Optical Interferometer Airway Adapter for Respiratory Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential pressure flow meters for respiratory gas flow measurement in anesthesia and intensive care environments face limitations in accuracy and reliability due to non-linear responses and sensitivity to design-specific flow restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An airway adapter with a housing containing a flow path, pressure ports, and a pressure transducer using an optical interferometer to create and measure pressure differentials, ensuring a more accurate and reliable measurement of respiratory gas flow by generating signals reflective of the pressure differential across the flow restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional differential pressure flow meters use traditional pressure transducers, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to non-linear responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pressure transducers with an optical interferometric transducer. The optical system uses interference patterns to measure pressure differentials, eliminating the non-linear response characteristics of mechanical transducers and providing superior measurement linearity and precision for flow rate determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical displacement to optical path difference. By measuring the interference pattern shifts caused by pressure-induced diaphragm movement, the system achieves higher sensitivity and linear response characteristics compared to traditional mechanical transduction
2Reliability
If conventional flow meters use simple pressure transducers, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to sensitivity to design-specific flow restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical interferometric transducer provides a non-contact measurement method that is not sensitive to the mechanical properties of flow restrictions. The optical system measures pressure differentials without being affected by the specific design characteristics of the flow restriction elements, thereby improving measurement reliability across different applications
3Measurement precision
If conventional pressure transducers are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for accurate respiratory flow measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical interference phenomena to measure pressure differentials, transforming the measurement from direct mechanical readout to optical path difference detection. This parameter change enables high-precision measurement of small pressure differentials in respiratory flows, overcoming the limitations of conventional transducers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical interferometric system as an intermediary between the pressure field and the measurement device. The interferometer acts as a mediator that converts pressure-induced diaphragm movements into measurable optical interference patterns, providing enhanced measurement precision
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of respiratory gas flow measurement by providing a linear response to flow changes, improving cardiopulmonary function assessment and breathing circuit integrity monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure transducer comprises an optical interferometer
Implementation Method 2
coating a substrate with a first layer of a first material, the first layer being at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective for electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
An airway adapter that comprises a housing and a pressure transducer. The housing comprises a flow path having a first end and a second end, a first pressure port that communicates with the flow path, and a second pressure port that communicates with the flow path. The first pressure port is spaced apart from the second pressure port. The flow restriction is disposed in the flow path between the first and second pressure ports that creates a pressure differential therebetween. The pressure transducer generates a signal that reflects the differential pressure created by the flow restriction between the first and second pressure ports, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical interferometer.