Microwave Spectroscopy Gas Concentration Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for diagnosing pulmonary oxygen toxicity and other health conditions like heart failure and pneumonia are subjective, require skilled evaluators, and lack objective numerical evaluations, making them difficult to automate and prone to misinterpretation. Additionally, existing RF gas detection systems are limited by high energy usage, specificity to specific frequency regions, and inability to measure gases for health diagnostics in humans.

Innovation Solution

A device using microwave spectroscopy with a pair of antennas to measure gas concentrations non-contactually, employing solid-state partial pressure sensors and thermistors to determine oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide levels, and RF absorption signatures for chemical identification and quantification, enabling portable and cost-effective gas analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional RF gas detection systems are used, then gas concentration measurement is achieved, but high energy usage above human exposure limits occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas concentration measurementVSAvoidRF energy usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of RF detection by using multiple frequency regions and adjusting RF power levels to operate within safe human exposure limits while maintaining measurement capability. The system adapts RF parameters to balance measurement precision with safety constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional RF detection with multiple antennas is used, then gas detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single antenna perform multiple functions by sequentially using it for both transmission and reception across different frequency regions. This eliminates the need for separate transmit and receive antennas, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to detect multiple gas concentrations through multi-frequency analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional diagnostic methods are used, then clinical evaluation is performed, but objective numerical evaluation is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclinical evaluationVSAvoidobjective numerical data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective clinical evaluation with an automated electromagnetic detection system that provides objective numerical measurements of gas concentrations. The RF-based detection system substitutes manual clinical assessment with instrumented measurement, eliminating subjectivity and providing quantifiable diagnostic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Temperature

If conventional RF sensors with thermistors are used, then temperature measurement is achieved, but calibration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurementVSAvoidcalibration requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-calibration by using the same antenna and RF circuitry for both gas concentration detection and temperature measurement. The system automatically references known standards and performs self-calibration routines, eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 objective, numerical evaluations of gas concentrations, is adaptable for health diagnostics, and operates within safe human exposure limits, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for skilled personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a receive antenna configured to capture an electromagnetic energy difference between a transmitted electromagnetic energy emission spectrum and an electromagnetic energy emission spectrum being absorbed or reflected by gaseous molecules in the gas mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic energy emission spectrum being absorbed or reflected by gaseous molecules in the gas mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection (EM radiation): Reflection

Implementation Method 3

at least one microwave generator tuned to responsive frequencies of the gas, the at least one microwave generator configured to couple the microwave radiation to the transmit antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave Radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11229379B2Apparatus and method to identify and measure gas concentrations

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 NOKOMIS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus is provided for the analysis of gaseous compounds, especially for determining the concentration of a gas or gases in a gas mixture by microwave spectroscopy. Microwave radiation is generated at one or more frequencies the gas is most responsive to, transmitted by antenna, passed through the gas under test, received by antenna, and the absorption and/or reflection of the microwave radiation is measured by means such as digitization and analysis using the FFT spectrum versus energy response generated, the response subsequently used to calculate the gas concentration.