SYSTEM FOR INDICATING AN AT-RISK SITUATION FOR A LUNG VENTILATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for indicating an at-risk situation for a lung ventilator, comprising a screen (1) that displays at least one fixed-size drawing element (2) representing the lungs being ventilated, in which the shade of the drawing element switches according to predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. System for indicating an at-risk situation for lung ventilator, characterized in that it comprises a screen that displays at least one drawing element of fixed size representing the lungs being ventilated, in which the shade of the drawing element switches according to criteria predetermined.

2. System for indicating an at-risk situation lung ventilator, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the shade alternation of the fixed size drawing element is changed between: a dark shade when a first predetermined criterion is met; an intermediate shade of dark color when a second predetermined criterion is met; and a light shade when a third predetermined criterion is met.

3. System for indicating an at-risk situation for lung ventilator, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that, the drawing element further comprises a broken outline with flashing elements when a fourth predetermined criterion is met.

4. System for indicating an at-risk situation for lung ventilator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed-size drawing element is a drawing of lungs.

5. System for indicating an at-risk situation for lung ventilators, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the predetermined criteria is a criterion associated with protective ventilation.

6. System for indicating an at-risk situation for lung ventilator, according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen is a touch screen.

7. Lung ventilator, characterized in that it comprises a system for indicating an at-risk situation with a screen that displays at least one drawing element of fixed size representing the lungs being ventilated, in which the shade of the drawing element alternates according to predetermined criteria.

8. Lung ventilator, according to claim 7, characterized in that the shade alternation of the fixed size drawing element is changed between: a dark shade when a first predetermined criterion is met; an intermediate shade of the dark color when a second predetermined criterion is met; and a light shade when a third predetermined criterion is met.

9. Lung ventilator, according to claim 8, characterized in that the drawing element further comprises a broken contour with elements that flash when a fourth predetermined criterion is met.

10. Lung ventilator, according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixed-size drawing element is a drawing of lungs.

11. Lung ventilator, according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the predetermined criteria is a criterion associated with protective ventilation.

12. Lung ventilator, according to claim 7, characterized in that the screen is a touch screen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1illustrates the screen of a system for indicating an at-risk situation for a lung ventilator in a first operating condition;

[0028] FIG. 2illustrates the screen of a system for indicating an at-risk situation for a lung ventilator in a second operating condition;

[0029] FIG. 3illustrates the screen of a system for indicating an at-risk situation for a lung ventilator in a third operating condition; and

[0030] FIG. 4illustrates the screen of a system for indicating an at-risk situation for a lung ventilator in a fourth operating condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] [1] The present invention will be described below based on a embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0032] FIGS. 1 to 4 show the screen of a lung ventilator. Except for the system for indicating an at-risk situation of the present invention, the ventilator's internal components and their operation are known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, will not be described here.

[0033] The system for indicating an at-risk situation of the present invention comprises a screen 1 that displays at least one drawing element of fixed size 2 representing the lungs being ventilated, in which the shade of the drawing element alternates according to predetermined criteria. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drawing element of fixed size is a drawing of lungs.

[0034] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the shade shift of the fixed size drawing element 2 is changed between: [0035] a dark shade when a predetermined first criterion is met; [0036] an intermediate shade when a second predetermined criterion is met; or [0037] a light shade when a third predetermined criterion is met.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drawing element comprises a broken contour with elements that flash when a fourth predetermined criterion is met.

[0039] The predetermined criteria are criteria associated with lung ventilation and, preferably, correspond to insufficient ventilation, ventilation within a safe volume range, and ventilation that exceeds the safe volume limit.

[0040] Thus, through the image with shade alternation it is possible to show the expansion and emptying of the lung, showing when properly inflated, when it is above the maximum or below the minimum, whose limits are adjusted based on security criteria that can be configured; as: the predicted volume/weight [mL/Kg] or the calculated driving pressure (driving pressure) or by some other criterion that eventually comes to be accepted and adopted by the medical community as protective.

