Wired Connections for Smart Breathing Circuit Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical ventilator systems require time-consuming self-tests to determine pneumatic characteristics of breathing circuits, which delays patient connection and ventilation, especially when components are changed.

Innovation Solution

The integration of electrical conductors and identification circuits in pneumatic components allows for the emission of interrogation signals to determine pneumatic characteristics automatically, reducing the need for traditional self-tests by analyzing electrical characteristics to identify and characterize pneumatic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional self-tests are used to determine pneumatic characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumatic characteristic determinationVSAvoidself-test time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional pneumatic self-tests with electrical measurement methods. Electrical conductors are integrated into pneumatic components, allowing the ventilator to send electrical signals through the breathing circuit to determine pneumatic characteristics. This substitution of electrical measurement for pneumatic testing dramatically reduces test time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical conductors as an intermediary medium to transfer information about pneumatic characteristics. These conductors carry electrical signals that reflect the electrical characteristics of the pneumatic path, enabling indirect measurement of pneumatic properties without direct pneumatic testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If electrical conductors are integrated into pneumatic components, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient connection speedVSAvoidpneumatic component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electrical conductors with pneumatic components by integrating them during manufacturing. The electrical conductors are incorporated into the structure of pneumatic components such as filters, humidifiers, and tubing, creating unified components that serve both pneumatic and electrical functions. This merging enables rapid identification and characterization without adding separate, independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach enables rapid determination of pneumatic characteristics, allowing for immediate patient connection and optimized ventilation settings, reducing delays and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first electrical conductor is electrically connected with the second electrical conductor in an electric path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The first electrical characteristic is at least one of electrical impedance, electrical resistance, electrical capacitance, or electrical inductance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

The first electrical characteristic is at least one of electrical impedance, electrical resistance, electrical capacitance, or electrical inductance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

The first electrical characteristic is at least one of electrical impedance, electrical resistance, electrical capacitance, or electrical inductance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical inductance: Inductor

Data Source

PatentUS20230109332A1Wired connections for smart breathing circuits

Publication Date: 2023.04.06 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A ventilation system that includes a pressure source, a pneumatic path configured to receive gas from the pressure source and comprising a first pneumatic component coupled to a second pneumatic component. The first pneumatic component includes a first electrical conductor including a first electrical component having a first electrical characteristic. The second pneumatic component comprises a second electrical conductor including a second electrical component having a second electrical characteristic. The first electrical conductor is electrically connected with the second electrical conductor in an electric path. The system performs operations including determining a continuity of the electrical path; displaying a notification regarding the continuity of the electrical path; detecting the unique electrical characteristic of the electric path; and determining a pneumatic characteristic of the pneumatic path.