Ventilator comprising operating device having haptic feedback

Inventors

Himmelstoss, Matthias • Lendenmann, Urs

Abstract

A ventilation device for mechanically ventilating patients includes an operating device for setting at least one ventilation parameter. The operating device includes a manipulation element that can be manually operated by an operator to manually set the at least one ventilation parameter, and a control unit operable to automatically determine a target value for the at least one ventilation parameter on the basis of detected values of characteristic variables. The operating device is provided with a first haptic feedback unit configured to control the manipulation element in terms of a first haptic feedback to provide perceptible feedback, emphasizing the position of the manipulation element corresponding to the target value determined by the control unit.

Core Innovation

A ventilation device for mechanical ventilation includes an operating device with a manipulation element that is manually operable by an operator to set at least one ventilation parameter. A control unit receives detected values of characteristic variables and executes a software routine to automatically determine a target value for the ventilation parameter. The control unit links detected characteristic-variable values to an automatically determined target value for the parameter that the operator sets using the manipulation element.

A haptic feedback unit interacts with the manipulation element in response to the control unit’s target determination. The haptic feedback unit controls the manipulation element by application of haptic feedback so that a position of the manipulation element corresponding to the target value is emphasized and perceptible for the operator. During manual manipulation, the haptic feedback unit generates an abrupt change in the haptic feedback when the manipulation element passes a position corresponding to the target value.

The haptic feedback unit can also generate haptic feedback based on deviation between the currently set value corresponding to the current position of the manipulation element and the target value determined by the control unit. The disclosure further describes moving or urging the manipulation element toward or back to positions corresponding to the target value and applying spring-like restoring force or restoring moment via the manipulation element, including a rest position. The target determination and the use of deviation ranges can be implemented continuously and synchronized with breathing cycles, optionally including background automated ventilation modes used for haptic guidance.

Claims Coverage

The document includes two independent claims. Across these claims, the haptic feedback behavior is driven by a control unit that automatically determines a target value from detected characteristic variables, while the operator manually sets a ventilation parameter using a manipulation element.

The independent claims cover a manual operating device with a manipulation element, combined with a control unit that automatically determines a target ventilation-parameter value from detected characteristic variables, and a haptic feedback unit that provides target- and deviation-based haptic feedback. One claim emphasizes and marks the target-corresponding manipulation-element position, including an abrupt haptic change at the target position, while the other generates haptic feedback based on deviation between the current ventilation-parameter value and the control-determined target value.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications