Polymeric Sensor Cover for Medical Waste Fluid Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological fluids and cleaning/disinfecting fluids can corrode or damage components of medical waste fluid collection and disposal systems, necessitating a solution to prevent direct fluid contact.
Innovation Solution
A fluid level sensor assembly with a polymeric fluid level sensor cover is attached to the base of the canister, featuring a magnetostrictive sensor probe and float assembly, protected by a polymeric cover to prevent fluid contact and corrosion, allowing for accurate fluid level monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fluid level sensor is installed directly in the canister without a protective cover, then the sensor can directly monitor the fluid level, but the sensor components are exposed to corrosion from medical waste fluid and cleaning/disinfecting fluid
Solution Approach 1:
A polymeric fluid level sensor cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor and the corrosive fluids. The cover allows the sensor to monitor fluid levels while preventing direct contact between the sensor components and harmful fluids, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and corrosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric cover acts as a flexible protective shell that encloses the sensor components. This thin film structure provides corrosion protection while maintaining the sensor's ability to detect fluid levels, addressing both the measurement precision and corrosion resistance requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is added around the fluid level sensor, then corrosion protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects against corrosion, maintains fluid level monitoring accuracy, and provides a sealed enclosure. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving comprehensive protection.
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 effectively prevents corrosion and allows for reliable fluid level monitoring within the medical waste fluid collection system, ensuring the integrity and longevity of system components.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a magnetostrictive sensor probe and float assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid level sensor assembly for monitoring a fluid level in a fluid collection canister of a medical waste fluid collection system. The fluid level sensor assembly includes a fluid level sensor configured for monitoring the fluid level in the fluid collection canister and a fluid level sensor cover configured for preventing direct contact between the fluid level sensor and a fluid in the fluid collection canister. The fluid level sensor cover includes a polymeric cap and polymeric sheath extending from the cap. The elongate tubular sheath surrounds an elongate probe of the sensor with the cap positioned at a base of a sensor body of the sensor to prevent direct fluid contact with the elongate sensor probe and the sensor body.