Polyether Block Amide Tubing for Low-Distortion Respiratory Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory gas sampling systems face challenges in accurately monitoring gas concentrations due to moisture condensation, contamination, and distortion of gas flow, particularly at high breath rates, which can degrade waveform analysis and increase maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A gas sampling line using a polyether block amide material with polyethyleneoxide segments for the gas sampling tube and a drying assembly with a hydrophilic member to remove moisture and contaminants, ensuring minimal distortion and accurate gas component readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional water trap or moisture separation means is included in the sampling line, then moisture and contaminants are separated from the gas sample, but the gas sample flow is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydrophilic porous material (such as hydrophilic polyethylene terephthalate or hydrophilic polypropylene) as the moisture separation mechanism. The porous structure allows water and contaminants to be absorbed and separated from the gas sample through capillary action and adsorption, while the material's permeability ensures that gas flow is not significantly distorted. The porous design provides large surface area for moisture removal while maintaining adequate gas throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sampling line materials, specifically using hydrophilic materials with controlled pore sizes and surface properties. By adjusting the hydrophilicity level, pore diameter, and material composition, the system achieves optimal moisture separation efficiency while minimizing impact on gas flow characteristics. The material parameters are selected to balance water absorption capacity with gas permeability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tube length is increased to improve moisture removal efficiency, then moisture content is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrophilic porous materials that provide high moisture removal efficiency through their porous structure and capillary action. The porous material's large surface area and controlled pore sizes enable effective water removal in a compact form factor, eliminating the need for excessively long tubes. The material's inherent properties provide the necessary drying function within a short distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining hydrophilic porous material with appropriate support structures. The composite design integrates the moisture removal function into a compact assembly that achieves high efficiency without requiring extended tube lengths. The composite structure optimizes both moisture separation performance and spatial compactness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional water traps are used to protect the gas monitor, then moisture is removed, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable hydrophilic porous material component that is integrated into the sampling line. This disposable element is designed to be replaced rather than maintained, eliminating complex maintenance requirements. The material's short service life is acceptable given its low cost and simplicity, avoiding the need for expensive maintenance operations. The disposable nature simplifies the overall system maintenance strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic porous material provides effective moisture removal in a compact, simple design that is cost-effective to manufacture and replace. The material's inherent properties enable reliable gas monitor protection without requiring complex mechanical water trap structures that would increase maintenance costs. The simplicity of the porous material component reduces both initial cost and maintenance burden.
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 provides a cost-effective, low-distortion gas sampling with prolonged operating time, suitable for high breath rates, by effectively removing moisture and contaminants without the need for conventional water traps, ensuring accurate gas component analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the accuracy of the gas concentrations obtained from a respiratory gas monitor also depends on the ability of the analyser system to direct the gas sample from the patient, through the tube of a sampling line to the gas sensor, without distorting the gas sample flow. One cause of distortion of the gas sample flow may be the adsorption on and/or absorption in the tube material of one of more of the components of the gas sample.
Implementation Method 2
the accuracy of the gas concentrations obtained from a respiratory gas monitor also depends on the ability of the analyser system to direct the gas sample from the patient, through the tube of a sampling line to the gas sensor, without distorting the gas sample flow. One cause of distortion of the gas sample flow may be the adsorption on and/or absorption in the tube material of one of more of the components of the gas sample.
Implementation Method 3
a drying assembly with a hydrophilic member to remove moisture and contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sampling line having a channel for conducting respiratory gases from a patient respiratory interlace to a gas monitor, the gas sampling line comprising, i.a., a gas sampling tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide. Use of a tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide, for sampling of respiratory gases; and a method for sampling of respiratory gases, the method comprising conducting respiratory gases through such a tube. A gas analysis system for analysing respiratory gases, comprising a gas sampling line as defined above and a gas monitor connectable to the gas sampling line.