Digit Gauge for Noninvasive Optical Sensor Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Caregivers face challenges in selecting the appropriate size of noninvasive optical sensors for patient monitoring, leading to potential inaccuracies due to mismatches between sensor sizes and patient digit sizes, often caused by misunderstandings, improper supply management, or emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A digit gauge is designed to quickly and accurately match the size of a patient's digit to the appropriate optical sensor, featuring a tab with a circular or oval opening that indicates proper fit by visibility of the finger cuticle, and can be fixedly associated with the sensor to prevent misplacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digit gauge is provided with each sensor to ensure proper sizing, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digit gauge is integrated with the sensor assembly as a single unit, combining the sizing tool and sensor into one component. This eliminates the need for separate sizing devices while ensuring proper sensor selection, thereby improving measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The digit gauge provides preliminary sizing determination before sensor application. By establishing the correct sensor size in advance through the gauge's opening comparison, the system prevents measurement errors from improper sizing while maintaining a straightforward workflow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor sizes are kept in supply to match different patient digits, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time in selection and potential for error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digit gauge enables rapid preliminary assessment of the appropriate sensor size by directly comparing the patient's digit against the gauge's opening. This preliminary sizing action eliminates the need for caregivers to mentally determine the correct size from multiple options, significantly reducing selection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The digit gauge serves as an intermediary tool between the patient's digit and the sensor selection process. By providing a visual reference standard with defined openings, it mediates the selection process objectively, reducing errors and time associated with subjective judgment.
3Reliability
If the digit gauge is fixedly associated with the sensor, then reliability of size matching is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The digit gauge and sensor are manufactured as an integrated assembly rather than separate components. This merging ensures that the gauge remains fixedly associated with its corresponding sensor, guaranteeing consistent size matching reliability while using standard manufacturing processes for molded assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a digit gauge used to ensure the size of a patient's digit is appropriate for the medical sensor applied thereto.