Systems and methods for tracking spontaneous breathing in a mechanically ventilated patient
Inventors
Elia, Liron • Iddan, Gavriel J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10864337-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is provided system for monitoring spontaneous breathing of a mechanically ventilated target individual, comprising: a feeding tube for insertion into a distal end of an esophagus of the individual, sensor(s) disposed on the feeding tube at a location such that the sensor(s) is located at the distal end of the esophagus of the individual when the feeding tube is in use, wherein the sensor(s) is positioned for sensing values by contact with the tissue of the esophagus including a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or tissue in proximity to the LES, and code for computing an indication of a frequency band of diaphragm movement of the individual according to an analysis of values sensed by the sensor(s), and for adjustment of parameter(s) of a mechanical ventilator for mechanically ventilating the individual, wherein the instructions for adjustment are computed while the feeding tube is in use.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for mechanically ventilating a target individual by using a feeding tube inserted into a distal end of an esophagus. The feeding tube includes at least one sensor comprising at least one electrode positioned near a distal portion of the feeding tube so that, during use, the electrode is located at the distal end of the esophagus and contacts tissue including at least one of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and tissue in proximity to the LES to sense impedance values.
From the sensed impedance values, a computing device extracts a frequency band of diaphragm movement and a phase of the diaphragm movement. The impedance values include much larger amplitude signals generated based on a mechanical ventilator, while the extraction targets diaphragm movement within the frequency band and phase.
The computed instructions adjust ventilation frequencies and ventilation phases of the mechanical ventilator by synchronizing a waveform of the ventilator to the waveform of the diaphragm movement in frequency band and phase of diaphragm movement. The instructions are computed while the feeding tube is in use for feeding the individual and while the electrode senses impedance values by contacting the tissue of the esophagus including at least one of the LES and tissue in proximity to the LES.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims: a system claim and a method claim. Across these independent claims, the core coverage includes three inventive features: esophageal placement of impedance electrodes near the LES via a feeding tube, extraction of a diaphragm-movement frequency band and diaphragm-movement phase from impedance values that include ventilator-associated signals, and adjustment of ventilator ventilation frequencies and ventilation phases by synchronizing the ventilator waveform to a diaphragm-movement waveform while the tube remains in use.
Feeding tube with impedance electrode near the LES
A feeding tube for insertion into a distal end of an esophagus, having at least one sensor comprising at least one electrode for sensing impedance values disposed near a distal end of the feeding tube, wherein the electrode is located at the distal end of the esophagus during use and is positioned for sensing impedance values when contacting tissue including at least one of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and tissue in proximity to the LES.
Extracting diaphragm movement frequency band and phase from impedance
Extract a frequency band of diaphragm movement and a phase of the diaphragm movement from impedance values sensed by the electrode, where the impedance values include much larger amplitude signals generated based on a mechanical ventilator.
Synchronizing ventilator waveform to diaphragm movement via frequency and phase adjustment
Compute instructions to adjust ventilation frequencies and ventilation phases of the mechanical ventilator by synchronizing to a waveform of the diaphragm movement in the frequency band and phase of diaphragm movement for matching a waveform of the ventilator to the waveform of the diaphragm movement.
Computing while the feeding tube is in use during sensing
Compute the instructions to adjust the ventilation frequencies and ventilation phases while the feeding tube is in use for feeding the individual and while the electrode senses impedance values by contacting tissue of the esophagus including at least one of the LES and tissue in proximity to the LES.
The independent claims collectively cover an esophageal impedance-sensing feeding tube near the LES, extraction of diaphragm-movement frequency band and phase from impedance values that include ventilator-generated amplitude signals, and ventilation control by synchronizing ventilator frequency and phase to the diaphragm-movement waveform, with computation performed while the feeding tube remains in use.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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