Contactless Temperature Sensor for Respiration Humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiration humidifiers face challenges with the handling and reliability of temperature measurement, particularly in disposable systems, where reusable temperature sensors require cleaning and sterilization, leading to hygiene risks and increased costs, and in reusable systems, where cables and connections can cause operational reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A contactless temperature-measuring device using a hollow body with an infrared detector integrated into the breathing gas flow channel, eliminating the need for cables and direct contact, allowing for precise temperature measurement without hygiene risks and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reusable temperature sensor is used in disposable flexible breathing tube systems, then temperature measurement is enabled, but cleaning and sterilization are required leading to hygiene risks and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measurement function is segmented from the disposable breathing tube system. A separate disposable temperature sensor is integrated into the humidifier body, allowing the breathing tube to remain simple and disposable while temperature measurement capability is maintained through the separate sensor component.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the disposable breathing tube system and placed in the humidifier body. This extraction eliminates the need to sterilize the breathing tube while maintaining temperature measurement functionality, as the sensor is located in the reusable humidifier portion.
2Measurement precision
If a reusable temperature sensor connected by cable is used, then temperature measurement is enabled, but cable cleaning and disinfection are required leading to limited operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor and its connection are extracted from the disposable breathing tube system and integrated into the reusable humidifier body. This eliminates cables and plug connections from the disposable portion, simplifying the system and improving reliability by removing components that require repeated cleaning and disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cable and plug connection system is replaced by integrating the temperature sensor directly into the humidifier body with electronic connections. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable connections in the disposable portion, reducing complexity and improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is integrated as a fixed component in the flexible breathing tube system, then handling is simplified, but costs increase when the sensor is disposed of with the tube system
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is segmented from the disposable breathing tube system and placed in the reusable humidifier body. This segmentation allows the expensive sensor to be reused across multiple tube systems, reducing overall costs while maintaining simplified handling through integrated measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If disposable flexible tube systems are used with reusable temperature sensors, then temperature measurement is enabled, but the sensors must be cleaned and sterilized after use
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the disposable breathing tube system and integrated into the reusable humidifier body. This extraction eliminates the need to clean and sterilize the sensor after each use with disposable tubes, as the sensor remains in the reusable humidifier portion that undergoes less frequent cleaning cycles.
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 solution provides improved handling and reliability of temperature measurement, minimizing environmental effects and costs by enabling contactless detection of breathing gas temperatures, reducing the need for cleaning and disinfection, and eliminating cable-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The hollow body may have an emission coefficient of about 1.0 for heat radiation
Implementation Method 2
An infrared detector may face in a direction of the inner surface of the hollow body for the contactless detection of the temperature of the hollow body
Data Source
AI summary
A contactless temperature-measuring device especially for a respiration humidifier with a flow channel for breathing gas, which is improved in respect to handling and reliability of measurement. The device includes: a hollow body (1), which is closed towards the flow channel (2, 6), extends into the flow channel (2, 6) for assuming the temperature in the flow channel (2, 6); and an infrared detector (3, 7) is directed toward the inner surface of the hollow body (1) extending into the flow channel (2, 6) for the contactless detection of the temperature of the hollow body (1).