Oximeter Sheath Seal Verification Using Inductive Latch Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oximeters face challenges in maintaining hygiene and accuracy during reuse, as they can become contaminated, leading to increased costs and reduced effectiveness due to contamination issues.

Innovation Solution

A compact, handheld oximeter housed in a sheath that shields the device from contaminants and communicates status information, allowing for reuse while ensuring sterility through a detachable battery design and wireless communication, and includes windows for light transmission and reception, enabling self-contained operation without external connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the oximeter is reused to reduce costs, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oximeter system is divided into two segments: a reusable oximeter unit and a disposable sheath. The sheath is segmented to include a sealable chamber that completely encloses the oximeter during use, preventing contamination while allowing the oximeter to be reused after the sheath is discarded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A disposable sheath is introduced as a low-cost, single-use component that protects the expensive oximeter. The sheath is designed to be discarded after one use, eliminating the need to sterilize the oximeter itself and enabling safe reuse of the main device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the oximeter is enclosed in a sheath to prevent contamination, then contamination protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled enclosure that completely seals the oximeter. This simple shell structure provides effective contamination protection without adding significant complexity, as it relies on basic sealing mechanisms rather than complex protective systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath acts as an intermediary barrier between the oximeter and the external environment. It includes a sealable chamber that mediates the interaction between the device and patient/tissue, allowing the oximeter to remain isolated and protected while still functioning through the sheath's optical windows and interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to communicate status information, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system operates periodically rather than continuously. The sheath communicates status information (such as seal integrity and contamination alerts) at specific intervals or triggered by events, reducing power consumption while still providing real-time monitoring capabilities when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 ensures the oximeter remains clean and functional for repeated use, maintaining measurement accuracy and reducing contamination risks, thus enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

includes windows for light transmission and reception

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

Tissue oximeters can measure oxygen levels in human tissue by exploiting these light-absorption differences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption by chromophores: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS12357204B2Medical device and sheath seal and seal verification

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 VIOPTIX INC

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.