Handheld Oximeter Sheath Averaging for Reuse and Clean Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oximeters face challenges in improving reuse, reducing contamination during use, enhancing measurement accuracy, and lowering cost while maintaining compact size and power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact, handheld oximeter with a sealed sheath that averages multiple oximetry readings and displays both real-time and average measurements, using an accelerometer to detect user gestures for averaging and resetting, and integrating wireless or wired connectivity for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oximeters are made reusable to lower cost, then cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oximeter is divided into two distinct parts: a reusable main body unit and a disposable sterile sheath. The sheath can be detached and replaced, allowing the expensive main unit to be reused while the disposable sheath prevents contamination. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the reusable components from the single-use protective components.
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable sterile sheath is introduced as a low-cost, single-use component that protects the reusable oximeter during each measurement session. The sheath is discarded after one use, eliminating contamination risk while allowing the expensive main unit to be reused multiple times, thus resolving the contradiction between reusability and contamination prevention.
2Measurement precision
If multiple oximetry readings are averaged to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oximeter automatically takes multiple readings at periodic intervals and computes their average. Instead of requiring the user to manually take multiple measurements, the device performs periodic automated measurements and presents the averaged result, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing the time burden on the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The oximeter performs the averaging function automatically without requiring user intervention. The device itself collects multiple readings, computes the average, and displays the result, eliminating the need for users to manually repeat measurements and calculate averages, thus improving precision without proportionally increasing measurement time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed sheath is used to prevent contamination, then contamination protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin, flexible sealed sheath is used to protect the oximeter probe. The sheath is made of a simple plastic material that can be easily molded and disposed of, providing effective contamination protection without adding significant structural complexity. The simplicity of the sheath design allows it to be integrated into the existing oximeter system with minimal modification.
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
Enables accurate, reusable oximetry measurements with reduced contamination and power consumption, facilitating improved surgical outcomes by providing real-time and average oximetry data for tissue monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
Light absorption differs significantly for oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobins at certain wavelengths of light. Tissue oximeters can measure oxygen levels in human tissue by exploiting these light-absorption differences.
Implementation Method 2
using an accelerometer to detect user gestures for averaging and resetting
Data Source
AI summary
An oximetry device sealed in a sheath directs a user to allow the oximetry device to make oximetry readings at a number of different tissue locations of a patient and average two or more of the oximetry readings by directing the lifts and placements of the oximetry device and sheath to and from the different tissue locations and detecting the lift and placements. The averages are generated and displayed on a display of the device for the oximetry readings if the lifts are made while use directions for the lifts are displayed on a display of the oximetry device. The averages are not generated if the lifts are not made while the user directions for the lifts are not displayed. The averages are simultaneously displayed with the oximetry readings which are instantaneous measurement for patient tissue.