Optical Gas Sensor Thermal Insulation for Transcutaneous Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive transcutaneous CO2 monitoring technologies face challenges due to temperature gradients and osmotic sensitivity, leading to inaccurate gas concentration measurements and reduced shelf-life and response time, especially when applied in transcutaneous sensing where thermal gradients and fluid pumping occur.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor unit incorporates thermal insulation and heat conducting means to minimize temperature gradients, using a sensing layer and gas-permeable layer with a gas-permeable membrane, and a heat conducting element to maintain skin perfusion while preventing heat transfer to the sensor, thereby stabilizing luminescence and improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal insulation is applied to the sensor means, then temperature gradients are minimized and measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is divided into distinct functional layers: a sensor means (sensing layer + gas-permeable layer) and separate first thermal insulation means. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the thermal insulation means can be designed specifically for thermal management without interfering with the sensing function, thereby reducing temperature gradients while maintaining measurement accuracy without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first thermal insulation means acts as an intermediary layer between the sensor means and the external environment. This intermediary structure prevents direct thermal contact that would cause temperature gradients, while its modular design allows it to be integrated into the sensor unit without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If heating is applied to increase skin perfusion and gas-permeability, then gas concentration measurement reliability is improved, but temperature gradients in the sensor increase causing signal drift
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted as a separate first heat conducting means that is thermally isolated from the sensor means by the first thermal insulation means. This allows heating to be applied to the skin for improved perfusion and gas-permeability while the thermal insulation prevents heat from reaching the sensor, eliminating temperature-induced signal drift while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into independent thermal zones: a heating zone (first heat conducting means) for skin perfusion enhancement and a sensing zone (sensor means) protected by thermal insulation. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of reliable gas concentration measurement through heating while preventing temperature gradients in the sensor that would cause signal drift
3Ease of operation
If transcutaneous monitoring is used for home use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temperature gradients and osmotic sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor means is designed to be self-sufficient in measuring gas concentration through its integrated sensing layer and gas-permeable layer, requiring no external calibration or complex operation. The first thermal insulation means automatically maintains stable temperature conditions, eliminating the need for user intervention to compensate for temperature effects, thereby enabling accurate home monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical temperature control systems with a passive thermal insulation approach. The first thermal insulation means provides automatic temperature stabilization without moving parts or active control, making the device suitable for home use while maintaining measurement precision despite the simplicity of 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 approach enhances the reliability and accuracy of gas concentration measurements by eliminating gradient-dependent signal drift and temperature effects, allowing for precise monitoring of CO2 levels without the need for trained personnel, suitable for home use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gas-permeable layer adjacent to one side of the at least one sensing layer and adapted to pass gas, which concentration is to be measured, through the gas-permeable layer towards the at least one sensing layer
Implementation Method 2
first thermal insulation means at least partially surrounding said sensor means
Implementation Method 3
heat conducting means to minimize temperature gradients, using a sensing layer and gas-permeable layer with a gas-permeable membrane, and a heat conducting element to maintain skin perfusion while preventing heat transfer to the sensor
Implementation Method 4
stabilizing luminescence and improving measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical sensor unit (10) for measuring gas concentration, comprising: sensor means (12, 13) and first thermal insulation means (14, 16) at least partially surrounding said sensor means (12, 13). The sensor means (12,13) includes at least one sensing layer (12) adapted to be irradiated with a predetermined radiation (100), and at least one gas-permeable layer (13) adjacent to one side of the at least one sensing layer (12) and adapted to pass gas, which concentration is to measured, through the gas-permeable layer (13) towards the at least one sensing layer (12). The optical sensor unit (10) is adapted to measure an optical response of the at least one sensing layer (12), which optical response depends on the gas concentration.