Anesthesia Vaporizer Optical Level Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anesthesia vaporizers face challenges in accurately assessing the remaining amount of anesthetic agent within the sump, making it difficult to determine when refilling is necessary.
Innovation Solution
An anesthetic vaporizer system equipped with a level sensor that uses an optical beam to estimate the amount of anesthetic agent by measuring its characteristic, comprising an emitter, receiver, and reflector, with a controller to process the data and determine the agent's level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional vaporizers are used without level sensors, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of anesthetic agent level is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical level detection methods with an optical measurement system. The level sensor uses optical beams (transmitted, reflected, or scattered light) to detect the anesthetic agent level, substituting complex mechanical sensing mechanisms with a simpler optical field-based approach that provides precise measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary to detect the anesthetic agent level. Instead of directly measuring the liquid level through mechanical means, the system uses optical beams that interact with the anesthetic agent (through transmission, reflection, or scattering) as an intermediary medium to infer the level, enabling indirect but precise measurement.
2Loss of time
If no level sensor is installed, then the device complexity remains low, but the loss of time for refilling operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring the anesthetic agent level through the optical sensor system and providing advance warning when refilling is needed. This allows operators to refill proactively before the agent is completely depleted, eliminating emergency refilling situations and reducing overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the level sensor continuously measures the anesthetic agent level and provides real-time information to the operator or control system. This feedback loop enables timely refilling decisions, transforming the refilling process from reactive to proactive and significantly reducing time loss.
3Reliability
If manual level assessment methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of anesthesia delivery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual assessment with an automated optical sensing system. The level sensor uses optical beams to objectively, consistently, and reliably measure the anesthetic agent level, eliminating the variability and subjectivity inherent in manual assessment methods and ensuring consistent anesthesia delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the vaporizer system to autonomously monitor its own anesthetic agent level through the integrated optical sensor. The system serves itself by providing accurate, real-time level information without requiring external manual intervention, thereby improving reliability and consistency of anesthesia delivery.
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
Enables precise assessment of the anesthetic agent level, allowing for proactive refilling and optimizing the timing of replenishment, thereby ensuring consistent and effective anesthesia delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The level sensor is configured to generate an optical beam, and to estimate the amount of anesthetic agent within the sump based on a measured characteristic of the optical beam
Implementation Method 2
The level sensor includes an emitter adapted to emit an optical beam, a receiver, and a reflector. The reflector is configured to redirect at least a portion of the optical beam toward the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An anesthetic vaporizer system is disclosed herein. The anesthetic vaporizer system may include a sump adapted to retain an anesthetic agent. The anesthetic vaporizer system may also include a level sensor disposed at least partially within the sump. The level sensor is configured to generate an optical beam, and to estimate the amount of anesthetic agent within the sump based on a measured characteristic of the optical beam.