RFID Breathing Circuit Integrity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilator circuit integrity detection methods are inefficient, as they fail to accurately report connected components and do not account for compliance and resistance losses, leading to time-consuming user workflows and potential gas leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of open RFID tags and conducting rings in ventilator breathing circuits allows for automated integrity checks, providing data on circuit connections and component presence, enabling optimized gas volume delivery and alerting users to absent or disconnected components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional gas leakage detection methods are used, then circuit disconnects can be detected, but the system fails to report connected components and does not provide detailed integrity information
Solution Approach 1:
RFID tags are placed on circuit components to serve as intermediaries that carry identification and status information. The RFID reader acts as a mediator to detect and read this information, enabling the system to report which components are connected and their specific status without requiring complex wiring or intrusive sensors throughout the entire circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical connection-checking methods with RFID electromagnetic field-based detection. Instead of using complex electrical wiring, tubes, or optical fibers to detect circuit integrity, the system uses non-contact RFID tags that can be read through the breathing circuit materials, simplifying the detection system while providing more comprehensive component information.
2Reliability
If loop-back connection methods are used to detect circuit disconnects, then integrity can be tested, but the system is costly and intrusive with additional wires and tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the integrity detection function from the physical breathing circuit by using separate RFID tags that attach to circuit components. This separates the detection infrastructure from the gas flow path, eliminating the need for additional wires, tubes, or optical fibers within the breathing circuit itself. The RFID tags remain on the external surfaces of components like humidifiers and filters, maintaining circuit integrity while enabling detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical connection-testing methods (requiring physical loop-back wires and tubes) with electromagnetic field-based RFID detection. The RFID reader communicates with tags through electromagnetic fields that penetrate the breathing circuit materials, eliminating the need for physical loop-back connections and intrusive wiring throughout the circuit.
3Measurement precision
If manual compliance and resistance testing is performed, then compensation for gas volume losses can be calculated, but the workflow becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs compliance and resistance measurements in advance during the circuit assembly phase, before patient connection. RFID tags on circuit components store their compliance and resistance characteristics, and the system automatically reads this information when the circuit is assembled. This preliminary data collection eliminates the need for time-consuming manual testing during the critical pre-ventilation workflow, while maintaining measurement precision through automated sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathing circuit components themselves provide the compliance and resistance measurement data through their integrated RFID tags, rather than requiring external manual testing equipment. The components essentially self-report their characteristics to the ventilator system, automating what was previously a manual user task. The system automatically compiles this information to calculate total circuit compliance and resistance without user intervention.
4Productivity
If predefined compliance values are summed to compensate gas volume losses, then calculation can be performed, but user error increases with manual data entry
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tags on circuit components automatically provide their compliance and resistance values to the ventilator system without requiring manual data entry. The components self-report their characteristics through their RFID identifiers, and the system automatically compiles this data to calculate total circuit compliance. This eliminates user error in data entry while maintaining rapid compensation calculations, as the system directly reads verified component specifications rather than relying on user input.
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
This solution automates circuit integrity verification, ensuring accurate compensation for compliance and resistance losses, reducing user workflow time and preventing gas leakage by providing real-time alerts and optimizing ventilator performance.
Implementation Method 1
an open radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a first point of connection and a conducting ring on the second point of connection such that when a circuit connection is made, the open RFID tag becomes active and provides an RFID reader with data regarding the circuit connection
Data Source
AI summary
A system and to automate the integrity check of a breathing system and inform a ventilator to deliver a compensated gas volume, and alert the user if a vital component of a breathing circuit is absent or not fully connected. The system and method utilize an open RFID tag on a first point of connection and a conducting ring on the second point of connection such that when a circuit connection is made, the open RFID tag becomes active and provides an RFID reader with data regarding the circuit connection.