Respirable Gas Sensor Modules with Redundant Measurement Principles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor modules for respirable gas mixtures lack redundancy and accuracy in measuring multiple gases, which can compromise the safety and availability of medical and industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A sensor module that incorporates at least one first sensor and one second sensor for measuring gases, each using different principles of measurement (such as optical absorption, paramagnetic thermal, or electrochemical), to determine a measurement result that accounts for the measurements of both sensors, thereby enhancing redundancy and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors with different measurement principles are used to measure the same gas, then measurement accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module is divided into multiple independent sensor units, each measuring the same gas parameter using different measurement principles. This segmentation allows the system to compare and validate measurements from multiple sources, improving accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs sensors that measure the same gas parameter (e.g., oxygen concentration) but use different measurement principles (e.g., paramagnetic vs. electrochemical methods). By changing the measurement parameter approach rather than the target parameter, the system achieves redundant verification without requiring completely different sensor types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If redundant sensors are implemented for measuring gases, then availability and safety are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module is designed with multi-functional capability where each sensor can measure multiple gas parameters or the same parameter using different principles. This universality allows the redundant sensors to serve dual purposes: primary measurement and backup verification, thereby improving availability while justifying the manufacturing cost through enhanced safety and reliability in critical applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple sensors with different measurement principles are used, then redundancy is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors with different measurement principles are merged into a single integrated sensor module with common electronics, signal processing, and evaluation logic. This merging approach achieves redundancy while reducing overall device complexity by sharing common components and infrastructure across the multiple sensor channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 proposed solution achieves improved functionality, availability, and safety by providing redundant measurements that increase the accuracy of gas concentration measurements and ensure the reliability of the sensor module, even in critical applications like ventilators and anesthesia apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first sensor and/or at least one second sensor is an optical absorption sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one first sensor and/or at least one second sensor may be a paramagnetic thermal sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParamagnetic thermal effect: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

at least one first sensor and/or at least one second sensor may be an electrochemical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrochemiluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS12345692B2Sensor module for respirable gas mixtures, ventilator, therapy device and method for measuring a plurality of gases of a respirable gas mixture

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

A respirable gas mixture sensor module (10) includes a first sensor (1, 14-1, 14-2) for measuring a gas and a second sensor (18, 18-1, 18-2) for measuring the same gas and apply different principles of measurement. The sensor module (10) is configured to determine a measurement result for the gas taking into account the measurements. As an alternative the sensor module (10) includes a first sensor group (12) including a first sensor (14, 14-1, 14-2) and a second sensor group (16) including a second sensor (18, 18-1, 18-2), each for measuring both a first and a second gas and apply different principles of measurement. The sensor module is configured to determine measurement results for the gases, taking into account the respective measurements of the first and second sensors. A ventilator, a therapy device and a method for measuring a plurality of gases of a respirable gas mixture are also provided.