Medical Probe Seal Failure Detection Using Internal Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable medical probes, such as ultrasound probes, face seal degradation due to repeated use and cleaning, leading to water and chemical ingress, which can damage electronics and cause malfunction or failure, necessitating a method to detect seal failure.
Innovation Solution
A system and method within the medical probe that uses a sensor to monitor temperature, pressure, and humidity or gas concentration, with a processor determining if the seal has failed by comparing these parameters to thresholds, and outputting a notification when deviations occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the medical probe is sealed hermetically to prevent ingress, then the electronics are protected from water and chemicals, but the seal degrades over time due to repeated use and washing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of seal integrity by monitoring internal environmental parameters (temperature, pressure, humidity, gas concentration) before water or chemicals can ingress and damage the electronics. This early detection allows for preventive action before actual damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors internal probe conditions and provides feedback about seal integrity status. When parameters indicate potential seal failure (such as unexpected humidity or temperature changes), the system can alert users to replace or service the probe before actual damage occurs.
2Reliability
If the seal is made more robust to prevent degradation, then protection against ingress is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: it monitors temperature, pressure, humidity, and gas concentration simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive seal integrity monitoring without adding separate dedicated systems for each parameter, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental parameters (temperature, pressure, humidity, gas concentration) serve as intermediary indicators of seal integrity. Rather than directly monitoring the seal itself, the system uses these intermediate measurements to infer seal status, simplifying the overall detection mechanism.
3Reliability
If environmental parameters are monitored continuously, then seal failure is detected early, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system can monitor environmental parameters at periodic intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while still detecting seal failures promptly. The monitoring frequency can be adjusted based on probe usage patterns and risk levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors only the essential parameters needed to detect seal failure (temperature, pressure, humidity, gas concentration) at appropriate thresholds, rather than continuously tracking all possible environmental variables. This partial monitoring approach balances detection accuracy with energy efficiency.
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
Effectively detects seal failure in medical probes, preventing damage to electronics by alerting users when the seal's integrity is compromised, thereby extending the probe's lifespan and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, with the sensor, at least one of a temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of a gas within the medical probe
Implementation Method 2
detecting, with the sensor, at least one of a temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of a gas within the medical probe
Implementation Method 3
detecting, with the sensor, at least one of a temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of a gas within the medical probe
Implementation Method 4
detecting, with the sensor, at least one of a temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of a gas within the medical probe
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for actively detecting an ingress of a medical probe. In accordance with certain embodiments, a method includes monitoring, with a sensor within a medical probe, an internal environment of the medical probe, detecting, with the sensor, at least one of a temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of a gas within the medical probe, determining, with a processor that is in communication with the sensor, whether a seal that hermetically seals the medical probe has failed as a function of at least one of the temperature, pressure, humidity, or concentration of the gas, and outputting, with the processor, a notification that indicates whether the seal has failed.