[0041] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, three situations that may occur during the operation of the lung ventilator: [0042] If the volume is in the safe range, the shade of the lung (drawing element) changes from black (FIG. 1) to white (FIG. 3) during inspiration, remaining during the inspiratory time, returning to black in the expiration; [0043] When the lung expands beyond the maximum, the contour of the lung will project rays outwards (FIG. 4), flashing intermittently to draw the attention of the intensivist to the risk of lung injury due to excessive distension of the alveolus, remaining like this during the inspiratory time, returning to black on expiration; [0044] If the lung volume does not reach the minimum volume required, the black colored lung will show a gray spot (FIG. 2), visually indicating ventilation insufficiency, remaining gray intermittently during the inspiratory time, returning to black on expiration, showing cycling.

[0045] The present invention therefore protects in both at-risk situations, barotrauma and insufficient ventilation. In the disconnection condition or another factor that does not inflate the lung, it will remain black, showing that there are no ventilation cycles.

[0046] The screen of the illustrated embodiment shows the lungs of a fixed size, colored black during expiration, partially gray when insufficiently inflated and white when properly inflated, and rays coming out of the contour intermittently when excessively full.

[0047] In addition, as shown in the figures, the system can also include bar graphs showing compliance and airway resistance, which recalculates and updates whenever the update button is touched.

[0048] As shown in the figures, the lung figures are generated in four types, wherein FIG. 1 shows the lung in black color, FIG. 2 shows the same lung with gray spot, indicating partial filling of the lung, FIG. 3 shows white lung and FIG. 4 shows a white lung with a drawing of white rays, transitioning to dark gray in a tonal gradient, leaving the outline.

[0049] FIG. 1 in black is visible during the second half of each monitored exhalation breath cycle, then at the beginning of inspiration FIG. 1 is replaced by FIG. 2 or 3 or 4 depending on the Tidal Volume, if it is below ideal, in the range between the minimum and maximum or above the maximum limit respectively. FIGS. 2 and 3 are visible in the first half of each respiratory cycle. FIG. 4 is visible intermittently during the first half of each cycle.

[0050] An important feature of the present invention is that the drawing element comprises a gray color or shade of a single color so that physicians and physiotherapists, even color-blind ones, can understand the ventilation conditions.

[0051] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the shade of the drawing element in black color or in a dark color indicates empty lung, in gray, or intermediate tone of the dark color used to indicate empty lung, indicates insufficiently inflated lung; and in white color indicates full lung. For the lung inflated above the maximum limit, the design element is shown with the broken outline with leaking rays.

[0052] The broken outline of the drawing element, with leaking rays, is lit for a fraction of the inspiratory time, flashing, to call the attention of the physician, physiotherapist or nursing staff.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, the indication system comprises a touch-sensitive monitor screen, with a button designed on the screen to start the static compliance and airway resistance measurement maneuver immediately, updating the values shown in the form of a bar graph, whenever it is activated.

[0054] In an embodiment of the invention, the drawing element does not show the respiratory cycles in the absence of expiratory flows.

[0055] The criteria for adequate or inadequate ventilation can use protective ventilation as a basis, either in minimum and maximum mL/Kg, or another criterion of protective ventilation, such as Driving Pressure, or another criterion that come to be defined as protective ventilation.

[0056] The present invention allows a quick perception of the risk that the patient's lung is having according to the criteria of protective ventilation, for a quick action to be taken in case, for example, of a risk of barotrauma (rupture of alveoli) or hypoventilation due to insufficient inspired air volume using animated drawing techniques on the image of the lung on the screen.

[0057] It should be noted that the present invention represents a way to instantly warn the ventilator operator without the use of colors as risk indicators so that even color-blind health professionals, in a situation of risk to the patient, may make the protective action of the lung more effective.

[0058] Having described an example of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations of the described inventive concept, being limited solely by the content of the attached claims, including the possible equivalents.