Emergency-use respiratory device

Inventors

Brantley, Matthew R. • Curtice, Raymond

Assignees

Baylor University

Abstract

A portable ventilator device suitable for emergency use, such as cardiac pulmonary resuscitation and well as ventilation in non-cardiac induced medical events. The device is connected to a display screen that receives simple inputs from an operator, including height, weight, or sex of the distressed patient, but does not require input of more complicated variables, such as tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory airflow, or positive end-expiratory pressure. Based on the input height, weight, and/or sex, the device automatically correlates the input values with probably values for tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory airflow, or positive end-expiratory pressure, based previous data point correlations. The device then begins delivering air from a ventilator to the patient based on the estimated, correlated values. While the device utilizes simple inputs, it still capable of operating in multiple modes with both pressure control and volume control.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a portable emergency ventilator system designed to be operated by non-medical professionals without prior training, especially in emergency situations where immediate respiratory support is crucial. The device features a user-friendly display interface that accepts simple patient input parameters such as height, weight, and sex, instead of requiring complicated variables like tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory airflow, or positive end-expiratory pressure. These simple inputs are automatically correlated by the device's controller with appropriate ventilator settings based on previous data point correlations stored in memory or a database. Once the data is input, the ventilator begins delivering air based on these estimated, correlated values.

The core problem addressed is the complexity and inaccessibility of conventional ventilators for non-medically trained individuals, particularly in urgent scenarios outside medical centers, where the risk of incorrect usage may result in patient harm. The existing systems often require an understanding of precise medical parameters that average users cannot provide, thereby limiting the use of ventilators in emergency settings such as homes, businesses, and public spaces. Additionally, the cost and operational difficulty deter broader adoption of these life-saving devices.

This system's controller is operable in multiple modes, including spontaneous and mandatory breath support modes, which can be automatically selected and switched in response to patient sensor data. It includes networked features such as geolocation sensors and wireless modules to communicate the patient's location to medical professionals, as well as pictorial and audio instructions to guide lay users through setup and operation. By providing hospital-level ventilator sophistication with highly simplified inputs and autonomous operating parameter adjustments, the invention enables rapid, safe deployment of emergency ventilation across various environments without risking user error from complex setup.

Claims Coverage

There are three main independent claims outlining the inventive features of the portable emergency ventilator system.

In summary, the inventive features protect a portable emergency ventilator system that can be operated by untrained users through simple inputs, automatically sets and adjusts clinical parameters, communicates geolocation data, integrates physical design elements for portability and storage, and autonomously shifts modes of operation based on patient data.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications