Capnography Gas Tube Illumination for Respiratory Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current breath sampling analyzers, such as capnographs, lack effective visual indicators for medical personnel to quickly assess breath-related parameters and respiratory status, and do not provide clear signals for incorrect device placement.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an illumination module with LED or laser diode arrays in capnographs and breath sampling assemblies to produce visible illumination patterns in gas tubes, which correlate with respiratory and physiological parameters, and indicate incorrect device fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional capnograph displays are used showing detailed capnograms, then comprehensive breath analysis is provided, but visual information is complex and difficult to quickly interpret

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual information clarityVSAvoiddisplay complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the most critical information from the complex capnogram waveform and presents it separately through simplified visual indicators. The illumination pattern extracts key parameters (breath presence, respiration rate, CO2 levels) from the full waveform display, allowing medical personnel to quickly grasp essential information without being overwhelmed by the complete graphical representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color changes in the illumination pattern to encode different respiratory parameters and states. Different colors or intensity levels indicate different CO2 concentrations, respiration rates, or breath quality, transforming complex numerical and graphical data into intuitive visual signals that are immediately recognizable and reduce interpretation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If no visual indicators are provided in the gas tube, then device structure remains simple, but medical personnel cannot quickly assess breath parameters or detect incorrect placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary illumination system that acts as a mediator between the breath sampling function and the medical personnel. The light source, positioned within the gas tube, serves as an intermediary carrier that conveys respiratory information through visual patterns, bridging the gap between the physiological data and the observer without requiring complex external display equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas tube is given multiple functions: it not only transports breath samples but also serves as a display medium for respiratory parameters. The illumination system integrated into the gas tube structure allows the same component to perform both sampling and visualization functions, reducing the need for separate indicator devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If illumination patterns are added to indicate breath parameters and placement correctness, then visual feedback is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice placement verificationVSAvoidillumination energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when breath detection is required or when parameter updates are needed. The light source can pulse or cycle through different patterns corresponding to respiratory cycles, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable visual feedback for placement verification and parameter monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system is designed to be self-regulating, where the presence of breath itself can trigger or modulate the illumination pattern. The system automatically adjusts its operation based on detected respiratory activity, eliminating the need for continuous high-energy operation and reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable indication only when clinically relevant information is present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Provides medical personnel with simplified, visual feedback on breath-related parameters and respiratory status, and ensures correct device placement through intuitive illumination patterns, enhancing monitoring efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination source configured to produce a light beam that travels along a length of the gas tube, thereby producing the illumination pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11510591B2Capnography systems with indicator lights

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 ORIDION MEDICAL 1987

AI summary

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for producing an illumination pattern in a gas tube of a facially-fitting device, which is used in conjunction with a capnograph. The illumination pattern is determined by at least one illumination parameter, derived at least from measured CO2 data, such that the illumination pattern is indicative of at least one breath-related/physiological parameter and/or one or more of the respiratory/physiological conditions determined/assessed based at least on the CO2 data.