Wedge-Shaped Oscillating Volume Pulmonary Ventilator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilator systems face challenges in consistently delivering high frequency pressure waves across the full human size range, from infants to large adults, and struggle to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels due to heating issues, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-shaped oscillating volume system with a fixed plate and a pivoting plate joined by pleated bellows, utilizing electromotive sub-systems and magnetic mechanisms to create a high frequency pressure wave, adjustable in amplitude and duty cycle, to effectively ventilate patients with varying body sizes and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high oscillation frequency is used for effective ventilation, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but air temperature control deteriorates making it difficult to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The air delivery system is segmented into separate pathways: a main air supply line and a supplemental air line. This segmentation allows independent control of air streams, enabling the main line to deliver high-frequency pressure waves for effective ventilation while the supplemental line introduces cooler ambient air to control temperature and humidity levels of the mixed air reaching the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
A mixing chamber or junction acts as an intermediary between the hot high-frequency air stream and the cooler ambient air supply. This intermediary zone allows thermal and humidity exchange, enabling temperature and humidity control while maintaining the high-frequency pressure wave characteristics needed for effective ventilation.
2Quantity of substance
If the ventilator is designed for larger adults requiring high air volumes, then capacity for large patients is improved, but consistency in delivering high frequency pressure waves at low air volumes for smaller patients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamically adjustable components including variable frequency oscillation mechanisms and adjustable pressure wave generators. These dynamic elements allow the ventilator to maintain consistent high-frequency pressure wave delivery across a wide range of air volumes, adapting automatically or manually to match the specific needs of patients from small infants to large adults.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilator is designed with universal applicability through multi-functional components that can operate effectively across different patient sizes. The oscillating mechanism and pressure wave generation system are engineered to maintain performance consistency whether delivering low air volumes for neonates or high air volumes for adults, making a single device suitable for the full human size range.
3Quantity of substance
If the ventilator is designed for smaller patients requiring low air volumes, then suitability for small patients is improved, but capacity to deliver high frequency pressure waves at high air volumes for larger patients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically scalable air delivery mechanisms that can adjust output volume while maintaining frequency characteristics. The oscillating flow generator and pressure wave system are designed with variable amplitude capabilities, allowing the same device to deliver appropriately scaled air volumes for small patients while retaining the capacity to generate high-frequency pressure waves at higher volumes when needed for larger patients.
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 system enables efficient high frequency pulmonary ventilation, ensuring consistent delivery of pressure waves across the full human size range, maintaining temperature and humidity levels, and effectively supporting patients with distressed pulmonary systems or traumatic injuries.
Implementation Method 1
A first electromotive sub-system analogous to an electromagnetic door lock is used for the primary movement of the pivoting plate of the wedge shaped variable volume
Implementation Method 2
a second electromotive sub-system including at least one rare earth magnet and a corresponding coil is used to nudge the pivoting plate into magnetic engagement with the first electromotive sub-system
Data Source
AI summary
Pulmonary ventilator methods and systems are provided winch include a housing having a user interface control panel; a pneumatic circuit for delivering a high frequency pressure wave from the housing to a patient lung; a variable volume disposed within the housing including a stationary plate secured to the housing and a reciprocating plate pivotably mounted with respect to the stationary plate; and a magnet assembly disposed within the housing and configured to pivot the reciprocating plate. The variable volume may also include a resiliently contractible section extending between and joining a portion of the stationary plate and a portion of the reciprocating plate, wherein the resiliently contractible section may be in the form of a bellows and/or a pleated material.