Optical Breathing Airflow Detection for Nebulizer Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nebulizing devices face challenges in efficiently delivering medicines to the lungs due to the inability to accurately detect and match airflow with lung capacity, leading to wasted medicines and suboptimal treatment effects.
Innovation Solution
A breathing airflow detecting device that utilizes a light switching module and a light blocking element, where the airflow swings the light blocking element to block or pass light, generating a signal to drive or stop the nebulizing device, ensuring efficient medicine delivery based on the patient's breathing frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensing element is used to sense wind pressure and convert it into airflow volume, then airflow detection accuracy is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing element with an optical detection system consisting of a light source, light receiving element, and light blocking element. The airflow drives the light blocking element to swing, modulating the light signal to indicate airflow presence, thereby achieving airflow detection without expensive pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light blocking element as an intermediary between the airflow and the light receiving element. The light blocking element converts airflow motion into optical signal modulation, serving as a mediator that enables indirect but accurate airflow detection at lower cost.
2Productivity
If a fan turbine is used to supply medicines, then medicine delivery is achieved, but device structure becomes complex and difficult to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan turbine with a passive light blocking element that is driven directly by patient airflow. This eliminates the need for active mechanical components, simplifying the device structure while maintaining medicine delivery capability through nebulization triggered by detected breaths.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking element is designed to be passively driven by the patient's own breathing airflow, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex drive mechanisms. The system uses the patient's breath to both trigger and power the detection mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If fixed range airflow is assumed for nebulization, then device operation is simple, but medicine delivery efficiency decreases when patient breathing varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light receiving element detects light modulation caused by airflow-driven swinging of the light blocking element. This feedback signal indicates the presence and characteristics of patient breathing, allowing the device to dynamically adjust medicine delivery timing and duration to match actual patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static fixed-range airflow assumption to a dynamic detection system. The light blocking element swings dynamically with patient breaths, and the system responds in real-time by triggering nebulization only when breathing is detected, adapting to varying breathing patterns while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 device accurately detects breathing airflow to optimize medicine inhalation, preventing waste and ensuring effective treatment by synchronizing medicine delivery with the patient's lung capacity, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a light blocking element arranged in the at least one case, wherein when airflow from the inlet blows the light blocking element, the light blocking element swings in a direction vertical to a direction where the light emitting element emits the light, thereby blocking the light or passing the light to the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing airflow detecting device for a nebulizing device is disclosed. The breathing airflow detecting device includes a case, wherein a light switching module and a light blocking element are arranged in the case. The light blocking element is arranged between optical routes of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When airflow from an inlet blows and swings the light blocking element, the light blocking element blocks light or passes light to the light receiving element. When the light receiving element detects the variation of light, the light receiving element emits a signal from the output port of the light switching module to drive or stop driving a nebulizing device. As a result, when a patient breathes, the nebulizing device is driven such that the volume of the nebulized medicine is accurately inhaled into the patient's lungs.