Efficient CPAP – solving high oxygen use and system inefficiencies in non-invasive ventilation through novel valve design

持续气道正压通气（CPAP）系统提供了一种提高血氧的方法，而不必求助于有创通气。混合有氧气的空气通过一个密封的面罩泵入，病人通过面罩呼吸。未使用的空气和氧气以及呼出的空气和氧气通过一个特殊的PEEP阀，该阀保持系统中的压力。所有的废氧都被简单地排放到使用CPAP的房间中。这是一种浪费，在高使用率时期（如COVID-19大流行期间）意味着氧气供应可能会耗尽。医院系统压力不足，危及每个人的治疗。由于治疗环境中的氧气水平升高，也存在相当大的火灾风险。米尔菲尔德医疗呼吸公司为CPAP开发了一种新的设计，高效CPAP，它使用一种新型的阀门来更容易地控制氧气流量，减少氧气消耗高达80%，同时在需要时保持氧气流量给患者。我们的设计应该生产出一种更有效的CPAP，与目前的机器一样经济实惠，适合大规模使用，包括在氧气供应不足或需要治疗的患者数量较多的地区。

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems offer a way elevating blood oxygen without having to resort to invasive ventilation. Air mixed with oxygen is pumped through a sealed mask which the patient breathes through. Unused air and oxygen and that which is breathed out, passes through a special PEEP valve which maintains the pressure in the system. All waste oxygen is simply vented into the room in which CPAP is being used. This is wasteful and in times of high use (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic) means oxygen supplies can run out. Hospital systems loose pressure, jeopardising everyone's treatment. There is also a substantial fire risk due to elevated oxygen levels in the treatment environment.Millfield Medical Respiration have developed a new design for CPAP, efficient CPAP, which uses a new type of valve to control oxygen flow more easily, reducing its consumption by up to 80%, while maintaining oxygen flow to the patient when it is needed. Our design should produce a CPAP which is more efficient and just as affordable as current machines, suitable for mass use, including in areas with low oxygen supplies, or high volumes of patients needing treatment.