Optical Sensor for Medical Fluid Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for detecting fluid leakages, particularly in haemodialysis and phleboclysis treatments, are costly and prone to signal attenuation due to the use of optical fibers, which are susceptible to deformations and contamination, leading to unreliable detection.
Innovation Solution
A medical detection device featuring a support with an integrated optical sensor where the emitter and receiver are housed in a distinct sensor body, using low-cost opto-electronic components like LEDs and phototransistors, and a support with a transparent wall for detection, allowing for precise positioning and protection from contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fibers are used for fluid leakage detection, then detection capability is provided, but signal attenuation occurs and the system becomes costly and unreliable due to deformations and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical detection function from the traditional optical fiber system and implements it using discrete opto-electronic components (emitter and receiver) positioned close to the detection point. This eliminates the need for long optical fiber transmissions, thereby removing the source of signal attenuation while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate detection chamber that contains the fluid sample and positions it between the emitter and receiver. This intermediary structure allows optical detection without requiring direct contact between the optical components and the fluid, preventing contamination while enabling reliable detection.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are used for fluid leakage detection, then detection capability is provided, but the system becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive opto-electronic components (LED emitter and phototransistor receiver) that can be mass-produced at low cost, replacing expensive optical fibers. These components are positioned in a compact arrangement that simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is segmented into discrete, independently manufacturable components: an emitter, a receiver, and a detection chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately using cost-effective processes, then assembled into a functional unit.
3Reliability
If optical fibers are used for fluid leakage detection, then detection is enabled, but the system is prone to contamination and deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate detection chamber that contains the fluid sample and positions it between the emitter and receiver. This intermediary structure allows optical detection without requiring direct contact between the optical components and the fluid, preventing contamination while enabling reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the emitter, receiver, and detection chamber into a single integrated sensor body that is mounted on the support. This consolidation protects the optical components from external deformations and environmental contamination while maintaining detection functionality.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and immune-to-contamination detection system that effectively detects fluid leakages with reduced signal interference, ensuring timely alarm activation and improved device durability.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a leakage of fluid following upon presence of leakage fluid on at least part of the detection surface
Implementation Method 2
variation of an optical characteristic of the aforesaid detection surface, induced by the presence of leakage fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for detecting a leakage of fluid on a subject includes a support, configured for being secured on the subject, and an optical sensor on the support. The support defines, in a region between the optical sensor and a lower face thereof, a detection surface that can be reached by leakage fluid. The optical sensor is arranged for detecting a leakage of fluid. The optical sensor has a sensor body with an emitter and a receiver of electromagnetic radiation. The support and the sensor body have mutual-coupling means, for retaining the sensor body on the support in such a way that a presence of leakage fluid can be detected via the optical sensor.