RFID Tag Sensor for Medical Gas Humidification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory humidification systems for medical gas delivery face challenges in accurately measuring and controlling gas parameters like temperature, humidity, and pressure due to dependency on correct sensor positioning and lack of intuitive user controls, which can lead to inappropriate gas delivery to patients.
Innovation Solution
A breathing circuit system incorporating RFID tags at the patient interface to sense and measure gas parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and humidity, with an integrated control system that adjusts output parameters like fan speed and heater power based on real-time data from these tags, and includes user-operable controls for setting desired gas conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature probes are used to measure gas temperature at two points along the conduit, then the control system can adjust power output to control humidification, but the system becomes dependent on correct sensor positioning and connection, which can lead to impaired performance if sensors are incorrectly placed or connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical temperature probes with RFID tags that use electromagnetic fields to sense and transmit temperature data wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and precise mechanical positioning of sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary devices that are attached to the patient interface and communicate wirelessly with the control system, serving as a reliable mediator that eliminates dependency on direct physical connections
2Ease of operation
If manual controls are provided on the blower unit to adjust power output, then users can make power adjustments, but the controls have no direct or intuitive relationship with the actual physical parameters they are intended to control, making it difficult for users to achieve desired gas humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where RFID tags continuously monitor temperature at the patient interface and transmit this data to the control system, which automatically adjusts power output to maintain optimal humidity levels, providing users with intuitive and accurate humidity control
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of humidification parameters based on real-time temperature feedback from RFID tags, eliminating the need for users to manually calculate or estimate the correct settings
3Reliability
If RFID tags are used at the patient interface to sense gas parameters, then the system eliminates dependency on correct sensor positioning and cable connections, but requires integration of RFID interrogators and wireless communication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heater wire serve dual functions: heating the gas conduit and acting as an aerial for RFID communication, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall system
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 system ensures accurate and adaptive delivery of heated, humidified gases by automatically adjusting parameters based on real-time sensor data, reducing user error and ensuring optimal gas conditions for different patient interfaces, while also monitoring component expiry dates for safety.
Implementation Method 1
RFID tags at the patient interface to sense and measure gas parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and humidity
Implementation Method 2
a heater plate which in use is located adjacent to said humidifier chamber and which is adapted to heat said quantity of water in said humidifier chamber
Implementation Method 3
or the power to a heater wire provided within the conduit connecting the humidifier to patient (by altering the current flowing through the heater wire)
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing circuit for delivering heated, humidified gases to a patient for medical purposes is described, comprising a humidifier chamber holding a quantity of water, a blower unit that delivers a pressurized gases stream to the chamber inlet, and a control system that adjusts output parameters of the breathing circuit, the circuit including a heater plate which heats the water in the chamber so that gases flowing through the chamber become heated and humidified, the circuit also including a gases transportation pathway and patient interface to convey heated humidified gases to a patient, the gases transportation pathway including an RFID tag located at the patient end which senses a parameter of the gases passing through the pathway, the control system including an RFID interrogator interrogating and receiving data relating to the sensed parameter from the RFID tag in real time, and adjusting the output parameters of the breathing circuit accordingly.