In the world of medical devices, technology has made huge leaps forward in recent decades. New technologies offer solutions to problems that doctors had no answer for in the past.
BIBUS already has extensive experience with matrix technology and its application. One such challenge in the medical world is respirators. Currently, ventilators are mainly used when performing cardiac surgery or other microsurgical procedures in operating rooms. With the help of this technology, the patient's breathing is temporarily supported and the patient's lungs can be kept in as clinical a balance as possible, allowing doctors to perform their work undisturbed.
Central to this practice solution is the collaboration of the Swiss electronic company Escatec with BIBUS. In which Escatec itself developed and built the electrical part and takes care of the final finishing touches.
Problem Statement
Physicians must have complete confidence in the quality of a respirator. After all, if a patient is administered too much, too little or a varying amount of oxygen during surgery, there can be harmful consequences. In addition, oxygen dispensing applications are always critical because the valves must be free of grease and oil to prevent contamination of the medium and explosions. The Matrix program of "quick switch valves" was still unknown territory for the Swiss company Escatec. So it was up to BIBUS to investigate whether the Matrix program could also be applicable in combination with oxygen.
The solution: Pneumatic 24 V aggregate with Matrix valves of the 860 series
BIBUS' pneumatic 24 V aggregate with a total of 3 accumulators was used to develop the respirators. This combined with the use of Matrix valves from the 860 series.
One pressure vessel of the smaller models of the pneumatic 24 V aggregate is filled in the operating room with oxygen and the other with oil-free air. Based on the patient's weight, age and lung capacity, the anesthesiologist sets the desired composition of the medium to be supplied via the touchscreen, which is then mixed in the third, larger accumulator.
From the control electronics, the electro-pneumatically operated Matrix valves are then activated. This ensures that the correct composition of the medium, through the hose of the ventilation machine via very thin hoses, is blown into the patient's trachea.
Matrix valves from the 860 series
When developing the respirator with "jet ventilation," other Matrix valves from the 860 series were finally chosen.These valves are specifically designed for monitoring and control when supplying other oxygen. These robust valves are ultra-precise, have a large orifice and are designed to withstand approximately 200 million circuits. Thanks to a built-in venturi (a narrow passage), this system can simultaneously create a negative pressure to extract the consumed gases as well. The return air is then blown off into the environment via the valves.
Certification & Results.
BIBUS is subjected to a strict quality control by Escatec twice a year regarding the respirator. During such an inspection, all working procedures, assembly and all text provisions are thoroughly scrutinized.Over the years, only the sensors have been adapted to the latest technology. This has everything to do with the very strict certification that medical devices such as these must undergo before they can be marketed.In the unlikely event that, for whatever reason, a change in the technology has to be made, all individual parts and the whole assembly must be retested by a notified bodytested, certified by a notified body and accepted by all parties.
Together with the Swiss company Escatec and BIBUS has delivered a reliable product. The switching time of the Matrix valves used is 2 milliseconds. In just 5 milliseconds, the device can be easily adjusted to a different pressure, while the air flow rate remains as constant as possible.The latter is achieved by inserting in the supply line a custom-made sapphire with a predetermined diameter. The amount of air supplied can thus be adjusted only by changing the switching speed of the valves in the millisecond range.
Ordering Matrix Valves
Discover for yourself the benefits of pneumatics for your specific application. View our extensive range of matrix valves, air supply, couplings, hoses and cylinders in our webshop. Benefit from the low installation costs and high operational reliability that pneumatics offers. Do not wait any longer and request more information about our pneumatic valves.
