Description:DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to medical equipment;
More particularly, the present invention relates to an electromechanical device for providing artificial respiration to a patient in case of emergency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Artificial breath supporting systems or artificial respirator device is a machine that helps the lungs work. Such machines are normally used to augment the breathing process. In modern-day medical practice, the artificial respirator devices are functioning based on a number of variables that are routinely controlled in order to achieve adequate ventilation of the patient. These controlled variables include the percentage of oxygen content delivered to the patient's lungs, the breath rate per minute delivered to the patient, and the tidal volume or total volume of air interchanged in each breath. Secondary variables which are important in specific patients include positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the time of inspiration and expiration in relation to the overall cycle of the breath, and the peak flow rate of gas being delivered during a breath. These latter variables may be controlled by a physician as required to overcome certain disease or injury-related processes or degradations of the lungs.
The conventionally available artificial respirators are not portable and possess a complex operating system, also they are costly and are not affordable for small clinics, ambulances, individuals etc. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) type of ventilators are intentionally designed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. They can be used for artificial respiration but they are not reliable and intended for emergency artificial respiration. Further, the Bag Valve Mask (BVM) is a manually operated device. As such devices requires human efforts for its operation, it cannot be operated for more than 10 to 15 min. Also, one cannot guarantee for consistency for every breath delivery.
A prior art technique disclosed in IN202131053460 a mechanized assistive device that helps a patient to breathe when they cannot breathe on their own due to critical illness or any other defects and infections comprises a frame that contains an end supporting structure and a front supporting structure; a primary crank connected to the front supporting structure through a shaft configured to rotate in a uniform angular velocity; a secondary crank engaged with a crank slider such that the center of the secondary crank is at an eccentric distance from the center of the primary crank; a stroke changing mechanism assembly enclosed in a stationary casing connected to the secondary crank in a rigid manner to rotate with the rotation of secondary crank; an air and oxygen chamber extendedly connected to a couple of air and oxygen chamber connecting rods for air and oxygen delivery, and a mixing chamber extendedly connected to a mixing chamber connecting rod to a proximal end of the mixing chamber for pumping air and oxygen mixture to the patient. The low-cost and simple operational mechanized ventilator device maintains adequate gas exchange to satisfy metabolic demands including oxygenation of and/or elimination of CO2 during intermittent or continuous mechanical ventilation of the patient. Here, the stroke changing mechanism in the device is manually operated and the mechanism needs to be balanced correctly for proper results.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an electromechanical device for providing artificial respiration to a patient in case of emergency that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art techniques.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to deliver artificial breath to a patient during emergency situations.
Further object of the present invention is to provide first aid to patients who faced respiratory failure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide artificial respiration devices and automate the function of the Bag Valve Mask (BVM).
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, light-in-weight artificial respiration device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as a solution to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems recognized by the inventor in conventional practices and existing state of the art.
The present disclosure seeks to provide an electromechanical device for artificial respiration.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the electromechanical device for artificial respiration to a patient includes a Bag Valve Mask (BVM), an electromechanical actuator assembly, and electronic circuitry.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the BVM is a self-inflating bag that is manually pumped to provide artificial breath.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the electromechanical actuator compresses the BVM using a plunger arm of semi-cylindrical shape. The electromechanical actuator assembly includes a ball screw, linear motion guideway, and electric motor. The ball screw converts rotary motion into translatory motion, while the linear motion guideway provides support and direction to the elements mounted over the ball screw assembly, resulting in a mechanical actuator assembly that minimizes frictional losses and reduces maintenance.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the electronic circuitry includes a control unit, an optocoupler, a three-way selector switch for tidal volume, another three-way selector switch for breaths per minute, and a breath monitoring sensor.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the control unit is a microcontroller consisting of a signal processing unit and memory unit, which manipulates and/or generates signals in accordance with the given set of instructions. The optocoupler is used to monitor the position of the plunger arm and provide position feedback to the control unit.
According to further aspect of the present invention, the breath monitoring sensor serves an important role in monitoring the patient's breathing pattern, and a closed loop control process which is also known as assist control process can be activated to synchronize the device with the patient’s natural breathing pattern.
According to further aspect of the present invention, a 12V SMPS is used to provide power to all electronic and electric components in the device. When the device is turned on, the plunger arm is maintained at its home position, which is determined by the closed feedback loop wherein the optocoupler detects the position of the plunger arm.
