Flow Sensor Assembly with One-Way Valve for High-Frequency Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency jet ventilation systems face inaccuracies in flow rate measurement and triggering of alarms due to the nature of rapid pulses delivered, leading to inaccurate therapeutic gas dosing when used with inhaled therapeutic gases like nitric oxide.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor assembly with a one-way flow valve disposed downstream of the sensor outlet, featuring inner diameters of the valve inlet and outlet greater than or equal to those of the sensor inlet and outlet, prevents backflow and improves flow rate measurement accuracy, reducing dose fluctuations and alarm frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small barbed check valve is disposed directly upstream of the humidifier, then the system structure is simple, but flow rate measurement accuracy deteriorates and dose fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flow sensor assembly with a single interior chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the check valve and the humidifier. This assembly integrates the flow sensor, check valve, and humidifier into a unified structure where the sensor chamber provides a stable environment for accurate flow measurement during high-frequency jet ventilation pulses
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sensor, check valve, and humidifier are merged into a single integrated flow sensor assembly with one interior chamber. This combination eliminates the need for separate components and connections, reducing structural complexity while improving flow measurement accuracy by providing a unified sensing environment
2Ease of operation
If the check valve is moved closer to the flow sensor, then the valve is positioned more optimally, but flow rate alarms still occur and dosing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor and check valve are merged into a single integrated assembly sharing one interior chamber. This integration ensures that the valve positioning is optimized within the sensor chamber environment, eliminating the reliability issues that occurred when the valve was merely moved closer to the sensor in separate components
3Extent of automation
If a flow sensor is inserted into the respiratory circuit to measure flow rate for therapeutic gas dosing, then therapeutic gas dosing can be controlled, but flow rate measurement becomes inaccurate or undetected due to high-frequency pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor is merged with the check valve and humidifier into a single integrated assembly. This integration ensures that the sensor operates within a stable chamber environment that is optimized for high-frequency pulse detection, maintaining automated dosing control while improving measurement precision
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 solution enhances the accuracy of flow rate measurements and reduces therapeutic gas delivery device alarms, ensuring precise dosing and stable operation during high-frequency jet ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
The flow sensor assembly further includes a one-way flow valve disposed downstream of the sensor gas outlet in the flow sensor assembly. The one-way flow valve includes a valve gas inlet and a valve gas outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor connected with the therapeutic gas delivery device and configured to measure a flow rate of the breathing gas from the high-frequency ventilator.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas delivery system and method are provided that include a therapeutic gas delivery device, and a high-frequency ventilator delivering a breathing gas to a respiratory circuit. The therapeutic gas delivery system also includes a flow sensor assembly having a single interior chamber. The flow sensor assembly includes a flow sensor connected with the therapeutic gas delivery device and configured to measure a flow rate of the breathing gas. The flow sensor has a sensor gas inlet and a sensor gas outlet. The flow sensor assembly further includes a one-way flow valve disposed downstream of the sensor gas outlet. The one-way flow valve includes a valve gas inlet and a valve gas outlet. Inner diameters of the valve gas inlet and the valve gas outlet are greater than or equal to an inner diameter of at least one of the sensor gas inlet and the sensor gas outlet.