Breath Sampling Tube Blockage Prevention via Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breath sampling systems in Capnography struggle with blockages due to large quantities of liquids, which exceed the volumetric capacity of existing liquid collection elements, leading to frequent maintenance and replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
A breath sampling device with a fast response pressure sensor and solenoid valve that equalizes pressure on both sides of a blockage, allowing air to flow into the lower pressure section to prevent liquids from entering the sampling tube, combined with a restrictor to reduce liquid velocity and a sampling port with openings for air leakage to dilute and slow down liquid influx.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump continuously creates a pressure drop to draw breath samples, then breath sampling efficiency is improved, but liquid blockages in the sampling tube increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of liquid blockages using a pressure sensor before they completely obstruct the sampling tube. When a blockage is detected, the solenoid valve is activated to equalize pressure and prevent the blockage from progressing, thereby maintaining continuous reliable operation while preserving sampling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback on the pressure differential across the sampling tube. This feedback enables the controller to detect liquid blockages in real-time and activate the solenoid valve to equalize pressure, preventing complete obstruction and maintaining system reliability without compromising sampling productivity
2Reliability
If liquid collection elements are used to trap liquids, then device protection is improved, but their small volumetric capacity causes frequent saturation and maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve equalizes pressure in the sampling tube before liquids can accumulate to blocking levels. This preliminary pressure equalization prevents large quantities of liquid from entering the collection elements, extending their capacity and reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining device protection
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that intervenes between the sampling tube and the liquid collection elements. By equalizing pressure when blockages are detected, it prevents excessive liquid accumulation in the collection elements, thereby extending their operational capacity and reducing maintenance needs
3Measurement precision
If the sampling port is positioned to reach close to the center of the airway adapter, then breath sample accuracy is improved, but liquid entry into the sampling tube increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization mechanism activates before liquid can enter the sampling tube in large quantities. By equalizing pressure when a blockage is detected, the system prevents the pressure differential that would otherwise drive liquid into the centrally-positioned sampling port, maintaining both accuracy and liquid rejection
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor provides feedback on the pressure differential across the sampling tube, enabling real-time detection of conditions that would cause liquid entry. The controller uses this feedback to activate the solenoid valve, preventing liquid from reaching the centrally-positioned sampling port while maintaining measurement precision
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
Reduces the amount of liquid entering the breath sampling tube, minimizing blockages and extending the system's ability to handle large liquid exposure, thereby reducing maintenance and replacement frequency.
Implementation Method 1
a fast response pressure sensor... that measures pressure differential across the blockage to identify blockage conditions
Implementation Method 2
A valve is provided that equalizes pressure on both sides of the blockage, allowing air to flow into the lower pressure section
Implementation Method 3
a restrictor to reduce liquid velocity and slow down liquid influx
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided herein a breath sampling device comprising a controller adapted to initiate a signal to trigger a valve functionally associated with a breath sampling tube upon said controller receiving a signal indicating a blockage in the breath sampling tube. The valve is adapted to facilitate an increase of pressure within the breath sampling tube between the blockage and a pump functionally associated with the breath sampling tube. There is further provided herein an airway adapter comprising a restrictor located in proximity to a connection point between the airway adapter and a breath sampling tube, wherein the restrictor may be adapted to reduce the flow rate of liquids entering the breath sampling tube. There is further provided herein an airway adapter comprising one or more openings located near a connection point between said airway adapter and a breath sampling tube, wherein said one or more openings are adapted to allow inflow of air to reduce the flow rate of liquids entering the breath sampling tube.