Ergospirometry Device Optical Gas Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ergospirometry devices face limitations in sensitivity and speed of evaluation for breathing gas parameters, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, which hinders accurate real-time monitoring during physical exertion.

Innovation Solution

The development of an ergospirometry device incorporating optical sensors using luminescence quenching and dual emission principles, with Rapid Lifetime Determination (RLD) and phase modulation for oxygen concentration detection, and non-dispersive infrared sensors for carbon dioxide, enabling rapid and sensitive measurements within a small measuring volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sensors are used for detecting respiratory gas parameters, then the device structure is simple, but the sensitivity and speed of evaluation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitivity of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of optical sensor system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical sensors with optical sensors that utilize luminescence quenching and dual emission principles. This substitution enables highly sensitive detection of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations through optical field interactions, achieving rapid evaluation speeds while maintaining manageable device complexity through well-established optical measurement techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing luminescence lifetime and intensity ratios as detection parameters. By measuring the lifetime of luminescent decay curves and comparing intensity ratios at different wavelengths, the system achieves high sensitivity in detecting respiratory gas parameters, transforming the detection mechanism from conventional electrical signals to optical parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If fast response time is achieved through rapid measurement, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse time of gas concentration detectionVSAvoidaccuracy of respiratory gas parameter measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using pulsed excitation光源 to stimulate the luminescent material. By applying periodic excitation pulses and measuring the luminescence decay curves, the system achieves rapid response times while maintaining measurement precision through repeated measurements and statistical analysis of the decay characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the luminescence decay curves and adjusting measurement parameters in real-time. The system uses the measured lifetime values to dynamically optimize detection sensitivity, ensuring both fast response and high precision in respiratory gas parameter measurement through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device achieves high sensitivity and fast response times, capable of detecting oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations with a response time of less than 0.1 seconds and a dynamic range of up to 9 orders of magnitude, facilitating precise real-time monitoring of breathing gas parameters.

Implementation Method 1

The detection of the oxygen concentration may be based on a luminescence quenching principle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence quenching: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

an optical carbon dioxide sensor (or infrared carbon dioxide sensor)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the lifetime evaluation (e.g., the luminescence or physical lifetime of a luminescence decay curve) by associating the measured lifetime with the oxygen concentration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence decay: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 4

Alternatively (or additionally), the lifetime can be determined by phase modulation. With phase modulation, the lifetime is determined using the tangent of the phase shift divided by the excitation frequency.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP4467072A1Ergospirometry device and corresponding manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 KNESTEL TECH & ELEKTRONIK
  • EP4467072A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4467072A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4467072A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an ergospirometry device for detecting parameters of a breathing gas, comprising a base body 1, which has a breathing mask or a mouthpiece and a breathing gas guide section 5, and a measuring device 4 for detecting parameters of the breathing gas, which has a computing unit 3 for processing the detected parameters of the breathing gas, wherein the parameters of the breathing gas include at least an oxygen concentration and/or a carbon dioxide concentration in the breathing gas, wherein the measuring device 4 has at least one optical oxygen sensor 10 for detecting the oxygen concentration of the breathing gas and/or an optical carbon dioxide sensor, and wherein the detection of the oxygen concentration is based on a principle of luminescence quenching and/or a principle of dual emission.