Enhanced Measurement Accuracy with Automatic Breath Detection in Ventilator Testing

From Matthias van der Staay.

Introduction:
Accurate measurement of breath-based parameters is crucial in assessing the performance and efficacy of medical ventilators. Tidal volume, minute volume, and breath rate are key indicators that provide valuable insights into a patient’s ventilation. However, selecting the correct trigger settings in a ventilator tester can be challenging, as adjustments are often required based on the patient circuit configuration and chosen ventilation mode. To simplify this process and ensure measurement accuracy, the FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO from IMT Analytics introduces automatic breath detection based on adaptive waveform analysis. This innovative feature eliminates the need for manual trigger adjustments and enables the tester to automatically detect various ventilation modes, adapt to leaks, and optimize trigger settings.

The Three-Stage Process:
The automatic breath detection in the FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO operates through a three-stage process, employing advanced algorithms to achieve accurate and reliable results.

1. Preprocessing for Leak Compensation: During the first stage, the flow is preprocessed to compensate for leak flow. By estimating the leak flow based on the pressure and measured flow, the algorithm adjusts for variations caused by changes in pressure. The flow and pressure waveforms over a period of approximately 30 to 40 seconds are mathematically evaluated, allowing the algorithm to adapt and optimize its calculations.

2. Statistical Analysis for Trigger Settings: In the second stage, the pressure and leak-compensated flow are analyzed over the last 35 seconds of data. Through statistical evaluation, the algorithm automatically calculates the appropriate trigger threshold for pressure and flow, as well as the trigger delay. This dynamic calculation ensures that the trigger settings are adjusted according to the specific requirements of the ventilation mode and patient circuit configuration.

3. Primary and Backup Triggers: To enhance reliability, the FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO utilizes both flow and pressure triggers. The more reliable flow trigger is used as the primary trigger for automatic breath detection, ensuring accurate measurement of breath-based parameters. However, if no breaths are detected for a continuous period of 30 seconds, the pressure trigger automatically becomes active. This backup trigger handles unusual circuit configurations and ensures the continuous monitoring of ventilation.

Activation and User Interface:
Activating the automatic breath detection feature in the FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO is straightforward. By setting the trigger type to “Auto,” users can access this functionality through the device’s user interface or the FlowLab software application. This user-friendly setting simplifies the testing process and eliminates the need for laborious manual adjustments.

Conclusion:
Accurate measurement of breath-based parameters is essential in assessing the performance of medical ventilators and ensuring optimal patient care. The FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO addresses the challenge of trigger adjustments by introducing automatic breath detection based on adaptive waveform analysis. This advanced feature offers several benefits, including automatic detection of ventilation modes, compensation for leaks, and optimization of trigger settings. By eliminating the need for manual adjustments and enhancing measurement accuracy, this innovative solution streamlines ventilator testing and improves efficiency in healthcare settings. With the FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO, healthcare professionals can have confidence in the accuracy and reliability of breath-based parameter measurements.