Non-contact Pressure Measuring Device for Extracorporeal Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure measuring devices for extracorporeal circulation systems face challenges in accurately measuring intra-circuit pressure without physical contact, which can lead to erroneous readings and potential thrombus formation, especially during cardiac surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A pressure measuring device that uses polarizing means and an image acquisition unit to capture deformation of a pressure receiver within the tube, converting this image information into pressure data without direct contact, utilizing a control unit to store reference image information for accurate pressure calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor with liquid chamber and flow path is used to measure intra-circuit pressure, then pressure measurement capability is achieved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to required internal filling and bifurcated flow path formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure measurement function from a complex liquid-filled chamber system and implements it directly on the tube wall through a pressure receiver that detects tube deformation. This eliminates the need for separate liquid chambers, flow paths, and filling operations, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining pressure measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube wall itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the conduit for blood flow and the structural element that deforms to indicate pressure. By making the pressure receiver interact directly with the tube wall deformation, the system eliminates the need for separate measurement components, achieving multi-functionality and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a load-sensing element is brought into contact with the tube to measure repulsive force, then pressure measurement is achieved, but the reliability decreases due to potential malfunction and erroneous measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the tube wall deformation as an intermediary between the pressure measurement goal and the actual measurement mechanism. Instead of directly measuring force through contact, the system measures the optical deformation of the tube wall, which serves as a reliable intermediate indicator of internal pressure, thereby eliminating direct mechanical contact and its associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical load-sensing element contact system with an optical measurement system. By using image acquisition to detect tube wall deformation and converting this visual information into pressure data, the system eliminates mechanical contact between the sensing element and the tube, thereby preventing malfunction and erroneous measurements associated with mechanical wear and misalignment.
3Ease of operation
If the image acquisition unit captures deformation through the tube wall, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but the measurement precision may be affected by image quality and deformation detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical force to optical image characteristics. By capturing image data of tube wall deformation and converting these visual parameters into pressure information, the system achieves non-contact measurement while maintaining precision through systematic parameter transformation and calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit processes image information, compares it with reference data, and converts it into accurate pressure readings. This feedback loop ensures that image quality variations and deformation detection uncertainties are compensated for, maintaining measurement precision while enabling ease of non-contact 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
This solution prevents erroneous pressure measurements and reduces the risk of thrombus formation by non-invasively measuring pressure, allowing for more accurate and reliable intra-circuit pressure monitoring during extracorporeal circulation.
Implementation Method 1
polarizing means disposed in the main body portion so that light oscillating in a specific direction is transmitted therethrough
Implementation Method 2
image information on a pressure receiver that is deformed in response to received pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure measuring device 30 installs on a tube 11 for transferring a medium BL so as to measure a pressure of the medium BL inside the tube 11. The pressure measuring device 30 includes a main body portion 31 mountable to the tube 11, polarizing means 34 disposed in the main body portion 31 so that light oscillating in a specific direction is transmitted therethrough, an image acquisition unit 32 disposed in the main body portion 31 so that image information on a pressure receiver that is deformed in response to the received pressure is acquired through the polarizing means 34, and a control unit 100 that converts the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 32 into pressure information about the pressure.