Integrated Bubble and Occlusion Detector for Medical Fluid Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detectors for fluid flow in medical devices are bulky and inefficient, as they require separate sensors for detecting bubbles and occlusions, making it difficult to develop compact, easily transportable devices that can accurately monitor fluid flow and bubble presence.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sensor system that combines an ultrasonic transmitter, ultrasonic receiver, and a pressure sensor within a compact housing, allowing for the detection of both bubbles and occlusions in a fluid flow without the need for additional space, utilizing a thin-film strain gauge sensor to measure pressure changes caused by occlusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors are used to detect bubbles and occlusions, then detection accuracy is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an ultrasonic sensor and a pressure sensor into a single integrated detector housing. The ultrasonic sensor detects bubbles in fluid flow while the pressure sensor detects occlusions through pressure changes in the tube wall. This merging of multiple sensing functions into one device reduces overall device size and complexity while maintaining the ability to detect both bubble and occlusion conditions accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated detector is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously. The same housing and sensor assembly detect both bubble presence (via ultrasonic waves) and occlusion events (via pressure changes), making the device universal for monitoring different fluid flow conditions without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function.
2Measurement precision
If optical signal emitters and receivers are placed on either side of the tube, then occlusion detection is enabled, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the occlusion detection function into the same housing as the bubble detection function. Instead of placing optical components on either side of the tube, the pressure sensor is integrated into the ultrasonic sensor housing, allowing both detection functions to share the same spatial footprint and reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube wall itself serves as the intermediary medium for pressure transmission. The pressure sensor detects occlusions by measuring pressure changes transmitted through the tube wall, eliminating the need for optical emitters and receivers to be positioned on either side of the tube. This intermediary approach enables compact integration while maintaining detection capability.
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 enables the creation of compact, reliable devices that can accurately detect both bubbles and occlusions in fluid flow, improving the delivery of medical services by reducing device size and cost while maintaining high accuracy across various tube materials.
Implementation Method 1
A housing has a channel therein formed by an ultrasonic transmitter and an opposing ultrasonic receiver used for detecting discontinuities or bubbles in a fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
any changes in fluid flow or occlusion will result in an increase in pressure applied to the pressure sensor permitting detection
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated fluid sensor combining bubble and occlusion detection. A housing having a channel with three sides holds a tube containing a fluid flow. An ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver retain the tube on two opposing sides. Placed between the two opposing sides is a third side containing a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor contacting the surface of the tube detects changes of pressure within the tube due to changes in fluid flow so as to detect occlusions. The restraining of the tube between the opposing ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver confine the tube so that a resulting increase in pressure is detected by the pressure sensor. A reduction in the size of devices for detecting fluid flow or bubbles is made possible.