Airway Adapter Gravity Drainage for Condensation Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airway adapters face challenges in accurately measuring respiratory gas concentrations and flow rates due to condensation, which causes water accumulation and interference with optical and pressure measurements, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
The airway adapter features a support base that positions the first tube connection portion higher than the second, preventing water from accumulating and affecting the measurement path, with integrated window portions sealed by transparent members and a sensor attachment portion between the tube connections to minimize water interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the airway adapter is used in a respiration circuit, then respiratory gas concentration and flow rate can be measured, but condensation accumulates inside the adapter causing water to cover the window portion and interfere with measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful water/condensation from the measurement path by providing a drainage hole that leads to a water collection chamber. This allows water to be separated and removed from the optical measurement path, preventing interference with infrared ray transmission while maintaining the integrity of the respiratory gas measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the airway adapter structure by positioning the window portion at the upper side and providing drainage holes at lower positions. This dimensional arrangement allows gravity to naturally drain water away from the critical measurement area, separating the water accumulation zone from the optical measurement zone.
2Measurement precision
If the window portion is positioned for optical measurement, then infrared rays can pass through for gas concentration detection, but the window portion becomes vulnerable to water coverage when the adapter is turned sideways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the window portion asymmetrically at the upper side of the airway adapter body, rather than at the center or lower position. This asymmetric placement, combined with drainage holes at lower positions, ensures that water naturally drains away from the window portion due to gravity, maintaining measurement reliability regardless of the adapter's orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning drainage holes and a water collection chamber before water accumulation becomes problematic. This proactive design allows water to be continuously and automatically drained from the measurement path, preventing water coverage of the window portion before it can interfere with measurements.
3Measurement precision
If pressure take-out portions are provided for flow rate measurement, then differential pressure can be measured, but water adhering to these portions causes inaccurate pressure measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water from the pressure measurement zones by positioning pressure take-out portions at upper locations and providing drainage holes at lower positions. This creates a water flow path that directs condensed water away from the pressure sensing surfaces, preventing water adhesion and ensuring accurate differential pressure measurement for flow rate calculation.
4Measurement precision
If the air passage is narrowed for flow rate measurement, then flow velocity increases for accurate measurement, but water accumulation in the air passage distorts the narrowing and reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes water from the air passage by providing drainage holes that lead to a water collection chamber. This extraction of water prevents distortion of the narrowed air passage section, maintaining the intended geometry and ensuring reliable flow rate measurements based on differential pressure.
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 effectively prevents water from interfering with infrared measurements and ensures accurate detection of respiratory gas concentrations and flow rates, maintaining measurement accuracy even in the presence of condensation.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit of a sensor are disposed outside the window portion, and a concentration of the carbon dioxide is detected based on absorption of infrared rays in the respiratory air inside the passage
Implementation Method 2
In a case where an inside of the window portion for optical measurement is covered with water, the infrared rays are refracted by water and hardly enter the light receiving unit, and an optical path through which the respiratory air passes is shortened
Data Source
AI summary
An airway adapter includes an airway adapter body including a first tube connection portion, a second tube connection portion, and a detection portion provided between the first tube connection portion and the second tube connection portion, and a support base configured to support the airway adapter body. The support base is configured to support the first tube connection portion at a position higher than a position of the second tube connection portion.