The objects and the advantages of the invention are achieved by the process elaborated in the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings as well as experimental results. The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification and illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the electromechanical device for artificial respiration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the electromechanical device for artificial respiration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a top view of the electromechanical device for artificial respiration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the mechanism without Bag valve mask (BVM) and rest plate of Bag valve mask (BVM);
Figure 5 shows a top view of the mechanism without Bag valve mask (BVM) and rest plate of Bag valve mask (BVM);
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the electromechanical actuator assembly;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the electromechanical actuator assembly;
Figure 8 shows flowchart of working principle of the electromechanical device for artificial respiration.
Detailed description of the invention
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which the disclosed embodiments can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The present invention provides an electromechanical device (100) for artificial respiration. The said device (100) is configured to augment the breathing process by maintaining adequate gas exchange to satisfy respiratory demands including oxygenation of and/or elimination of CO2 during continuous mechanical ventilation of a patient.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in brackets in the following description.
The device (100) comprises of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) (1), an electromechanical actuator assembly and electronic circuitry. The BVM (1) is a self-inflatory bag made up of silicon also known as Ambu bag or manual resuscitator bag used to provide artificial breath by manually pumping. BVM (1) has an oxygen reservoir bag, a face mask and an oxygen inlet.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the BVM (1) is being compressed by the electromechanical actuator. A plunger arm (2) of semi cylindrical shape is attached to the electromechanical actuator which compresses the BVM (1). The semi cylindrical shape of the plunger arm (2) offers space to the BVM (1) to deform freely without inducing the stress points and folds which occurs during the compression of BVM (1).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electromechanical actuator assembly comprises of the ball screw (3), linear motion guideway (4) and an electric motor (5). The ball screw (3) converts the rotary motion into translatory motion as the nut of ball screw (3) moves forward or backward as per the direction of rotation. In present invention, the ball screw (3) is mounted on a mounting plate of ball screw (13) by use of thrust bearings (14) which allows rotary motion to the ball screw (3) but restricts the axial translatory motion of the screw, hence only nut can move forward or backward.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the linear motion guideway (4) comprises of a carriage moving on a rail and having rolling contact elements between the carriage and rail. The combination of ball screw (3) and linear motion guideway (4) allows the motion of elements mounted over ball screw’s nut with very minimum friction and reduces the maintenance. The linear motion guideway (4) is placed below the ball screw (3) parallel to ball screw’s axis. The carriage of linear motion guideway (4) provides support to the elements mounted over ball screw’s assembly and provides direction to them. Hence, the combination of ball screw (3) and linear motion guideway (4) results into the mechanical actuator assembly which minimizes the frictional losses and reduces the maintenance of overall system. The ball screw (3) can be directly coupled to the electric motor (5) and alternatively, it be coupled by using a simple gear train. In present invention a simple gear train (6) of gear ratio (2:1) is used.
The electric motor (5), more preferably a DC servo motor is used to drive the mechanical actuator assembly with high precision, accuracy, and repeatability. The combination of ball screw (3), linear motion guideway (4) (conjointly mechanical actuator) and electric motor (5) conjointly forms electro-mechanical actuator.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic circuitry comprises of the control unit (7), an optocoupler (9), three-way selector switch for tidal volume (10), another three way selector switch for breaths per minute (11) and a breath monitoring sensor.
The control unit (7) can be one or more microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor or any kind of signal manipulator which manipulates and/or generates signals in accordance to the given set of instructions.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (7) is a microcontroller consisting of a signal processing unit and memory unit. The optocoupler (9) is a customized electronic sensor placed near the plunger arm (2) to monitor the position of plunger arm and provide the position feedback to the control unit (7). The plunger arm needs to be placed at its outer dead center (ODC) (referred as the ‘Home position’ hereinafter). The optocoupler (9) is used to determine the home position of plunger arm (2) during initializing the device (100).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a breath monitoring sensor is provided with the device (100) as it serves an important role of monitoring of the patient’s breathing pattern. A closed loop control process can be activated whenever necessary to synchronize the working of the device (100) with the patient’s natural breathing pattern. A breath cycle is triggered with the help of breath monitoring sensor. A 12V SMPS (8) is used to provide the power to all electronic and electric components in the device (100). SMPS is a device which converts AC supply into stable DC supply as per requirement.
In the present invention 12V SMPS (8) is used to power the electric motor (5) and further 5V DC supply is drawn out from SMPS by use of IC 7805 to power the microcontroller and other electronic components which works on 5V DC supply.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the device (100) is turned on, the plunger arm (2) is maintained at its home position. The home position is determined by the closed feedback loop wherein the optocoupler (9) detects the position of plunger arm (2).
