Breathing Air Monitoring via Lung Oxygen Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hypoxia detection systems for pilots, which monitor oxygen partial pressure in a face mask, often fail to alert pilots in time due to delays in detecting decreased oxygen levels in the blood, leading to potential hypoxia and loss of consciousness.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure the pressure of inhaled air and oxygen partial pressure before it enters the face mask, estimate oxygen partial pressure in the lungs, and provide an early warning through haptic signals if the estimated level falls below a threshold, accounting for physical characteristics of the lungs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If oxygen partial pressure is monitored in the face mask, then the monitoring system can detect oxygen levels, but there is a delay before the system notices that the oxygen partial pressure has dropped below the predetermined level
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by measuring the oxygen partial pressure in the inhaled air before it enters the face mask and by estimating the oxygen partial pressure in the lungs using the alveolar gas equation. This allows the system to predict potential hypoxia conditions before they actually occur in the blood circulation, providing early warning to the pilot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation mechanism that uses the alveolar gas equation to calculate the oxygen partial pressure in the lungs based on measured parameters (inspired oxygen partial pressure, barometric pressure, and alveolar carbon dioxide partial pressure). This intermediary calculation provides a more timely indicator of hypoxia risk than direct blood oxygen monitoring.
2Reliability
If the alarm is activated when oxygen partial pressure in the face mask drops below the predetermined level, then the system provides warning, but the pilot may already be suffering hypoxia by the time the alarm activates
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the alarm based on estimated oxygen partial pressure in the lungs calculated using the alveolar gas equation, which reflects current lung oxygen levels before blood oxygen levels drop. This preliminary detection mechanism provides reliable early warning that gives the pilot sufficient reaction time to take corrective action before hypoxia symptoms manifest.
3Loss of time
If the system uses the alveolar gas equation to estimate oxygen partial pressure in the lungs, then earlier detection of impending hypoxia is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to perform multiple functions using a single integrated approach: it measures barometric pressure, measures inspired oxygen partial pressure, measures alveolar carbon dioxide partial pressure, calculates estimated oxygen partial pressure in the lungs using the alveolar gas equation, and provides alarm warnings. This multi-functional design achieves early hypoxia detection without requiring separate complex systems for each measurement and calculation.
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 earlier detection of impending hypoxia, providing pilots with more time to react and preventing loss of consciousness by automatically calibrating during operation without requiring extra pilot activities.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor for measuring pressure of inhaled air
Implementation Method 2
a partial pressure sensor for measuring partial pressure of oxygen before oxygen enters the face mask
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring breathing air of a person breathing via a face mask (8). In the method pressure of inhaled air and partial pressure of oxygen before oxygen enters in the face mask (8) are measured. A partial pressure of oxygen in lungs of the person is estimated on the basis of the measured pressure of inhaled air and the measured partial pressure of oxygen. Also at least one physical characteristics of lungs is taken into account. The estimated partial pressure of oxygen in lungs is compared with a threshold. An indication of impending hypoxia is provided to the person, if the comparison indicates that the estimated partial pressure of oxygen in lungs is at a level lower than the threshold. The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus (6) for implementing the method.