Diving Computer ICD Detection and Ascent Retardation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diving computers fail to effectively detect and address deep tissue isobaric counter diffusion (ICD) situations during ascent, which can lead to dangerous gas exchanges and increased risk of decompression sickness due to improper ascent profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor breathing gas composition and ambient pressure to detect potential ICD situations, immediately retarding the ascent profile by implementing a decompression stop or slowed ascent to prevent tissue damage, using a processor and display to provide real-time guidance to divers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the diver performs a gas exchange during ascent from deep, then the available gases are adapted to prevailing conditions, but a wrong gas exchange can lead to rapid increase in nitrogen partial pressure while helium is still high in tissues, causing deep tissue isobaric counter diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of tissue gas tensions before the diver ascends, identifying potential ICD risks in advance. The ascent profile is pre-adjusted to prevent dangerous gas exchanges by calculating safe ascent rates that account for current tissue helium levels and predicted nitrogen uptake, thereby preventing the harmful condition before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the diver's depth, gas mixture, and calculated tissue gas tensions, providing real-time feedback on ICD risk. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the recommended ascent profile, slowing the ascent rate when tissue helium levels are high and nitrogen uptake is predicted to be rapid, thereby preventing ICD while allowing flexible gas exchanges when safe.
2Productivity
If the diving computer calculates a standard ascent profile, then the ascent time is optimized, but it fails to detect ICD situations leading to improper ascent profiles and increased DCS risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates tissue gas tensions and ICD risk in advance during the descent and bottom phase, preparing corrected ascent profile data before the ascent begins. This preliminary calculation ensures that when the ascent starts, the computer already has the appropriate safety factors built in, maintaining efficiency while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares the calculated ICD risk against safety thresholds during the ascent, providing real-time feedback that adjusts the recommended ascent rate. This feedback mechanism ensures that the ascent profile remains both efficient and safe by dynamically responding to actual tissue gas conditions rather than following a fixed pre-programmed profile.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system implements immediate corrective actions by retarding the ascent profile, then tissue damage risk is reduced, but the ascent time increases due to decompression stops or slowed ascent
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial corrective action by retarding only the portions of the ascent profile where ICD risk is identified, rather than imposing a complete decompression stop. The ascent rate is slowed selectively during high-risk phases while maintaining normal rates during low-risk phases, thereby reducing tissue damage risk while minimizing additional ascent time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the ascent rate parameter based on real-time calculation of tissue gas tensions and ICD risk. Rather than applying fixed decompression stops, the system adjusts the continuous ascent rate parameter to match the actual physiological risk, optimizing the balance between safety and time efficiency by applying corrective action only when and where needed.
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
Prevents dangerous gas exchanges by recognizing ICD situations and adjusting the ascent profile, reducing the risk of tissue damage and decompression sickness through immediate corrective actions.
Implementation Method 1
The rate of collection and release of gases is tissue-specific and vary considerably. The accumulated nitrogen can causes problems when the diver rises towards the surface, and the ambient pressure decreases. Nitrogen and other gases can be released from the tissues of the diver leading to an increased risk of decompression sickness (DSC).
Implementation Method 2
The partial pressure of precisely nitrogen and helium is therefore monitored carefully when diving. This calculation or determination is performed on the basis of the diving profile and decompression model, as well as of the prevailing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method, device and computer program product for monitoring or planning a dive of a diver. The method includes providing data on the composition of gases breathed by the diver during the dive, providing data on the depth or ambient pressure of the diver, and using a model to provide a safe ascent profile for the diver based on the data on the composition of gases and on the depth or ambient pressure. According to the invention, the method further comprising detecting, based on the data on the composition of gases, a gas composition change which may lead to a deep tissue isobaric counter diffusion situation, and the model comprising means for immediately temporally retarding the ascent profile if such gas composition change is detected. The invention can be used to mitigate the harmful effects of dangerous breathing gas changes during diving.