Paramagnetic Gas Sensor Using Magnetic Core and Coil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen sensors in healthcare settings, particularly in anesthesia and intensive care, face challenges with slow response times and mechanical interference, limiting their ability to accurately measure oxygen concentrations in real-time during both inspiratory and expiratory phases, especially in children and adults, and are prone to mechanical noise.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state gas sensor device that generates a magnetic field using a coil and magnetic core with poles, surrounded by a substrate, which causes paramagnetic gas components like oxygen to vibrate and emit acoustic signals, minimizing mechanical noise and allowing for fast and accurate oxygen concentration measurement without the need for pumps or reference gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional electro-chemical O2 sensors are used, then they can measure oxygen concentration, but the response time is typically a few seconds which is too slow for real-time monitoring during breathing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electro-chemical sensing mechanisms with a paramagnetic sensing mechanism based on magnetic field interaction. The sensor uses a magnetic field generator to create alternating magnetic fields that interact with paramagnetic oxygen molecules, producing acoustic signals detected by a microphone. This substitution eliminates the slow electro-chemical reaction-based measurement process while achieving fast response times of 100 ms or better, meeting real-time monitoring requirements without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electro-chemical potential to acoustic signal generation through magnetic field interaction. By using alternating magnetic fields at specific frequencies and detecting the resulting acoustic emissions from paramagnetic oxygen molecules, the system achieves both fast response times and accurate measurements. The parameter change enables real-time tracking of oxygen concentration during both inspiratory and expiratory phases of breathing cycles.
2Speed
If solenoid type acoustic emitter is used for fast response measurement, then response time is improved, but dynamic magnetic forces on the coil generate unwanted magneto-mechanical interference signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic solenoid coil component that generates magneto-mechanical interference. Instead of using a solenoid where the coil itself experiences dynamic magnetic forces, the design separates the magnetic field generation function from the acoustic detection function. The magnetic field generator uses a different configuration that avoids generating interference signals in the acoustic detection path, thereby eliminating the harmful magneto-mechanical interference while maintaining fast response capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a magnetic field generator with a specific configuration that mediates between the need for fast magnetic field switching and the need to avoid interference. The design uses a magnetic core with poles and a coil arrangement that generates the necessary alternating magnetic fields for paramagnetic sensing while the physical configuration acts as an intermediary that prevents the generation of unwanted magneto-mechanical interference signals in the acoustic detection path.
3Measurement precision
If sidestream setup with gas sampling pump is used, then oxygen concentration can be measured, but transport delay of 1 to 2 seconds occurs between measured signal and real-time concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gas sampling pump and tubing transport system with a direct mainstream sensing approach. The sensor is positioned to measure oxygen concentration directly in the breathing circuit without requiring physical transport of gas samples. This substitution of the mechanical sampling system with a direct sensing system eliminates the 1 to 2 second transport delay, providing real-time oxygen concentration measurements that accurately reflect current breathing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design enables self-service measurement by directly sensing oxygen concentration in the breathing circuit without requiring external gas sampling infrastructure. The mainstream configuration allows the sensor to measure oxygen levels in situ, eliminating the need for pumps, tubing, and reference gas systems, thereby removing transport delays and providing immediate real-time measurements of oxygen concentration during both inspiration and expiration phases.
4Speed
If mainstream sensor configuration is used, then real-time measurement during both inspiratory and expiratory phases is possible, but the sensor must be compact and lightweight for clinical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film and miniaturized component designs throughout the sensor construction. The magnetic field generator, acoustic detection elements, and housing are designed as compact, lightweight components that can be integrated into a small form factor. This allows the sensor to be positioned in the breathing circuit for mainstream real-time measurement during both inspiratory and expiratory phases while remaining lightweight enough for comfortable patient use during anesthesia and intensive care monitoring.
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 device provides a robust, fast-response oxygen sensor with reduced mechanical noise, enabling real-time measurement of oxygen concentrations during breathing cycles, suitable for both mainstream and sidestream applications, and can be integrated into compact, lightweight designs for clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
a device for generating magnetic field comprising a coil responsive to an electric current for generating a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
Oxygen (O2) differs physically from all other relevant respiratory gases appearing in clinical environment by being a strongly paramagnetic. This means that a force is acting on O2 molecules in gradients of magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic core with poles for generating a magnetic field close to the poles making a paramagnetic gas component to vibrate and emit acoustic signal
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A device for generating magnetic field is disclosed herein The device includes a coil (4) responsive to an electric current and a magnetic core (3) with poles (6,7) for generating a magnetic field close to the poles making a paramagnetic gas component to vibrate and emit acoustic signal and which magnetic core is surrounded at least partly by the coil. The device for generating magnetic field also includes a substrate (2) at least partly covered by the magnetic core and the coil. A method for preparing a device for generating a magnetic field is also provided. Further a gas sensor for a measurement of a paramagnetic gas component is provided.