Blood Monitoring Cuvette Coupling to Eliminate Air Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood monitoring systems during cardiac surgery are inadequate for accurately measuring vital parameters like hematocrit, oxygen saturation, and temperature in both venous and arterial blood, with potential interference from air pockets and inefficiencies in probe-cuvette connections.

Innovation Solution

A cuvette system with a sensor window and probe retention structures, including flexible and deformable protrusions, allows for secure and air-tight coupling of probes to cuvettes, enabling accurate measurement of blood parameters using optical and infrared sensors, and a monitor to display these measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid connection structure is used between probe and cuvette, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in coupling and decoupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidease of coupling and decoupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure uses a spring-loaded protrusion that can dynamically change its state between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the probe to be easily coupled and decoupled from the cuvette while maintaining stable connection during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded mechanism changes the mechanical parameter of the connection from a rigid fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state, enabling easy coupling when force is applied and stable maintenance when engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If air pockets are present in the cuvette-probe interface, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference with optical and infrared sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fillingVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air pockets are extracted or removed from the cuvette-probe interface through the air-tight coupling mechanism, eliminating the harmful factor that interferes with optical and infrared sensor measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air-tight seal that prevents air pockets actually benefits the measurement process by ensuring optimal optical contact between the sensor window and blood sample, converting the potential harm of air interference into a benefit for measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If a simple probe-cuvette connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential air interference and connection instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structure complexityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: mechanical retention, air-tight sealing, and alignment guidance, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded protrusion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the probe and cuvette, providing reliable connection and sealing while maintaining ease of operation and coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system ensures precise and reliable monitoring of blood parameters by minimizing air interference and enhancing probe-cuvette connectivity, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reliability in extracorporeal blood circuits.

Implementation Method 1

sensors positioned in alignment with the sensor window... the sensors include an optical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

enabling accurate measurement of blood parameters using optical and infrared sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the protrusion is coupled to a spring-loaded assembly at least partially positioned within the probe body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12560528B2Methods and devices for monitoring blood

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 LIVANOVA PLC

AI summary

A system includes a cuvette including a cuvette body forming a substantially planar exterior surface and having a sensor window defined within the substantially planar exterior surface. The cuvette further includes a probe retention structure extending from the cuvette body. The system includes a probe with a probe body and a protrusion that is removably coupled to the probe retention structure.