Respiratory Mechanics Module Reverse Connection Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current respiratory mechanics monitoring systems lack the ability to detect and prevent reverse connections of flow sensors, which can lead to incorrect measurements and safety issues, especially in patient monitoring and anesthetic machines, due to the absence of effective installation state monitoring and high costs associated with existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves connecting the flow sensor to a respiratory mechanics measuring module, sampling airway pressures and flows, and using specific threshold values to determine reverse connections by analyzing pressure and flow patterns, with alarm signals sent to the main controller when certain conditions are met, and a respiratory mechanics measuring module with a differential-pressure sensor and sampled-signal processing circuit to implement this method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If external diameter differences or indicative colors are used to prevent blind insertion of flow sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sensor installationVSAvoidcomplexity of connection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and judges reverse connection of flow sensors through software algorithms analyzing pressure and flow data, eliminating the need for complex mechanical prevention structures. The system serves itself by using its own measurement data to detect installation errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the approach from physical/visual parameters (external diameter, color) to functional parameters (pressure values, flow values, their relationships) to detect reverse connection. This allows simple mechanical structures to achieve intelligent detection through parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If photo-coupled circuits and trapezoidal sockets are used to prevent reverse connection, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of reverse connection preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical/electrical structures (photo-coupled circuits, special sockets) with a software-based detection system that uses standard pressure sensors and flow sensors. This substitution maintains reliability while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using expensive physical encoding structures, the system creates a virtual model of correct connection by analyzing the relationship between pressure and flow data. The software copies the functional characteristics of correct installation and compares actual data against this model to detect errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If flow sensor installation monitoring function is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of patient monitoringVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the existing pressure and flow sensors serve multiple functions: their primary measurement function plus an additional function of detecting reverse connection. By analyzing the relationship between pressure and flow data, the system adds monitoring capability without requiring dedicated detection hardware, thus improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7861711B2Method for judging the reverse connection of a flow sensor and a respiratory mechanics measuring module used therein

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A respiratory mechanics measuring module includes a flow sensor, a differential-pressure sensor and a sampled-signal processing circuit which are connected in series. The module further includes a flow sensor reverse connection judging module and an alarm. The flow sensor reverse connection judging module judges the reverse connection of the flow sensor. The alarm gives an alarm signal indicating the flow sensor reverse connection to the main controller when the flow sensor reverse connection judging module judges that the flow sensor is reversedly connected.