Pressure Sensing Shell Structure to Prevent Tube Kinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure measuring devices face issues with tube kinking, pressure signal loss, and skin markings due to tube placement on flat inner surfaces, leading to inaccurate pressure measurements.
Innovation Solution
A pressure measuring device with a cylindrical or conical shell design featuring a tube housing on the outer surface, a fluid-filled pressure sensing pad, and a kinking-proof shell to prevent tube kinking and improve signal transmission, combined with a textile liner to reduce skin markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tube is placed on a flat inner surface of the shell, then the structure is simple, but tube kinking occurs leading to pressure signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from a flat inner surface to a curved cylindrical shell surface. The tube is routed along this curved surface, which prevents kinking by eliminating sharp bends and angles. The curved geometry allows the tube to flex smoothly while maintaining patentability, directly resolving the tube kinking issue without adding complex structural components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tube is placed on a flat inner surface of the shell, then manufacturing is simple, but pressure marks appear on the subject's skin
Solution Approach 1:
The curved cylindrical shell surface distributes pressure more evenly across the contact area with the subject's body, preventing localized pressure marks. The tube routed along this curved surface maintains a consistent distance from the skin, eliminating the need for additional padding while preventing pressure concentration points that would cause skin markings.
3Reliability
If a tube housing is added to the outer surface of the shell, then tube kinking is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube housing is merged with the shell structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate addition. The housing is formed as part of the shell's outer surface, combining the protective function with the structural function. This merging approach prevents tube kinking while minimizing the increase in device complexity by avoiding additional separate components.
4Measurement precision
If the shell is made cylindrical or conical, then pressure signal measurement is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shell material that can be formed into cylindrical or conical shapes and maintains its shape during use. The flexible nature allows the shell to conform to different body parts while maintaining the curved geometry necessary for preventing tube kinking and improving pressure signal transmission. This approach achieves the desired measurement precision without requiring complex rigid structural components.
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
Enhances pressure signal measurement accuracy by preventing tube kinking and reducing skin markings, allowing for improved determination of physiological parameters like blood pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-filled tube, wherein the shell comprises an opening, through which the tube is fed for allowing the tube to transmit pressure from the pressure sensing pad inside the shell to the pressure transducer outside of the shell
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensing device configured to measure a pressure signal of the subject, wherein the measured pressure signal is indicative of blood pulsations
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure measuring device configured to surround a subject's body part. It comprises a pressure application element configured to apply pressure to the body part and a shell 4 which is arranged to be located between the pressure application element and the body part. It comprises a pressure sensing device with a fluid-filled pressure sensing pad inside the shell, a pressure transducer outside of the shell and a fluid-filled tube 62. The shell comprises an opening, through which the tube is fed for allowing the tube to transmit pressure from the pressure sensing pad to the pressure transducer outside of the shell. The shell comprises a tube housing 101 on the outside surface of the shell and at the location of the opening. The tube housing can reduce the likelihood of a pressure signal loss and of pressure marks on the skin of the body part.