Handheld Oximeter Sheath Latch Detection for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oximeters face challenges in improving reuse, reducing contamination during use, enhancing measurement accuracy, and ensuring rapid measurements under non-ideal conditions, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A compact, handheld oximeter housed in a sheath that shields the device from contaminants and allows for reuse, featuring a detachable battery design and wireless communication for validation, along with integrated windows for light transmission and reception, enabling self-contained operation and robust calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If oximeters are made reusable to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oximeter system is divided into two segments: a reusable system unit (containing electronics, processor, display) and a disposable probe assembly (containing optical components that contact tissue). This segmentation allows the expensive electronic components to be reused while the contaminated probe components are discarded, resolving the contradiction between reuse and contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier film or protective sheath acts as an intermediary between the reusable system unit and the contaminated probe/tissue interface. This intermediary protects the reusable components from contamination while allowing optical signals to pass through, enabling reuse without direct contact with contaminants.
2Productivity
If oximeters are designed for rapid measurements under non-ideal conditions, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The oximeter employs periodic pulsing of light sources at multiple wavelengths and periodic sampling of returned light signals. This periodic action enables rapid sequential measurements at different wavelengths, achieving fast measurements while maintaining accuracy through multiple data points collected over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor analyzes returned light signals in real-time, adjusts measurement parameters based on tissue characteristics detected, and validates measurements against expected ranges. This feedback loop ensures rapid measurements maintain accuracy even under non-ideal conditions by adapting to varying tissue properties.
3Measurement precision
If oximeters use multiple light wavelengths for accurate measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources emitting at different wavelengths are merged into a single probe assembly, with all sources and detectors integrated in close proximity. This merging allows simultaneous or sequential multi-wavelength measurements without requiring separate devices for each wavelength, maintaining accuracy while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a universal set of light sources and detectors that can measure multiple parameters (oxygen saturation, tissue perfusion, blood flow) across different wavelengths. This multi-functionality allows a single device configuration to perform accurate measurements at multiple wavelengths without requiring separate specialized components for each measurement type.
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 enables reusable oximeters to maintain hygiene and accuracy by preventing contamination, facilitating rapid and reliable oxygen saturation measurements in various medical and surgical applications, including tissue flaps with no pulse or weak perfusion.
Implementation Method 1
Tissue oximeters can measure oxygen levels in human tissue by exploiting these light-absorption differences
Implementation Method 2
a second window can be proximate to a probe face of a handheld oximeter so that the oximeter can emit light into tissue and collect the light after reflection from the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An oximetry device includes an inductive detector. When the oximetry device is sealed in a sheath and a latch of the sheath is in a latched position, the inductive detector inductively detects that latch. The oximeter device uses first information received from the detector for the latch being in the latched position to allow the device to take oximetry measurements. The oximeter device uses second information received from the detector for the latch not being in the latched position to allow the device to display a message on a display of the device that the sheath is not sealed. The displayed message indicates to a user that the sheath lid needs to be closed. The closed lid prevents contaminants in the sheath from reaching patient tissue during use of the device and sheath.