Neonatal Pulse Oximeter Probe With Compressible Sponge Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulse oximeter probes can cause skin damage when attached to premature or neonatal infants due to direct contact with the hard supporting member, especially since their skin is weak.
Innovation Solution
A probe design featuring an attachment band with a compressible sponge member that covers the end portions, preventing direct contact with the skin, and using a surface fastener system to secure the probe without applying excessive force, ensuring the attachment band does not press the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard supporting member is used to provide structural strength for the probe, then the probe can maintain its shape and provide stable attachment, but the hard supporting member may directly contact and damage the weak skin of premature or neonatal infants
Solution Approach 1:
A soft cushioning member is introduced as an intermediary between the hard supporting member and the infant's skin. This cushioning member absorbs the contact pressure, allowing the hard supporting member to maintain structural strength while preventing direct contact with the skin, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and skin damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe incorporates a flexible, soft cushioning layer that conforms to the infant's skin surface. This flexible layer acts as a protective barrier that maintains the structural integrity of the hard supporting member while providing a gentle interface with the skin, eliminating the harmful direct contact.
2Strength
If the supporting member is made wider to ensure secure attachment, then the attachment strength increases, but the end portions may still contact and press the skin, increasing the risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The soft cushioning member extends beyond the ends of the supporting member to create a protective zone. This intermediary element ensures that even when the supporting member is made wide for secure attachment, the skin-contacting portions are cushioned, preventing pressure damage while maintaining attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is designed to extend in the longitudinal dimension beyond the ends of the supporting member. This dimensional extension creates an additional protective layer that covers the potentially harmful end portions, allowing the supporting member to maintain width for attachment strength without directly contacting the skin.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive bonding is used to attach the probe, then the attachment is secure and simple, but the adhesive may cause skin irritation or damage on sensitive infant skin
Solution Approach 1:
The soft cushioning member serves as a protective intermediary between the adhesive bonding surface and the infant's skin. This cushioning layer distributes the adhesive bonding forces over a larger area and prevents direct adhesive contact with the skin, reducing irritation risk while maintaining secure attachment through the cushioning member's structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transitions from relying solely on adhesive bonding to a mechanical attachment system using the soft cushioning member in conjunction with the supporting member structure. This mechanical system provides secure attachment without requiring direct adhesive contact with the skin, thereby eliminating skin irritation while maintaining ease of operation.
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 probe effectively attaches to the skin without causing damage, maintaining secure fixation even with repeated use, and reduces the risk of skin pressure from the attachment band's contraction force, ensuring accurate oxygen saturation measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible member which is attached to the first surface of the attachment band, the compressible member which is in contact with the living tissue when the attachment band is attached to the living tissue
Implementation Method 2
a part of the first surface in which one of a hook portion and a loop portion of a surface fastener is provided, a part of the second surface in which the other of the hook portion and the loop portion of the surface fastener is provided
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A probe (10; 11) includes: light emitting (210) and receiving (220) sections; an attachment band (110; 111) including a first surface facing the living tissue and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a part of the first surface in which one of a hook portion (116) and a loop portion (115) is provided, a part of the second surface in which the other is provided, the attachment band (110; 111) to be wrapped around the living tissue to engage the hook (116) and loop (115) portions with each other; and a compressible member (150) attached to the first surface, being in contact with the living tissue when the attachment band (110; 111) is attached to the living tissue, the compressible member (150) which is larger in width than the attachment band (110; 111) and ends of which extend beyond ends of the attachment band (110; 111).