Integrated Cannula Merging Temperature and Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory monitoring devices for sleep studies are cumbersome and uncomfortable for patients due to the need for multiple sensors to detect nasal and oral breathing patterns, including temperature and pressure, which are difficult to position correctly and provide unreliable readings, especially at low breathing rates.
Innovation Solution
An integrated thermal and pressure device with a manifold, two parallel nasal cannulas, and a flexible tube connecting to a pressure transducer, along with a reusable thermal sensor that can detect nasal and oral airflow temperatures, providing a more comfortable and reliable monitoring solution by integrating sensors into a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate sensors are used to monitor temperature and pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate temperature sensors and pressure transducer into a single integrated cannula assembly. The cannula integrates a first temperature sensor for nasal airflow, a second temperature sensor for oral airflow, and a pressure transducer, all within one device that connects to a single port on the monitoring system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through integrated sensor design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cannula serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors nasal temperature, oral temperature, and nasal pressure through a single device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors while providing comprehensive breathing pattern monitoring, thus reducing overall device complexity without compromising measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are positioned at critical locations, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult positioning
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple sensors into a single cannula assembly with predetermined positioning, the system eliminates the need for separate placement of multiple independent sensors. The integrated design ensures correct positioning of temperature and pressure sensors relative to each other and to the patient's anatomy, making insertion simpler while maintaining measurement precision
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for comprehensive monitoring, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing functions into a single cannula that is inserted once into the patient's nasal passage. This eliminates the need for multiple separate sensor insertions and reduces the number of components the patient must tolerate, thereby improving comfort while maintaining reliable monitoring through integrated temperature and pressure sensors
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 device allows for accurate detection of breathing patterns, including nasal and oral airflow temperatures and pressures, enhancing patient comfort and technologist ease of use while reducing the need for multiple sensors, thus improving the reliability of sleep study diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor for detecting temperature changes in the nasal airflow
Implementation Method 2
a pressure transducer for detecting pressure changes in the nasal passage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an integrated thermal and pressure device and method for detecting breathing patterns. The device has a manifold, two parallel nasal cannulas stemming from the manifold, and at least one flexible tube. The flexible tube stems from the manifold and provides an airtight connection with the manifold and a pressure transducer apparatus. The device also includes at least a first temperature sensor for detecting temperatures of air flowing from one cannula to the other cannula. The device can include a second temperature sensor for sensing oral air flow temperatures.