External Sensor on Gas Guide for Respiratory Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory devices face contamination and security issues due to internal placement of sensors, which affects the accuracy and reliability of measurement data for patients with respiratory insufficiency, particularly those affected by COVID-19.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device with a gas-guide apparatus and sensing apparatus placed on its outer surface to detect real-time data on airway pressure, gas flow rate, and respiratory rate, using tactile sensors and a control device to adjust medical gas delivery and trigger alarms for abnormal readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are placed inside the respiratory device, then measurement data can be obtained, but contamination and security issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement data accuracyVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing apparatus is extracted from the internal position inside the respiratory device and relocated to the external surface of the gas-guide apparatus. This extraction removes the sensor from the harmful contaminated environment while preserving its measurement function through non-invasive detection of respiratory parameters from the outside.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas-guide apparatus serves as an intermediary medium between the patient's respiratory system and the external sensing apparatus. The sensor detects measurements through the wall of the gas-guide apparatus, using the apparatus itself as a mediator that transmits measurement information from the internal respiratory environment to the external sensor without direct contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensors are placed inside the respiratory device, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but reliability decreases due to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the sensing apparatus from the internal contaminated environment and placing it on the external surface of the gas-guide apparatus, the sensor maintains reliable measurement function while being isolated from contamination sources. The extraction principle directly addresses the reliability-contamination contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the gas-guide apparatus wall is made thinner or softer for sensor placement, then sensor attachment is improved, but structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor placementVSAvoidside wall strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gas-guide apparatus is designed with local quality variation where the side wall at the sensor placement position is made thinner or softer compared to other positions. This localized modification facilitates sensor attachment and signal transmission while maintaining adequate structural strength in other critical areas of the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration improves measurement security by avoiding contamination and providing accurate, real-time data for adjusting medical gas delivery, ensuring effective patient monitoring and ventilation support.

Implementation Method 1

detect real-time measurement data of the medical gas passing through the gas-guide apparatus, where the real-time measurement data indicates a change in at least one of an airway pressure, a gas flow rate and a respiratory rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate detection:

Implementation Method 3

the at least one sensing apparatus includes at least one tactile sensor, and the at least one tactile sensor is arranged at a position close to an accessory muscle of the patient; and the measurement data indicates a real-time motion amplitude of the accessory muscle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTactile detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240285882A1Sensing apparatus and method for patient

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 TELESAIR INC

AI summary

A measurement device and a method for monitoring a condition of a patient are provided. The measurement device includes: a gas-guide apparatus, configured to operatively connect between an medical gas provider and a patient side of the measurement device, and deliver medical gas from the medical gas provider to the patient; and at least one sensing apparatus, placed on an outer surface of the gas-guide apparatus and configured to detect real-time measurement data of the medical gas passing through the gas-guide apparatus. In this way, the at least one sensing apparatus is placed on the outer surface of the gas-guide apparatus, since the measurement data is a relative value which indicates a change of internal environment of the gas-guide apparatus, this can also avoid a problem of contamination compared with setting a sensor inside a respiratory device, thus improving the security of the measurement.