Planar Electrode Air Bubble Detection for Medical Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection devices for tubular bodies, such as transfusion tubes, face challenges including high production costs, complex structures, difficulty in cleaning, and potential damage to the tubes due to the need for opposed electrodes and deformation, particularly when using ultrasonic or capacitance-based methods for air bubble detection.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a detection electrode and a drive electrode arranged on the same plane, generating lines of electric force to detect the state of a tubular body without requiring opposed electrodes, allowing for easy production, economic feasibility, and simplified cleaning, while preventing tube damage by not requiring close contact or deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensors are used for air bubble detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but production cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic mechanical sensor system with an electrostatic field-based detection system. Instead of using ultrasonic waves requiring transmission and reception parts, the invention uses electric field lines that interact with the tubular body and fluid, detecting air bubbles through changes in electric field distribution. This substitution eliminates the need for complex ultrasonic hardware while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic transmission and reception parts are placed opposed to each other, then detection accuracy is improved, but production difficulty increases and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional opposed placement configuration to a two-dimensional planar arrangement. Both the detection electrode and reference electrode are placed on the same plane, allowing the tubular body to be positioned above them. This dimensional change simplifies manufacturing and cleaning while maintaining detection functionality through the vertical electric field interaction.
3Measurement precision
If the tubular body is placed in close contact with the sensor portion, then detection accuracy is improved, but tube durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electric field as an intermediary between the detection system and the tubular body. Instead of direct mechanical contact between the sensor and tube, the electric field lines extend upward to interact with the tubular body and its contents. This intermediary approach enables detection while eliminating mechanical stress and contact-related damage to the tubular body.
4Measurement precision
If the transfusion tube is deformed for capacitance detection, then air bubble detection is enabled, but tube lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deformation-based capacitance detection with an electrostatic field-based detection method. Instead of deforming the tube to change capacitance, the system uses electric field lines that naturally interact with the tubular body in its normal state, detecting air bubbles through field distribution changes without mechanical stress or deformation.
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 effectively detects the presence or absence of air bubbles and other states in liquids flowing through tubular bodies with reduced production costs, simplified structure for easy cleaning, and minimized risk of tube damage, making it suitable for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to generate lines of electric force between the detection electrode and the drive electrode and to detect a state of the tubular body by detecting lines of electric force entering the detection electrode
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a detection device including: a detection electrode that is arranged at a position on an arrangement plane near a tubular body; a drive electrode that is arranged on the arrangement plane; and a controller configured to generate lines of electric force between the detection electrode and the drive electrode and to detect a state of the tubular body by detecting lines of electric force entering the detection electrode.