Optical Feeding Tube Placement Confirmation Across Patient Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for confirming the position of medical tubes, such as nasal tubes, are limited by the need for gastric juice secretion or complex air pressure control, leading to precision issues and increased costs, and are not adaptable to varying patient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A medical tube position confirmation system using a light guide and light source with controlled intensity to confirm the position of a medical tube by guiding light through the tube and detecting its presence in the stomach using a camera and user terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detection line with insulated wires is used to detect gastric juice contact, then the position of the medical tube can be confirmed, but the method is limited to patients who secrete gastric juice in appropriate locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical resistance detection method with an optical detection method using light guides. Light is transmitted through the medical tube and detected externally, eliminating the need for electrical sensors inside the tube and gastric juice contact, thereby expanding applicability to all patients regardless of gastric juice secretion patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary substance to transmit position information from inside the medical tube to the external detector. This intermediary enables non-contact detection that works universally across different patient conditions without requiring direct contact with gastric juice or other patient-specific secretions.
2Measurement precision
If air pressure variation method is used to confirm tube position, then the position can be determined by detecting stomach pressure changes, but a complicated configuration is required leading to increased manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical air pressure control system with a simple optical system consisting of a light source and light guide. This substitution eliminates the need for pressure sensors, control mechanisms, and complex electronics, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tube itself serves as the light transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate detection devices. The tube structure is utilized to guide light from the external source through its length, allowing the tube to perform both its feeding function and position detection function, thereby simplifying the overall system and reducing costs.
3Measurement precision
If air pressure control method is used, then tube position can be confirmed, but it requires adapting to different conditions of the living body of each patient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system using light guides provides a universal solution that works across all patient conditions without requiring adjustment or adaptation. The light transmission method is not affected by variations in gastric juice secretion, body anatomy, or physiological conditions, providing consistent performance universally.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the air pressure-based mechanical system with an optical system, the patent eliminates the need for complex control algorithms and adaptation mechanisms required to handle different patient conditions. The optical method provides direct, condition-independent detection.
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
Facilitates easy and precise confirmation of the medical tube position without requiring gastric juice secretion or complex air pressure control, reducing manufacturing costs and improving adaptability to different patient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide 20 that is configured to guide light entering through an incident end portion 20I so that the light exits through an exit end portion 20E
Implementation Method 2
a light source 10 that is optically connected to the incident end portion 20I of the light guide 20 and emits light containing wavelengths that pass through a living body
Data Source
AI summary
A medical tube position confirmation system for confirming the position of a medical tube that is used to supply nutrients to the interior of a body by means of tube feeding while an end portion thereof is inserted into (placed in) the stomach includes a light guide that is configured to guide light entering through an incident end portion so that the light exits through an exit end portion, and is configured to be insertable into the medical tube so that the exit end portion is disposed in the interior of the stomach, a light source that is optically connected to the incident end portion of the light guide and emits light containing wavelengths that pass through a living body, and a control unit that controls intensity of light emitted by the light source, wherein the control unit controls the intensity of light emitted by the light source within an intensity range that equals or exceeds a first intensity specific to a patient and is lower than a second intensity specific to the patient.