Nitric Oxide Sensor Carbon Monoxide Scavenger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nitric oxide sensors in polymeric housings suffer from sensitivity loss due to carbon monoxide emission from construction materials, leading to reduced shelf life and interference in gas detection, affecting both asthma monitoring devices and other nitric oxide sensing applications.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a carbon monoxide scavenger within the device or its packaging, positioned to allow gas diffusion access, which either binds or oxidizes carbon monoxide to prevent interference with the nitric oxide sensor, maintaining sensor sensitivity over extended periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polymeric housing materials are used for device construction, then manufacturing ease and cost are improved, but carbon monoxide emission occurs causing sensitivity loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcarbon monoxide emission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A carbon monoxide scavenger is introduced as an intermediary substance between the polymeric housing material and the nitric oxide sensor. The scavenger captures carbon monoxide molecules emitted from the housing, preventing them from reaching and interfering with the sensor. This mediator approach allows the use of easy-to-manufacture polymeric materials while eliminating their harmful emissions through a chemical interception mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high-sensitivity sensors are used to detect nitric oxide at parts-per-billion levels, then detection precision is improved, but vulnerability to carbon monoxide interferents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidinterference from carbon monoxide

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The high sensitivity of the sensor, which makes it vulnerable to carbon monoxide interference, is converted into a benefit by using the same sensitive binding material to detect and respond to carbon monoxide presence. The scavenger system leverages the sensor's high affinity binding capability to capture carbon monoxide, transforming the sensor's vulnerability into a protective mechanism that actively removes the interferent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If carbon monoxide scavenger is placed close to the sensor, then carbon monoxide removal efficiency is improved, but nitric oxide binding sites are blocked reducing detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon monoxide removal efficiencyVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device interior is divided into functional zones with different quality characteristics. The carbon monoxide scavenger is positioned in regions where carbon monoxide concentration is highest (near the polymeric housing), while the sensor is positioned in regions optimized for nitric oxide detection. This spatial differentiation of functional zones allows the scavenger to effectively remove carbon monoxide without interfering with the sensor's ability to accurately detect nitric oxide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 carbon monoxide scavenger effectively maintains sensor sensitivity by reducing carbon monoxide levels, extending the shelf life of nitric oxide detection devices to months or years, minimizing interference and ensuring reliable analyte detection.

Implementation Method 1

The prior art recognizes the existence of transition metal oxides that can catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide... carbon monoxide scavenger is placed in the device... which either binds or oxidizes carbon monoxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2392912B1Nitric oxide detector with reduced carbon monoxide interference

Publication Date: 2016.05.11 AEROCRINE AB

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AI summary

Highly sensitive devices for detecting nitric oxide and/or other gaseous analytes in gaseous samples are improved by the incorporation of a carbon monoxide scavenger in the interior of the device or in the device packaging. The release of carbon monoxide within the housing of the device by the plastic used in the construction of the housing or by anything within the device that releases carbon monoxide causes a loss in sensitivity due to competition between the carbon monoxide and the nitric oxide for the binding sites on the device sensor. The scavenger corrects this by either catalyzing the oxidation of carbon monoxide to the less competitive carbon dioxide or immobilizing the carbon monoxide by affinity-type or covalent binding. Analogous effects are achieved for analytes other than nitric oxide but that likewise encounter interference from carbon monoxide in binding to sensors.