Gel-Coupled Force Sensor for Light-Based Fluid Occlusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid occlusion sensors are limited by features such as a steel ball that blocks light from reaching the photosensitive force sensing element, reducing accuracy in detecting bubbles and blockages.
Innovation Solution
A gel-coupled force sensor with a substrate, force sensing element, ASIC, gel, mesh, and membrane layer, surrounded by a housing, which includes light sources or ultrasonic transducers to measure light or ultrasonic signal changes for precise occlusion detection without a steel ball, enhancing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a steel ball is used in conventional fluid occlusion sensors, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the steel ball blocks light from reaching the photosensitive force sensing element, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the steel ball component from the sensor structure entirely. The force sensing element is directly exposed to light without any obstructing elements, allowing light to pass through the fluid and reach the photosensitive material unimpeded. This extraction of the blocking element resolves the contradiction by eliminating the source of measurement interference while maintaining structural simplicity through direct coupling of the force sensing element to the fluid interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gel layer as an intermediary between the force sensing element and the fluid. This gel medium allows light to pass through while providing mechanical coupling between the fluid and the force sensing element. The gel acts as a transparent mediator that transmits both light and mechanical force, enabling accurate occlusion detection without light blocking while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a steel ball is used to transfer force in conventional sensors, then the mechanical force transmission is straightforward, but it creates harmful interference by blocking light paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the steel ball mechanical force transmission system with a gel-based force sensing element. The gel material provides continuous mechanical coupling between the fluid and the sensing element, eliminating the need for discrete mechanical components like steel balls. This substitution maintains reliable force transmission while removing the light-blocking harmful factor, as the gel is optically transparent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining gel material with photosensitive force sensing elements. The gel provides mechanical properties for force transmission while allowing optical properties for light transmission. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of reliable force transmission and elimination of light blocking interference by integrating materials with complementary properties.
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 provides increased accuracy and precision in detecting bubbles and blockages by eliminating the steel ball interference, allowing for effective occlusion sensing in fluid flow tubes.
Implementation Method 1
a gel for covering the at least one force sensing element, wherein the gel surrounds the force sensing element
Implementation Method 2
the first light source is proximate to the substrate and is configured to emit light through the fluid flow tube to illuminate the fluid contained within the fluid flow tube
Implementation Method 3
at least one force sensing element coupled to the substrate
Implementation Method 4
a membrane layer proximate to the barrier layer, wherein the membrane layer is coupled to the cover and wherein the membrane layer protrudes at least a distance past an edge of the cover
Data Source
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AI summary
A device comprising a gel-coupled force sensor for detecting bubbles and/or blockages in fluids using light sources and/or ultrasonic transducers is provided. The devices may include a housing having a gel-coupled force sensor, wherein the gel-coupled force sensor comprises a substrate, at least one force sensing element, at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a cover for the at least one force sensing element and the at least one ASIC, a gel for covering the force sensing element, a mesh layer proximate to the top of the gel, a barrier layer proximate to the mesh layer, and a membrane layer proximate to the barrier layer protruding at least a distance past an edge of the cover. The gel-coupled force sensor may surround a fluid flow tube. The housing may comprise a first light source and a second light source and/or an ultrasonic transducer.