immediately and diagnostic information is gathered during the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements merging by combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single integrated system. The ventilatory support device simultaneously delivers treatment and collects diagnostic data about the patient's breathing patterns and respiratory mechanics. This consolidation of functions eliminates the need for separate diagnostic procedures and treatment initiation, reducing overall time loss while maintaining accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing ventilatory support to a patient suffering from sleep disordered breathing (SDB), in particular, non-obstructive SDB, such as Cheyne Stokes respiration and hypoventilation, including obesity hypoventilation syndrome. The system and method monitor obtain data corresponding to a breathing pattern of a patient and determine when the patient experiences oscillating breathing or low spontaneous ventilation. In particular, the system and method determine when the patient's real-time breathing patterns fall below a predetermined baseline threshold, and subsequently initiate a short series of mechanical breaths to be delivered to the patient.