Eddy Current Pressure Sensing for Surgical Cassettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pressure sensing methods in surgical cassettes face challenges due to contamination on the cassette surface, leading to inaccurate and unreliable pressure measurements, especially when using low-cost sensors with electrical connections or mechanical contact elements like springs and magnets.
Innovation Solution
A non-contacting pressure sensing system utilizing a cassette-mounted pressure sensing diaphragm and a console-mounted eddy current displacement sensor, which measures deflection without external forces, providing high accuracy and immunity to surface contaminants like liquid or debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pressure sensors with electrical connections are used in surgical cassettes, then the system can perform pressure sensing, but the accuracy deteriorates due to contamination on the cassette surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure sensors with a non-contacting magnetic field-based sensing system. The surgical console uses a magnetic field generator and sensor to detect pressure diaphragm deflection without physical contact, eliminating the problem of contamination affecting sensor accuracy while maintaining reliable pressure sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the pressure diaphragm and the sensing system. The magnetic field couples the pressure diaphragm's mechanical deflection to the sensor's detection capability, allowing accurate measurement without direct contact between the sensor and contaminated cassette surface.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical contact elements like springs and magnets are used to couple the LVDT to the pressure diaphragm, then the system can measure pressure diaphragm deflection, but the accuracy and repeatability deteriorate due to spring force and friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact elements (springs and magnets) by using a non-contacting magnetic field coupling system. The magnetic field generator creates a field that interacts with the pressure diaphragm's metallic surface, allowing deflection measurement without mechanical forces that would introduce variability and reduce repeatability.
3Ease of operation
If laser triangulation displacement sensors are used to measure pressure diaphragm deflection, then the system can achieve non-contact measurement, but spurious readings occur due to liquid or debris on the diaphragm surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical laser triangulation sensing with magnetic field-based sensing. The magnetic field penetrates and interacts with the metallic pressure diaphragm surface regardless of contamination, providing non-contact measurement that is immune to liquid or debris interference while maintaining reading accuracy.
4Ease of manufacture
If inexpensive pressure sensors are built into the cassettes, then the system can perform pressure sensing, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a magnetic field as an intermediary that enables high-accuracy pressure measurement without requiring expensive sensors in the cassette. The magnetic coupling system allows the surgical console to accurately measure pressure diaphragm deflection using standard, cost-effective components while achieving precision comparable to expensive sensors.
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
This solution enables high-accuracy, fluid-contact-free pressure measurement in surgical cassettes, improving reliability and reducing the impact of surface contaminants, while eliminating the need for external force-generating elements like springs or friction.
Implementation Method 1
a console mounted eddy current displacement sensor
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field generator for generating at least one first magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A system for pressure measurement within a surgical system is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure sensitive disc in communication with at least one applied pressure a magnetic field generator for generating at least one first magnetic field, and at least one sensor for measuring at least one second magnetic field, wherein the at least one first magnetic field at least partially creates the at least second magnetic field; and wherein the at least one sensor produces signal indicative of the distance between the at least one sensor and the at least one second magnetic field.