Fabrication of Cough Assistive Device

Cough Assistive Device  gradually inflates the lungs (insufflation), followed by an immediate and abrupt change to negative pressure, which produces a rapid exhalation (exsufflation), which simulates a cough.. This device  clears the secretions from lungs by applying the positive pr

Project Title

Fabrication of Cough Assistive Device

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

Cough Assistive Device  gradually inflates the lungs (insufflation), followed by an immediate and abrupt change to negative pressure, which produces a rapid exhalation (exsufflation), which simulates a cough..

This device  clears the secretions from lungs by applying the positive pressure to the air way and immediately shifting to negative pressure.it has vast application in the medical field as this device is used mainly to treat diseases like Neuromuscular disease,Pneumonia:,Respiratory muscle dysfunction,qbulbar dysfunction disease:,Chronic Purulent Bronchitis etc 

The mechanism of this device is that it creates a positive gauge pressure inside human lungs for a limted time period and with a very short gap of 4-5s it creates a negative pressure of same value to exhale the air out from lungs without damaging the airways.

In initial stages the mucus is sucked from lungs or airway by using tracheotomy technique in which tubes were being used for suctions .But they caused damage to lungs and airways as they touch them, it clear the mucus but they damage walls and alveoli.

To avoid Damage  and further tracheotomy surgeries MIE devices were introduced which can be used separately from a ventilators

This device not only will help a person with certain diseass as mentioned above but it i will also help adults with age above 65 who find it difficult to cough .

This device is merely made up of blower, pressure sensors, gauges, relief valves , controllers etc .

This in-exsufflation shift in pressure creates a high expiratory flow that simulates a deep, natural cough. Instead of introducing a suction catheter into the airway, air is delivered noninvasively through a facemask, a mouthpiece, or through a simple adapter that allows the device to function with an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube. As a result, it is a gentle, comfortable way to remove secretions and is highly effective, keeping airways clear longer than trached suction and with fewer complications.

Project Objectives

Our research Aim is to fabricate this device with the components that are easily available and hence can be made economical for local usage. This device could be used in houses by patients as well and can avoid hospitalization

In foreign countries cough assistive device is around $ 4600.00 and it is really expensive for everyone.

Nearly all studies have shown the importance of mechanical insufflation and exsufflation device. There are many patients in our country who are fighting with such diseases such as bronchitis and many respiratory diseases, which can be cured by using these devices.

The devices are so much expensive that no one can afford such heavy expenses. For which many patients have to cut through alternatives which are not as safe as this cough assistive device.

Hence by using the products that are avaliable in our market and optimizing them to make a better device with much more controlable interface and more effective results.

Our primary objective is to decrease the economic investment on MIE device as there are no local manufacturers in Pakistan, So Hospitals have to import it by bearing heavy cost.

Secondary objective is to observe the proper mechanism and to find out all the components used in this device as manufacturer of this device does not reveal the original design of this device.   

Project Implementation Method

The cough assistive device is for the patients with lung diseases. If patient's cough is weak, and if it is difficult to bring up mucus or patient have lots of mucus, he/she needs an assisted cough. The pressure that is used for insufflation and exsuifaltion creates a high expiratory flow that simulates a cough.
Air is delivered noninvasively through a facemask, a mouthpiece, or through a simple adapter that allows the device to function with an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.
For this purpose, we are going to use a blower with specific inputs and outputs. Blower is being used to produce that much pressure which is used to get the secretions out of the body or arteries. The number of pressure sensors have been used in this device.
Pressure sensors are useful for this aspect, these will help to maintain the pressure at specific range that is distinct for patients of different ages. The sensors are being used in the device to calculate the time, for which the valve for pressure is opened. 
Blower will give the positive pressure for the time being and after some calculated time that is suggested by doctors, sensors will reverse the blower polarity and pressure delivered is negative pressure which helps patient to get secretions out  in the form of cough. Pressures are totally defined for human body.
For this device to work properly, we need to do some programming on ARDUINO software. This programming will command the sensors and blower to work with the specific conditions that is for patients with specific diseases.
In addition to AC and DC power options, a detachable Lithium Ion battery adds a new level of flexibility with up to four treatments on a single charge, allowing patients to use the device just about anywhere. 

