NO Delivery Sensor Calibration Reminders for Accurate Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare teams may fail to perform essential checks on the proper functioning of NO delivery devices, particularly the calibration of NO, NO2, and O2 sensors, which is crucial for accurate NO therapy administration.

Innovation Solution

A NO supply device equipped with a microprocessor-controlled system that automatically prompts healthcare personnel to perform sensor calibration at regular intervals, displaying reminders and allowing for the initiation or cancellation of calibration procedures through a graphical user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If healthcare teams perform manual calibration checks of sensors, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the risk of overlooking calibration tasks increases due to busy care schedules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor calibration accuracyVSAvoidconsistent calibration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements an automated reminder mechanism that provides feedback to healthcare teams when sensor calibration is due or overdue. The microprocessor-controlled device monitors calibration status and triggers visual or audible alerts through the user interface, ensuring that calibration tasks are not overlooked despite busy schedules. This feedback loop maintains both measurement precision and reliable consistent calibration performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the device includes automated reminder functionality, then calibration compliance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration complianceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microprocessor-controlled system performs multiple functions: it monitors sensor calibration status, tracks time intervals since last calibration, generates reminders through the user interface, and potentially stores calibration history. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the device achieves improved calibration compliance without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If calibration reminders are displayed frequently, then calibration tasks are not overlooked, but user distraction and operational interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration task completionVSAvoidcontinuous operation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by displaying calibration reminders at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The microprocessor controls the timing of reminder displays through the user interface, showing alerts only when calibration is due or overdue. This periodic approach ensures reliable calibration task completion while minimizing user distraction and maintaining smooth continuous operation during normal device usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4483931B1Display of maintenance reminder on medical nitric oxide delivery apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 INOSYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4483931B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4483931B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for supplying (1) a gas containing NO, comprising an internal circuit (6) for conveying a flow of NO-containing gas, including valve means (7), microprocessor-controlled control means (8) (9), a touchscreen graphic display (4), and a gas analysis line (111) comprising at least one sensor (112). The control means (8) are configured to command, at a given time frequency, a temporary display on the graphic display (4) of a first virtual selection button (81), the activation of which by a user triggers a calibration procedure for the sensor(s) (112) of the gas analysis line (111).