Nano-Opto-Mechanical Sensor for Low-Flow CO2 Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current capnography systems for monitoring CO2 concentration in respiratory gases are bulky, energy-intensive, and require high gas flow rates, necessitating pumps and being less suitable for intubated and non-intubated patients, especially infants.

Innovation Solution

Nano-Opto-Mechanical (NOM) sensors with a nano-scale void and nano-particles, utilizing multimode interference regions and optical elements to generate interference fringes and detect CO2 concentration without the need for pumps, enabling reduced size, energy consumption, and gas flow rates, allowing for implantable or non-invasive monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional capnography systems are used, then CO2 concentration can be measured, but the devices are bulky and energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 concentration measurementVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical pumping systems with a passive optical measurement system. The NOM sensor uses optical elements (lens, mirror, photodetector) to detect CO2 concentration through infrared absorption, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps and reducing energy consumption significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical gas flow rate to optical absorption intensity. By measuring the absorption of infrared radiation by CO2 molecules rather than relying on pumped gas flow, the system achieves accurate measurements with minimal energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional capnography systems are used, then CO2 concentration can be measured, but pumps are required which increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 concentration measurementVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the pump component from the conventional capnography system. By using a passive optical detection system that relies on natural breath flow and infrared absorption, the complex pumping mechanism is completely eliminated, simplifying the device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical pumping system is replaced with an optical measurement system consisting of infrared light sources, optical detectors, and signal processing electronics, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional capnography systems are used, then CO2 concentration can be measured, but high gas flow rates are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 concentration measurementVSAvoidgas flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the measurement approach from requiring high volumetric gas flow rates to detecting optical absorption at low flow rates. The NOM sensor measures CO2 concentration through infrared absorption, allowing accurate measurements even at the low flow rates naturally produced during breathing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical flow-driven measurement system is replaced with an optical detection system that measures CO2 concentration directly through absorption spectroscopy, independent of gas flow rate, enabling accurate measurements at physiological breathing flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Weight of moving object

If nano-scale NOM sensors are used, then size and weight are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor weightVSAvoidnano-scale fabrication precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses standardized optical component designs and well-established microfabrication techniques to create the NOM sensor. By relying on conventional optical元件 and standard fabrication processes rather than entirely new manufacturing methods, the patent reduces the precision barriers to manufacturing while achieving miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 NOM sensors significantly reduce size and energy consumption, enable low-volume gas sampling, and facilitate both intubated and non-intubated patient monitoring, achieving high sensitivity and reliability with minimal gas flow, suitable for infants and adults.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second light beams may be configured to generate interference fringes affecting the location of the nano-particle within the nano-scale void

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

CO2 absorbs infra-red radiation and the presence of CO2 in the gas leads to a reduction in the amount of light falling on a sensor

Methodology Applied

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

Data Source

PatentUS9612198B2Nano-opto-mechanical sensor

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 ORIDION MEDICAL 1987

AI summary

There are provided Nano-Opto-Mechanical sensors for measuring concentration of a component in a gas flow, methods for their use and system comprising the same.