Disposable Sampling Chamber for Respiratory Gas Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that monitor the composition of breathable gas in respiratory circuits require a pump to draw a measurement flow, which is not returned to the therapeutic flow due to practical and cost concerns, leading to inefficiencies and waste of expensive gases.
Innovation Solution
A detector device with a housing, flow path element dock, radiation source, sensor assembly, pump actuator, and controller that removably engages a flow path element to form an enclosed path for breathable gas, allowing for measurement and return of the gas without exposing non-disposable components to the gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pump is used to draw measurement flow through a sampling chamber, then gas composition monitoring is enabled, but the measurement flow cannot be returned to the therapeutic flow requiring disposal or sterilization of pump components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas flow path into separate segments: a disposable flow path element that contacts the measurement flow and a reusable pump housing that does not. This segmentation allows the pump components to remain outside the measurement flow path, eliminating the need for sterilization or disposal while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable flow path element acts as an intermediary between the pump and the measurement flow. This intermediary allows the pump to draw gas through the sampling chamber without direct contact between pump components and the measurement flow, solving the sterilization problem while enabling continuous monitoring.
2Reliability
If measurement flow is not returned to therapeutic flow, then pump component contamination is avoided, but expensive breathable gas is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into disposable and reusable portions, allowing the measurement flow to be redirected back to the therapeutic flow through the disposable flow path element while keeping pump components contaminated-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards only the disposable flow path element after use while recovering and returning the expensive breathable gas back to the therapeutic flow, minimizing substance loss while maintaining pump reliability.
3Device complexity
If pump components are exposed to measurement flow, then simpler system design is achieved, but sterilization or disposal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable pump housing and a disposable flow path element. This segmentation maintains relative design simplicity while eliminating sterilization requirements for the pump components by keeping them outside the measurement flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable flow path element is introduced as a low-cost, single-use component that protects the expensive pump components from contamination. This allows the pump to maintain simple design without requiring sterilization or disposal of its components.
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 efficient monitoring and reuse of breathable gas by creating a closed loop system, conserving expensive gases and reducing contamination by reintroducing measured gas back into the therapeutic flow.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation source is housed within the housing and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the flow path element while the flow path element is docked in the flow path element dock. The sensor assembly is housed within the housing and configured such that, while the flow path element is docked in the flow path element dock and the radiation source emits electromagnetic radiation into the flow path element, the sensor assembly receives electromagnetic radiation that has been emitted by the radiation source and has passed through the flow path formed in the flow path element.
Data Source
AI summary
A detector to measure composition of a flow of gas from a respiratory circuit. The detector includes a housing and a removable flow path element. The removable flow path element includes an inlet, a sampling chamber, a pump section including a membrane and an actuator interface, and an outlet. A flow path element dock is formed by the housing with the flow path element dock to removably engage the removable flow path element. A radiation source within the housing emits radiation into a sampling chamber of the removable flow path element while the removable flow path element is docked in the flow path element dock. A sensor is housed within the housing. A pump actuator and controller are within the housing to drive the pump to maintain the flow rate of the flow of breathable gas through an enclosed flow path.