Systems, devices, and methods for ambulatory respiration assistance
Inventors
Swoboda, Michal • Swoboda, Marek
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11839587-B1
Publication Date
2023-12-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and devices described herein provide respiration assistance to users who have difficulty breathing on their own, and include a cuirass configured to be coupled to a thorax of the user and a ventilator fluidically coupled to the cuirass. The ventilator includes a housing, a pump including an inlet and outlet, a valve, an actuator, and a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the actuator to: move the valve into a first configuration in which a first flow path of the valve fluidically couples the outlet to the cuirass and a second flow path of the valve fluidically couples the inlet to an external environment during exhalation and move the valve into a second configuration in which the first flow path fluidically couples the inlet to the cuirass and the second flow path fluidically couples the outlet to the internal volume during inhalation.
Core Innovation
An ambulatory external positive/negative pressure respiration assistance system includes a cuirass configured to be coupled to at least a portion of at least one of a thorax or abdomen of a user so that a first internal volume is defined between a surface of the cuirass and the at least portion. A ventilator is coupled to the cuirass so as to be outside of and in fluid communication with the first internal volume.
The ventilator includes a housing defining a second internal volume and at least one opening to allow air to flow into or out of the housing, and a pump disposed in the second internal volume with an inlet and an outlet. A valve disposed in the second internal volume defines a first flow path and a second flow path through the valve, and an actuator operatively couples to the valve. A controller in communication with the actuator is configured so that responsive to determining that the user is exhaling, the actuator moves the valve into a first configuration that fluidically couples the outlet to the first internal volume and couples the inlet to the second internal volume, and responsive to determining that the user is inhaling, the actuator moves the valve into a second configuration that fluidically couples the inlet to the first internal volume and couples the outlet to the second internal volume.
The ventilator housing includes a wall disposed in the second internal volume that separates the second internal volume into a first portion fluidically coupled to an external environment through the at least one opening and a second portion within which the pump, the valve, and the actuator are disposed. The wall defines a plurality of openings configured to reduce a sound level as air passes between the first portion and the second portion, and the system further includes sealing member structures that form a fluid-tight seal between the cuirass and at least a portion of the user's thorax or abdomen during both inhaling and exhaling.
The system also includes airflow distribution features and fluid routing via a manifold, including multi-channel air routing configured to distribute air between the pump and the first internal volume and an external environment. Valve and flow member structures define flow paths within the system, including configurations using a rotational valve about a central axis and flow openings on a single planar surface, and a flow member defining axial flow channels with diffuser slots and secondary flow channels.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides an ambulatory respiration assistance system with a cuirass defining a first internal volume, a ventilator housing defining a second internal volume, a pump and a valve whose flow paths are switched based on whether the user is exhaling or inhaling, and a sound-reducing wall with a plurality of openings. Additional inventive features are further defined in dependent claims, including specific valve actuation orientations, valve opening geometry, manifold multi-channel routing, intermediate pump-valve positioning, and sealing member structures.
Cuirass defining a first internal volume coupled to thorax or abdomen
A cuirass configured to be coupled to at least a portion of at least one of a thorax or abdomen of a user such that a first internal volume is defined between a surface of the cuirass and the at least portion.
Ventilator outside housing in fluid communication with the first internal volume
A ventilator coupled to the cuirass so as to be outside of and in fluid communication with the first internal volume, where the ventilator includes a housing defining a second internal volume and at least one opening to allow air to flow into or out of the housing.
Pump and valve with switched inlet/outlet to the first internal volume
A pump disposed in the second internal volume with an inlet and an outlet, and a valve disposed in the second internal volume defining a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein a controller responsive to determining inhaling or exhaling causes the actuator to move the valve into a first configuration or a second configuration that respectively couples inlet/outlet to the first internal volume and the second internal volume.
Sound-reducing wall separating pump/valve portion from external environment
A housing wall disposed in the second internal volume separating the second internal volume into a first portion fluidically coupled to an external environment through the at least one opening and a second portion within which the pump, the valve, and the actuator are disposed, where the wall defines a plurality of openings configured to reduce a sound level as air passes between the first portion and the second portion.
Valve rotation about central axis to set two configurations
The valve actuator rotates the valve about a central axis to move the valve into first and second angular orientations via opposite rotational directions.
Valve flow paths defined by openings on a single planar surface
A valve arrangement in which the first and second flow path fluidically couple respective inlet/outlet to the first internal volume and second internal volume through openings defined on a single planar surface of the valve.
Manifold defining multiple fluid channels for pump, first internal volume, and external volume
A manifold coupled to the pump to define multiple fluid channels, including a channel coupled to the pump outlet, a second channel configured to couple to a first internal volume when a cuirass is attached to a user’s thorax or abdomen, a third channel coupled to a volume external to the manifold, and a fourth channel coupled to the pump inlet.
Intermediate third valve orientation to communicate with both pump inlet and outlet
A controller configuration where the actuator-linked valve is rotated among first, second, and a third orientation so that one flow path is placed in fluid communication with both the pump inlet and the pump outlet.
Soft flexible skirt sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal
A sealing member made of relatively soft and flexible material that forms a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the cuirass into the first internal volume to create a fluid-tight seal with at least the portion of the at least one of the user's thorax or abdomen during both inhaling and exhaling.
Across the independent claim and dependent refinements, coverage centers on an ambulatory cuirass-based ventilation system that switches valve flow paths between inhalation and exhalation to couple the pump inlet and outlet to the first internal volume and the second internal volume, while a sound-reducing wall with multiple openings reduces noise as air transitions between external and pump/valve portions. Dependent features further specify valve rotation/orientation geometry, manifold multi-channel routing, intermediate pump/valve communication via a third orientation, and a soft flexible skirt sealing member that maintains a fluid-tight seal during both inhaling and exhaling.
Stated Advantages
Reduces a sound level as air passes between the first portion and the second portion.
Documented Applications
Ambulatory external positive/negative pressure respiration assistance for COPD/DOE.
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