Aspirate pH Measurement Device Using Integrated Sensor and Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the correct positioning of medical tubes within patients, such as feeding and tracheal tubes, are cumbersome and costly, often requiring imaging equipment and extensive equipment setups, posing risks due to bacterial contamination during pH value measurement procedures.
Innovation Solution
A compact measuring device with a sensor element, connection port, collection tube, and filter, allowing for direct aspiration and measurement of physiological parameters like pH within a housing, reducing the need for external equipment and minimizing bacterial exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging equipment (X-ray) is used to detect tube location, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex external imaging equipment and integrates it directly into the medical tube itself. The tube includes built-in sensors (pH sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor) that directly detect physiological parameters at the tube tip location, eliminating the need for separate X-ray imaging equipment while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tube is designed with multiple functions: it serves as both the treatment delivery conduit and the measurement device. The tube incorporates multiple sensors (pH, temperature, pressure) that can detect various physiological parameters simultaneously, allowing a single device to perform multiple diagnostic functions that previously required separate equipment.
2Measurement precision
If pH measurement is performed using external equipment and procedures, then measurement capability is improved, but bacterial contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a biocompatible membrane as an intermediary between the internal pH sensor and the external aspirate fluid. The membrane allows hydrogen ions to pass through for pH measurement while blocking bacteria and large particles, enabling accurate pH measurement without direct exposure of the sensor to contaminated fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tube performs self-diagnosis by incorporating sensors that automatically monitor physiological parameters (pH, temperature, pressure) at the tube tip location. The tube itself generates and processes the measurement data without requiring external measurement equipment or procedures that would expose clinicians to bacterial contamination.
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 solution simplifies and cost-reduces the process of determining tube positioning by enabling quick, accurate measurement of aspirate pH within a closed system, reducing the need for radiographic checks and minimizing bacterial exposure for healthcare professionals.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor element is a pH sensor element
Implementation Method 2
a filter element disposed between the sensor element and the communication passage
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device for measuring a physiological parameter of an aspirate. The device includes a sensor element for measuring the physiological parameter, a connection port for fluid communication with a medical tube, a collection tube for aspirating and/or collecting the aspirate, a housing, wherein the sensor element is mounted within the housing and a communication passage enabling the aspirate to enter the housing from the collection tube such that the sensor element can measure the physiological parameter. Further, a method for measuring the parameter is disclosed.