Homogenization Device for Optical Detection in Dialysis Hoses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detection devices for medical tube systems, particularly in dialysis, face challenges in providing spatially resolved and non-destructive analysis of blood components due to inhomogeneous illumination caused by the cylindrical shape of tubes, leading to misinterpretation of measurements and inability to detect short-term disturbances effectively.

Innovation Solution

A detection device with a homogenization system that uses a scattering plate or diffuser film to ensure homogeneous illumination of the tube section, compensating for unequal optical path lengths and absorption variations by strategically placing light-absorbing substances in the homogenization device, which is positioned between the light source and the tube to provide a uniform light distribution before it enters the tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source directly illuminates the tube section, then the illumination intensity is high, but the light distribution is inhomogeneous due to the cylindrical shape of the tube and different optical path lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidhomogeneity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A homogenization device is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the tube section. This device receives light from the light source and redistributes it uniformly across the tube section, mediating the interaction between the light source and the tube to achieve homogeneous illumination while maintaining high intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The homogenization device modifies the spatial distribution parameters of the light by varying the concentration of light-absorbing substances in different regions. This parameter change transforms the inhomogeneous light distribution into a homogeneous one, compensating for the cylindrical geometry effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If detector arrays are used for spatially resolved measurement, then spatial information can be obtained, but misinterpretation occurs due to inhomogeneous illumination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The homogenization device acts as a mediator that ensures uniform light distribution across the entire detector array field of view. This eliminates the inhomogeneous illumination that would otherwise cause misinterpretation of spatial information, allowing accurate measurement without loss of information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The core function of the homogenization device is to create homogeneous illumination across the measurement field. By ensuring uniform light distribution, the device enables the detector array to accurately capture spatial information without artifacts caused by illumination variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Power

If the tube acts as a lens, then light can be focused, but inhomogeneous light distribution is created on the detector array

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight focusing capabilityVSAvoiduniformity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The homogenization device is positioned to intercept light before it passes through the tube and creates lens effects. By homogenizing the light distribution at this intermediate stage, the device prevents the tube's lensing effect from creating inhomogeneous patterns on the detector array

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for accurate, spatially resolved imaging and detection of air bubbles, contaminants, and other inhomogeneities within the tube, enhancing the ability to quantify and identify air bubbles and contaminants, thereby improving patient safety by preventing foreign substances from entering the bloodstream during dialysis.

Implementation Method 1

a homogenization device, which is arranged at a position between the at least one light source and the tube section and is configured to generate a homogeneous and/or isotropic distribution of the light from the at least one light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The homogenizing device is preferably a scattering plate, a diffuser film or a transparent medium with a roughened surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

the homogenization device has predetermined concentrations of light-absorbing substances along a direction perpendicular to the direction of radiation in predetermined areas of the homogenization device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3296717B1Detection device for a medium in a hose section
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 B BRAUN AVITUM
  • EP3296717B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3296717B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3296717B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A detection device for a medium in a hose section (30) comprises at least one light source (10) arranged at a first position relative to the hose section (30) through which light can pass and configured to emit light onto the hose section (30), a detector device (50) arranged at a second position relative to the hose section (30) and configured to receive light passing through the hose section (30) from the at least one light source (10) and to analyze a medium in the hose section (30) with spatial resolution, and a homogenization device (20) arranged at a position between the at least one light source (10) and the hose section (30) and configured toto detect and quantify brightness differences due to local differences in the medium in the tube section (30), to generate a homogeneous and/or isotropic distribution of the light from the at least one light source (10) before the light enters the tube section (30).