Gas Mixer with Oxygen Sensor for Ventilator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas mixing devices struggle to precisely control oxygen concentrations in gas mixtures delivered to patients, particularly in hypoxic situations, posing a risk to patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A gas mixer with multiple lines for different gases, equipped with pressure regulators, mass flow controllers, proportional valves, and sensors, along with an oxygen sensor and control unit, ensures precise control and monitoring of gas mixtures, preventing hypoxic conditions by verifying and adjusting gas concentrations in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing gas mixing devices are used to deliver gas mixtures to patients, then gas delivery is provided, but precise control of oxygen concentration cannot be achieved and hypoxic situations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the oxygen concentration in the gas mixture using an oxygen sensor and comparing it with the target concentration. The control unit adjusts the flow rates of individual gas components through mass flow controllers to maintain the desired oxygen concentration, thereby achieving precise control and detecting hypoxic situations before they reach the patient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces simple mechanical mixing with an electronically controlled system that uses mass flow controllers, pressure sensors, and an oxygen sensor to precisely regulate and monitor gas flows. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control and sensing mechanisms enables accurate measurement and control of oxygen concentration
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple gas sources are mixed without individual control, then gas mixture is delivered, but precise control of each gas component flow cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas delivery system into separate controlled lines for each gas component (oxygen, air, medical gas). Each line is equipped with its own mass flow controller and pressure regulator, allowing independent and precise control of each gas component's flow rate while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including proportional valves and mass flow controllers that can continuously adjust gas flow rates in real-time. This dynamic adjustment capability allows precise control of gas concentrations while the control unit coordinates all components to manage the overall system complexity
3Reliability
If oxygen concentration is not monitored in real-time, then gas mixture delivery is simple, but hypoxic situations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an oxygen sensor that continuously monitors the oxygen concentration in the mixed gas and provides feedback to the control unit. This real-time monitoring and feedback mechanism enables reliable detection of hypoxic situations while the control unit automatically adjusts flows to prevent hypoxia, making the monitoring integration seamless
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 enables precise delivery of gas mixtures with controlled oxygen concentrations, ensuring patient safety by preventing unintentional hypoxia and maintaining minimum 21% oxygen levels, thereby enhancing the reliability of gas administration systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first mass flow controller comprising a first proportional valve and a first mass flow sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure regulator, a first pressure sensor and a first mass flow controller
Implementation Method 3
an oxygen sensor is arranged on the admission line
Implementation Method 4
a first mass flow controller comprising a first proportional valve and a first mass flow sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a gas mixer (1) that is adapted for providing a gas mixture to a mechanical ventilator, comprising a mixing vessel (53), a first line (10) for providing a first gas, a second line (20) for providing a second gas and a third line (30) for providing a third gas, said first, second and third lines (10, 20, 30) being in fluid communication with the mixing vessel (53) for proving said first, second and third gases to said mixing vessel (53) and obtaining a gas mixture in said mixing vessel (53), and a delivery line (60) in fluid communication with the mixing vessel (53) for recovering at least a part of the gas mixture contained in the mixing vessel (53). The first lines (10) comprises a first pressure regulator (11), a first pressure sensor (12) and a first mass flow controller (14, 15) comprising a first proportional valve (14) and a first mass flow sensor (15). The second line (20) comprises a second pressure regulator (21), a second pressure sensor (22) and a second mass flow controller (24, 25) comprising a second proportional valve (24) and a second mass flow sensor (25). The third line (30) comprises a third pressure regulator (31), a third pressure sensor (32) and a third mass flow controller (34, 35) comprising a third proportional valve (34) and a third mass flow sensor (35). The first, the second and the third lines (10, 20, 30 30) are in fluid communication with the mixing vessel (53) via an admission line (50). An oxygen sensor (51) is arranged on the admission line (50).