For implementation of this device, we are going to use a mask on mouth. The button on the device which says "therapy" is used to start the session. The session with device is only for 15 to 20 seconds then the patient is allowed to rest for 15 seconds, then the session will again begin. The positive pressure for 3 to 4 seconds suggested by doctors, is allowed in the body. From the airways positive pressure will travel towards the lungs. At an instant with Arduino programming, sensors will change the polarity and positive pressure is changed into negative pressure. This negative pressure will get the secretions out in form of cough and patient can easily spit it out from mouth.

Benefits of the Project

By manufacturing the Device in our homeland we will be able to distribute it to the hospital beraing less cost and they might be able to buy more device at the cost of one device as per day details.

CoughAssist  device can prevent complications in patients with an ineffective cough as below:

1.Respiratory tract infections are the most common cause of
hospital admission in patients with neuromuscular disease
2. More than 90% of acute respiratory failure episodes
in neuromuscular disorder (NMD) patients are caused
by ineffective coughing during chest colds

we can prevent this by regular use of Cough assist device in our hospitals.

An effective cough with CoughAssist device is critical to keeping airways clear
CoughAssisst has been clinically proven to:
1.Increase peak cough expiratory flows by more than fourfold6
2.Reduce recurrent respiratory infections in patients with
respiratory weakness from neuromuscular disease.

Keeping airways clear makes patients feel better
CoughAssist device can lead to improvement in perceived quality of life due to fewer acute illness-related episodes.
Patients report that it feels ‘easier to breathe’ after the use of CoughAssist device.

We can keep on using this device in home as patients with the cough problem will not have to go to the hospitals to get expensive treatment but to use cough assist device at home as our aim is to regulate this device effectively in our society to ensure better living at a cheaper rates and better life saving styles.

CoughAssist mechanicalin-exsufflation can minimize the risk
of pneumonia and infections that cannegatively impact the patient experienceand lead to hospital readmissions.

More effective in clearing secretions and better
tolerated than endoctracheal suctioning in groups of
ventilator-dependent tracheostomy patients
Safe and effective for use with tracheostomy tubes for
patients with ALS.

Clears airways for longer periods of time than tracheal suctioning and with fewer complications

Less irritating, less painful, less tiring, and lessuncomfortable than tracheal suctioning;72% of patients also found it to be more effective than suctioning

Reduced hospitalization rates for respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Proven technology that’s effective, comfortableand easy to use. When compared with traditionalsuction methods, CoughAssist T70 provides a betteralternative when it comes to clearing the airway.

Operating temperature

5° C to 35° C
Relative humidity

15 to 95% (non-condensing)
Atmospheric pressure

110 kPa to 77 kPa
Weight

4 kg
(without detachable battery)
4.6 kg (9.4 lbs)
(with detachable battery installed)

Size

31 cm W x 25 cm H x 21 cm D

Modes

Manual and Auto
Maximum positive pressure

70 cm H20
Maximum negative pressure

-70 cm H2O
Inhale flow Low, medium, high

Inspiratory time

0.0 to 5.0 secs
(not available in Manual mode)

Expiratory time

0.0 to 5.0 secs
(not available in Manual mode)

Pause time

0.0 to 5.0 secs
(not available in Manual mode)

CoughAssist Device includes the device, SD card, hose clip
and air filter, 6’ patient circuit, adult large mask, carrying
case and AC power cord.

Following Procedure is Carried Out:

1.Increase the negative pressure to 10–20 cm H2O (1.0–2.0 kPa) above the positive pressure.

2.The negative pressure is then held for 3–6 s.

3. Pressure Values for Adult = up tp 3.9kpa

4.Pressure Values for childern age 5-12= 1.9-2.9kpa

5.Pressure Values for childern less than 5  = less than 1.2kpa.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Medical

Other Industries

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com