When the electric motor (5) rotates in one direction, the rotary motion is transferred to the ball screw (3) and nut of ball screw and hence the plunger arm (2) moves towards the BVM (1) (Forward stroke), As BVM gets compressed, it provides the necessary breathing air to the patient through the face mask. Further the rotation of electric motor (5) in opposite direction causes the motion of plunger arm (2) in opposite direction that is away from the BVM (1) (backward stroke).
Thus, combination of one forward and one backward stroke produces one breath cycle. The number of such breath cycles in one minute is called as Breaths per minute (BPM) and the amount of breathing air provided to the patient in one breath cycle is called as Tidal volume. The Breaths per minute is dependent on the number of forward and backward strokes performed by the device (100) in one minute wherein stroke length in each breath cycle determines the tidal volume. Further, the stroke length is directly proportional to the number of rotations performed by the ball screw (3) and hence number of rotations performed by the electric motor (5). The instructions of breaths per minute and tidal volume are to be set by use of three-way selector switches wherein one selector switch (10) is used to set tidal volume and another selector switch (11) is used to set breaths per minute. This set of instruction is provided to the control unit (7) where the control unit passes the necessary signals to the electric motor (5). A breath cycle can be triggered as per patient’s attempt to breath by activating the assist control process of breath synchronization whenever necessary. The device can be operated on 230V, 50Hz mains supply or on 12VDC battery supply.
Advantages of the invention:
- The device (100) is cost-effective, portable, and has a less complicated design.
- By automating the function of the bag valve mask in the device (100), the human efforts are reduced and consistency over each breath delivery is gained successfully, also it can be operated for more time when compared to manual operation.
- The device (100) design requires lesser maintenance and reduced human efforts.
- The device (100) is configured to operate for more than 1 hours with extreme consistency in every breath delivery.
- The device (100) is designed to be affordable for small clinics, ambulances, individuals etc.
- The choice of the mechanical actuator in the device (100) i.e. ball screw instead of hydraulic or pneumatic actuator reduces manufacturing cost and leads to a less complex and portable design.
- In the device (100) the soft material like nylon used for the plunger arm does not damage the Ambu bag during compression.
- In the device (100), the semi-cylindrical shape allows free space for deformations occurring in the ball valve mask/Ambu bag during its compression.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. An electromechanical device for artificial respiration, the said device comprising:
- a bag valve mask (1) having an oxygen reservoir bag, a face mask, and an oxygen inlet;
- a semi-cylindrical plunger arm (2);
- an electromechanical actuator assembly consisting a ball screw (3), a linear motion guideway (4), and an electric motor (5);
- an electronic circuitry including a control unit (7), an optocoupler (9), a breath monitoring sensor;
- a switch mode power supply (8);
characterized by a breath monitoring sensor that serves to monitor the patient’s breathing pattern and activate an assist control process to synchronize the device’s operation with the patient’s natural breathing pattern.
2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electromechanical actuator assembly is used to automate the operation of the bag valve mask (BVM), providing artificial respiration to the patient in a controlled manner.
3. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ball screw (3) mounted on mounting plate (13) by use of thrust bearings (14) allows rotary motion to ball screw but translatory displacement of ball screw is restricted.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-cylindrical plunger arm (2) attached to the ball screw (3) is designed to compress the bag valve mask (1) without inducing any stress points and folds.
5. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein linear motion guideway (4) consists of a carriage moving on a rail and is fixed under the ball screw (3) parallel to ball screw’s (3) axis to support and direct the plunger arm (2) for compression of bag valve mask (1) minimizing frictional losses.
6. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the stroke length is directly proportional to the number of rotations performed by the ball screw (3) and hence number of rotations performed by the electric motor (5).
7. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein two independent three-way selector switches (10) are used to set input values, amongst which one selector switch (10) is used to set tidal volume and another selector switch (11) is used to set breaths per minute.
8. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plunger arm (2) is maintained at home position which is determined by the closed feedback loop wherein the optocoupler (9) detects the position of plunger arm (2).
9. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the optocoupler (9) is a customized electronic sensor placed near the plunger arm (2) to monitor its position and provide position feedback to the control unit (7).
10. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electric motor (5) when rotates in one direction, the rotary motion is transferred to the ball screw (3) and nut of ball screw and the plunger arm (2) moves towards the bag valve mask (1) (Forward stroke); and when the electric motor (5) rotates in opposite direction, it causes the motion of plunger arm (2) in opposite direction moving it away from the bag valve mask (1) (backward stroke).