Optical Nebulizer Concentration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nebulizers lack an effective method to detect the concentration of nebulized medication, which can lead to insufficient medication delivery and potential oxygen toxicity from excessive oxygen inhalation.
Innovation Solution
A medication concentration detecting device that includes a medicine container, a three-way pipe, a light emitting component, a first light receiver, and a processor, which emits a light beam into the nebulizer passageway, receives scattered light, and calculates a luminous flux reference value to determine if the medication concentration is insufficient, triggering a warning and notification system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no concentration detection method is implemented, then the device structure remains simple, but medication delivery reliability deteriorates due to insufficient medication concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/conventional detection methods with an optical detection system. A light source emits light through the nebulized medication, and a light receiver detects the transmitted light intensity. This optical method enables concentration detection without complex mechanical structures, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to detect medication concentration. Instead of directly measuring medication properties, the system uses light transmission through the medication aerosol as a mediator. The light intensity attenuation correlates with medication concentration, enabling indirect but reliable detection.
2Measurement precision
If light emission and reception components are added to detect medication concentration, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the main nebulizer body by using separate, simple optical components. The light source and light receiver are positioned to detect light transmission through the medication, isolating the measurement function from the medication delivery function. This extraction enables precise measurement without integrating complex detection systems into the core device.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If concentration detection is implemented, then safety against oxygen toxicity improves, but energy consumption increases due to continuous light emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic light emission rather than continuous emission. The light source activates during specific detection cycles to measure medication concentration, then remains inactive. This periodic operation enables continuous monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous light emission.
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 low medication concentrations, preventing insufficient medication delivery and oxygen toxicity by alerting users and healthcare workers, ensuring precise nebulized medication levels and optimizing oxygen usage.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting component, a first light receiver and a processor. The light emitting component is disposed on the three-way pipe and configured for emitting a light beam toward the passageway
Implementation Method 2
The first light receiver is disposed on the three-way pipe and configured for receiving the light beam and outputting a luminous flux signal
Data Source
AI summary
A medication concentration detecting device includes a medicine container, a three-way pipe, a light emitting member, a first light receiver and a processor. The medicine container has a chamber configured for accommodating nebulized medicine. The three-way pipe has a passageway connected to the chamber for the nebulized medicine to flow along the passageway. The light emitting member is disposed on the three-way pipe and configured for emitting a light beam toward the passageway. The first light receiver is disposed on the three-way pipe and configured for receiving the light beam and outputting a luminous flux signal. The processor is connected to the first light receiver and configured for calculating a luminous flux reference value according to the luminous flux signal. The luminous flux reference value is used for determining whether outputs a low nebulized medicine concentration warning.