Capnography Accessory Detection via Side Leak Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capnography and respiratory gas analyzers face reliability issues due to non-standard patient accessories, leading to unreliable CO2 measurements and potential clinical misinterpretation, as these accessories may not provide the necessary flow resistance or characteristics for accurate gas sampling.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory gas flow coupling system with a device connector featuring a side-oriented leak path, which includes a female receptacle or male nipple that seals when connected with a compatible patient accessory connector, allowing for the detection of an operational and gas-tight connection, thereby ensuring accurate respiratory gas analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-standard patient accessory is connected with the capnography device, then connection versatility is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a leak path detection mechanism that proactively checks for proper accessory connection before CO2 measurements are taken. The system detects leaks through dedicated leak paths in the connector, preventing unreliable measurements by identifying incompatible accessories in advance, thus maintaining measurement reliability while allowing connection versatility.
2Ease of operation
If a shorter male nipple connector is used, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a leak path as an intermediary detection mechanism between the connector and the measurement system. The leak path serves as a mediator that reveals whether the connected accessory has the proper length and sealing characteristics, allowing the system to distinguish between compatible and incompatible accessories regardless of their physical dimensions.
3Device complexity
If standard connector design is used without leak path, then device complexity is reduced, but detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the main measurement pathway by creating separate leak paths in the connector. This allows the detection of improper connections to occur independently through dedicated leak detection channels, enabling connection verification without adding significant complexity to the overall connector structure.
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 effectively detects the connection of a recommended patient accessory, preventing leaks and ensuring reliable CO2 measurements by differentiating between compatible and non-compatible accessories, thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of capnography data.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operatively connected to draw air flow from the device connector and from the side-oriented leak path through the respiratory gas measurement cell
Implementation Method 2
The patient accessory connector seals the side-oriented leak path of the female receptacle or male nipple of the device connector when the patient accessory connector is connected with the device connector
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory gas flow coupling includes a device connector having a female receptacle or male nipple with a side-oriented leak path. A patient accessory connector has a male nipple or female receptacle adapted to connect with the female receptacle or male nipple of the device connector. The patient accessory connector seals the side-oriented leak path of the female receptacle or male nipple of the device connector when the patient accessory connector is connected with the device connector. The side-oriented leak path is disposed at a position such that a shorter male nipple or female receptacle of an incompatible patient accessory connector which is shorter than the male nipple of the patient accessory connector does not seal the side-oriented leak path when the incompatible patient accessory connector with the shorter male nipple is connected with the device connector.