Inductive Anesthetic Vaporizer Isolating Heating Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional anesthetic vaporizers face challenges in delivering anesthetic agents efficiently at high flow rates due to bulk boiling, which results in slow response times and a risk of electrical sparking in oxygen-enriched environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of an inductive heating element housed within a gas-tight barrier, which heats a ferromagnetic collar or capillary pump to vaporize the anesthetic agent, allowing for precise control of vapor output and reducing the risk of electrical sparking by isolating electronic components from the oxygen-enriched environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional bulk boiling heating method is used, then high anesthetic agent concentrations can be achieved, but response time is slow and electrical sparking risk increases in oxygen-enriched environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidelectrical sparking risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into two distinct components: an inductive heating element positioned outside the vaporizing chamber and a ferromagnetic heating element positioned inside the chamber. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be isolated from the oxygen-enriched environment while still providing effective heating, thereby reducing electrical sparking risk and improving response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ferromagnetic collar or ferromagnetic heating element acts as an intermediary between the inductive heating element and the anesthetic agent. The inductive heating element generates a magnetic field that heats the ferromagnetic component, which in turn heats the anesthetic agent for vaporization. This intermediary approach eliminates direct electrical contacts in the oxygen-enriched environment, reducing sparking risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If bulk boiling is used to vaporize anesthetic agent, then sufficient vapor output is achieved, but energy consumption increases and response time slows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor outputVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system applies heat locally at the liquid-vapor interface within the vaporizing chamber rather than heating the entire bulk liquid. The ferromagnetic heating element is positioned to contact only the liquid anesthetic agent where vaporization occurs, concentrating thermal energy where it is most needed and improving energy efficiency while maintaining vapor output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The inductive heating element operates with periodic on-off cycles controlled by a microprocessor. The system monitors vapor output and adjusts heating duty cycle accordingly, providing heat only when needed to maintain desired vapor concentrations. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient vapor output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If electronic heating components are placed inside the vaporizing chamber, then heating efficiency improves, but the risk of electrical sparking in oxygen-enriched environments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical sparking risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct electrical heating elements with an inductive heating mechanism. The inductive heating element generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the ferromagnetic heating element, which then generates heat through resistive heating. This substitution eliminates the need for direct electrical contacts within the vaporizing chamber, reducing sparking risk while maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a quick response time and maintains high anesthetic agent concentrations at both low and high flow rates without droop, while minimizing the risk of electrical sparking and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an inductive heating element positioned exterior to the vaporizing chamber and housed within a gas-tight barrier, the inductive heating element operated to selectively heat a target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

the inductive heating element operated to selectively heat a target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

heats a ferromagnetic collar or capillary pump to vaporize the anesthetic agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

heats a ferromagnetic collar or capillary pump to vaporize the anesthetic agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11439789B2Systems and methods for an inductively heated anesthetic vaporizer

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for delivering anesthetic agent to a patient. In one embodiment, an anesthetic vaporizer includes a vaporizing chamber configured to hold a liquid anesthetic agent, and an inductive heating element positioned exterior to the vaporizing chamber and housed within a gas-tight barrier, the inductive heating element operated to selectively heat a target.