Fluid Sensor Ultrasonic Bubble Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid sensors in medical applications face challenges with high error rates and large footprints, particularly in detecting pressure changes and air bubbles in fluid delivery conduits, which can affect the accuracy of fluid administration.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sensor design featuring an ultrasonic transmitter and pressure sensor housed within a singular unit, with a gap to accommodate a fluid delivery conduit, utilizing frequency-based analysis to detect bubbles and pressure changes, minimizing the sensor's footprint and error rate through dual signal component detection (AC and DC) and adjustable compression to ensure accurate contact with the conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid sensors are used to detect pressure changes and air bubbles, then detection functionality is provided, but the error rate is high and the footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ultrasonic transmitter and pressure sensor into a single integrated sensor unit with a common housing. The ultrasonic transmitter emits signals through the fluid delivery conduit while the pressure sensor detects pressure changes, and both functions are housed together in one compact device, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: bubble detection via ultrasonic signals, pressure change detection, and fluid flow monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors, reducing the overall system footprint while improving reliability through coordinated multi-parameter monitoring
2Area of stationary object
If the ultrasonic transmitter and pressure sensor are positioned close together, then the footprint is minimized, but contact with the fluid delivery conduit may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor incorporates an adjustable compression mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the force applied to the fluid delivery conduit. This enables the sensor to maintain optimal contact pressure regardless of conduit positioning variations, ensuring reliable signal transmission while keeping the sensor footprint compact
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force applied to the fluid delivery conduit can be adjusted as a variable parameter to optimize contact between the sensor faces and the conduit. By changing this physical parameter, the system achieves precise contact for accurate detection while maintaining a compact overall sensor design
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 effectively reduces error rates and minimizes the sensor's footprint, enabling accurate detection of bubbles and pressure changes, ensuring precise fluid administration by utilizing dual signal components and adjustable compression for enhanced contact with the conduit.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transmitter configured to emit ultrasonic signals through an emitting face
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure changes through a receiving face
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sensing apparatus and method for detecting pressure and a presence of a bubble within a fluid tube. The fluid sensing apparatus comprises a housing configured to receive a portion of the fluid tube and to house a pressure sensor and an ultrasonic transmitter. The pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the fluid tube and is configured to receive a pressure sensor signal, which correlates to a detected pressure differential within the fluid tube. A controller transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic transmitter, which emits ultrasonic waves through a portion of the fluid tube and to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor receives both the ultrasonic waves and the pressure sensor signal, and subsequently transmits an output signal to the controller. In a presence of the detected pressure differential or the bubble within the fluid tube, the output signal will exhibit a DC shift or a distortion of signal characteristics of the output signal, respectively.