Air Detection in Infusion Lines Using Standing Wave Resonance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air in infusion line detectors often produce false alarms and require high power consumption, especially in ambulatory infusion pumps, due to inefficiencies in ultrasound transmission characteristics and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The use of a device with a piezoelectric emitter and receiver configured to generate standing waves at the resonance frequency of the fluid channel, optimizing energy transmission and reducing power requirements by aligning the acoustic elements with the fluid gap dimensions, and incorporating a processing unit for frequency control and noise filtering to enhance detection accuracy and reduce false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ultrasound transmission is used without resonance optimization, then the device can detect air bubbles, but power consumption is high and detection reliability is reduced due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by exciting the piezoelectric emitter at its resonance frequency to generate standing waves in the fluid channel. This resonance-based vibration maximizes acoustic energy transmission through the infusion line while minimizing the power required to maintain the vibration, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from arbitrary frequency to resonance frequency. By adapting the emitter's operating frequency to match its natural resonance frequency and adjusting the fluid channel dimensions to support standing waves, the system achieves optimal energy transmission efficiency, reducing power consumption while improving detection reliability despite manufacturing tolerances
2Measurement precision
If frequency sweeps or scans are used to detect air bubbles, then detection capability is improved, but false alarms increase and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using frequency sweeps, the patent employs sustained vibration at the single resonance frequency of the piezoelectric emitter. This creates stable standing waves in the fluid channel, providing a consistent reference signal that improves measurement precision for air bubble detection while eliminating the false alarms associated with frequency scanning methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural resonance frequency of the piezoelectric emitter itself as the operating frequency, eliminating the need for external frequency control or sweeping. The emitter's own mechanical properties define the operating parameters, simplifying the system and reducing false alarms while maintaining detection accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If the emitter and receiver are positioned at arbitrary distances, then device assembly is simplified, but energy transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fluid channel dimension parameter to a specific value that supports standing waves at the emitter's resonance frequency. This dimensional adaptation creates a resonant cavity that maximizes acoustic energy transmission efficiency, compensating for the reduced assembly flexibility while minimizing energy loss in the fluid path
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves detection reliability and reduces power consumption by ensuring clear signal transmission even when the device is not at its optimal resonance frequency, minimizing false alarms and maintaining accurate air bubble detection across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic emitter adapted to be provided at one side of an infusion line and to vibrate at its resonance frequency so as to transmit an acoustic sound wave
Implementation Method 2
the resonance characteristics of said emitter and/or the distance between said emitter and said receiver is adapted so that the sound wave is generated as a standing wave
Implementation Method 3
an acoustic receiver adapted to be provided at another side of the infusion line and to be set into vibrations caused by the sound wave transmitted by said emitter through the infusion line and to generate an output signal indicating the characteristics of said vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air in infusion line detecting device, comprising an acoustic emitter adapted to be provided at one side of an infusion line and to vibrate at its resonance frequency so as to transmit an acoustic sound wave with a frequency corresponding to said resonance frequency, and an acoustic receiver adapted to be provided at another side of the infusion line and to be set into vibrations caused by the sound wave transmitted by said emitter through the infusion line and to generate an output signal indicating the characteristics of said vibrations. The device is characterized in that the resonance characteristics of said emitter and/or the distance between said emitter and said receiver is adapted so that the sound wave is generated as a standing wave between said emitter and said receiver.