Optical Interface for Anesthesia Dispensing Device Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anesthesia systems lack effective visual display of anesthetic concentration and filling level at the dispensing device, making it difficult for operators to read parameters, especially in dark environments, and fail to provide direct visual alarms for errors such as low anesthetic levels or incorrect concentration settings.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a contactless optical interface using fiber optic light guides to transmit light from LEDs in the anesthesia apparatus to display means within the anesthetic dispensing device, allowing for clear visualization of anesthetic concentration and filling level, with options for color-coded warnings and blinking lights to indicate errors, eliminating the need for a separate power supply in the dispensing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If display means are integrated into the anesthetic dispensing device, then visibility of anesthetic parameters is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of anesthetic parametersVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing device

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical interface as an intermediary between the anesthesia apparatus and the dispensing device. This interface uses fiber optic light guides to transmit light from LEDs in the anesthesia apparatus to the display means in the dispensing device, enabling visibility without integrating power supplies or complex electronics into the dispensing device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electrical connection systems with an optical system. Instead of using electrical wires and power supplies to operate display means in the dispensing device, the invention uses optical signals transmitted through fiber optic light guides, eliminating the need for electrical power transmission to the detachable dispensing device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If contactless optical interface is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connecting dispensing deviceVSAvoidalignment precision of optical interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses fiber optic light guides as optical copies to transmit light signals. The light from the LEDs is copied and transmitted through the fiber optic medium to the display means, allowing contactless operation while maintaining signal fidelity through the optical copying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If fiber optic light guides are used for light transmission, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of light transmissionVSAvoidcomplexity of optical interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optic light guides serve as an intermediary medium that reliably transmits light signals between the anesthesia apparatus and the dispensing device. This optical intermediary provides reliable signal transmission without requiring electrical connections, improving reliability while keeping the dispensing device itself relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy recognition of anesthetic parameters and immediate identification of errors from a distance, even in poor lighting, with cost-effective and contactless operation, enhancing operational efficiency and safety during anesthesia procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The anesthesia apparatus is provided with at least one fiber optic light guide, into which light is fed by a light source (for example, one or more LEDs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS9555212B2Anesthesia system with detachable anesthetic dispensing device

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

An anesthesia system for providing a breathing gas enriched with anesthetic has an anesthesia apparatus (2) and at least one anesthetic dispensing device (3), which is detachably coupled with the anesthesia apparatus. A fluid connection (7, 8, 9) is provided between the anesthesia apparatus and the dispensing device, which is designed to send anesthetic from the dispensing device into the anesthesia apparatus. At least one optical interface is provided between the anesthesia apparatus and the dispensing device. At least one display device is provided in the dispensing device. The optical interface has at least one light source (10), which is provided in the anesthesia apparatus, and at least one fiber optic light guide (20), which is provided in the anesthetic dispensing device (3). The light fed by the light source (10) into the fiber optic light guide is sent to the display device to directly or indirectly light the display device.