Medical Device Fluid Port Inductive Signal Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices with fluid connections, such as respirators, face challenges in reliable radio frequency signal transmission due to the distance between antennas and transponders caused by sockets, and the variable rotation positions of connections, which hinder both inductive and radio frequency signal reliability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of coaxial coils at the connection ends of the socket, connected via an electric line and a capacitor, forms an electric oscillatory circuit that acts as an inductive bridging element, ensuring reliable signal transmission regardless of the relative rotation position between the socket, fluid port, and tube, with the coils also serving as antennas and inductive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radio frequency transmission is used for signal communication between the writing and reading device and the transponder, then wireless communication is enabled, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to the distance between antennas caused by the socket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inductive coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the writing/reading device antenna and the transponder antenna. The socket itself is equipped with an antenna that acts as a mediator, receiving signals from the writing/reading device and transmitting them to the transponder, thereby bridging the distance gap created by the socket's physical presence in the signal path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the signal transmission by positioning the socket's antenna in a specific location and orientation. The antenna is arranged to extend in a direction that optimizes signal coupling, effectively using spatial arrangement to overcome the distance problem introduced by the socket's position between the writing/reading device and the transponder.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the socket allows free rotation relative to the fluid port and tube, then connection flexibility is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable antenna positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radially symmetric antenna arrangement on the socket, where the antenna extends in a direction radially outward from the socket's axis of rotation. This radial geometry ensures that regardless of the socket's rotational position, the antenna maintains an optimal spatial relationship with both the writing/reading device antenna and the transponder antenna, making signal transmission independent of rotation angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial antenna configuration creates an equipotential situation regarding signal transmission quality across all rotation positions. By arranging the antenna radially, the system ensures that signal coupling efficiency remains constant regardless of the socket's angular position, effectively making all rotation positions equivalent in terms of communication reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If sliding contacts are used to achieve electrical connection through the rotatable socket, then electrical conductivity is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding contact system with an inductive coupling system using antennas. Instead of using physical electrical contacts that would require precise alignment and maintenance, the system uses electromagnetic fields to transfer signals and power through the rotatable socket, eliminating the need for complex mechanical electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket's antenna serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the socket and as an antenna for inductive coupling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electrical connection mechanisms, simplifying the overall design while maintaining both electrical connectivity and rotational flexibility.
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 enhances signal transmission reliability and independence from rotation positions, providing a substantial improvement over pure radio frequency transmission by creating a rotationally symmetrical field and tuning the resonance frequency for effective communication between the writing and reading device and the transponder.
Implementation Method 1
The coils form an inductive bridging element, which bridges over a large part of the section between the antenna of the writing and reading device and that of the transponder
Implementation Method 2
it is ensured by the rotationally symmetrical arrangement of the coils in the area of the connection ends of the socket that an essentially rotationally symmetrical field is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device has a fluid port (2), a tube (20), a socket (4), which can be connected to the fluid port and to the tube with freely selectable rotation positions. The tube is provided with a transponder (22) and with a writing and reading device for communication with the transponder, which has an antenna (24) in the area of the fluid port. The socket is provided with a coil (5, 6) each, whose axis of rotation is directed essentially coaxially to the axis of rotation about which the relative rotation position of the socket is variable. The two coils are connected by electric lines (8), to which at least one capacitor (9) is connected as a circuit component. The coils, the electric lines and the circuit component form an electric oscillatory circuit for transmitting signals between the writing and reading device and the transponder.