Model-driven system integration in medical ventilators

A ventilator, comprising:

• a flow sensor comprising a temperature element or a flow element;
• a pressure sensor;
• an exhalation valve;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the ventilator to perform a set of operations comprising:
• receiving, from the flow sensor, a measured exhalation flow of breathing gases;
• receiving, from the pressure sensor, a measured pressure;
• determining a modeled exhalation flow based on an electrical current provided to an exhalation valve and the measured pressure;
• evaluating a flow difference between the modeled exhalation flow and the measured exhalation flow;
• identifying a sensor failure of the flow sensor based on the flow difference and;
• in response to determining the sensor failure, use the modeled exhalation flow, instead of the measured exhalation flow, for controlling operation of the ventilator.

A ventilator, comprising:

• a flow sensor;
• a pressure sensor;
• an exhalation valve;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the ventilator to perform a set of operations comprising:
• measuring an exhalation flow using the flow sensor;
• measuring an exhalation pressure using the pressure sensor;
• determining a modeled exhalation flow based on an electrical current provided to the exhalation valve and the measured exhalation pressure;
• evaluating a flow difference between the measured exhalation flow and the modeled exhalation flow;
• generating a weighted average flow based on the measured exhalation flow, the modeled exhalation flow, and the flow difference;
• and
• using the weighted average flow to control the ventilator to deliver positive pressure ventilation.