Sensor Holder with Stretching Ribbons for Secure Patient Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiration sensors attached to patients' faces are prone to detachment, leading to a high risk of entering the respiratory system and causing choking, and current attachment methods are uncomfortable and inefficient, with inflexible tubing and bulky sensors causing irritation and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A measuring assembly featuring a sensor holder with stretching ribbons fastened to the ears and a sticker for secure attachment, preventing sensor detachment into the respiratory system, and a sensor design with a flexible electronic circuit board and thermistor for accurate respiratory gas flow measurement, utilizing a combination of inelastic and elastic ribbon materials for comfort and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are attached with tape or rubber band to the patient's face, then the sensor can be secured to the face, but the sensor may detach and enter the patient's upper airways or trachea causing choking and death
Solution Approach 1:
A ribbon is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor and the patient's head. The ribbon is passed through the patient's hair and secured at the back of the head, creating a safe attachment mechanism that prevents the sensor from detaching into the respiratory system while maintaining secure positioning on the face.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is extracted from direct contact with the face (tape or rubber band) and relocated to the back of the head. By securing the ribbon at the back of the head rather than directly on the face, the sensor is held in place without creating a detachment hazard near the airways.
2Reliability
If a helmet type rubber net is used to attach the sensor, then the sensor is securely attached, but the configuration is uncomfortable to wear as it squeezes and presses the face and head
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is extracted from the face and head area and relocated to the back of the head. The ribbon passes through the hair and secures at the back, completely avoiding contact with and pressure on the face and head, thereby eliminating discomfort while maintaining secure sensor attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a rigid helmet-type rubber net that squeezes and presses, a flexible thin ribbon is used. The ribbon can be easily adjusted and secured in the hair without applying continuous pressure, providing comfort while maintaining attachment security.
3Volume of moving object
If voluminous pressure sensors are placed further away from the patient's face in a remote unit, then the sensor size on the face is reduced, but inflexible tubing and cannulas are required which are uncomfortable and easily torn off
Solution Approach 1:
An flexible electronic circuit board is used instead of inflexible tubing and cannulas. The flexible circuit board can bend and move with the patient's head and face, eliminating discomfort and the risk of tearing while maintaining connection between the sensor and the monitoring system.
4Volume of moving object
If tubes are made of plastics and extended from the face to the remote unit, then the sensor can be positioned away from the face, but the tubes are rather inflexible and uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The inflexible plastic tubes are replaced with a flexible electronic circuit board. This flexible circuit board maintains the ability to connect the sensor positioned away from the face to the remote unit while being flexible enough to move with the patient's head and face movements, eliminating discomfort.
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 solution ensures the sensor remains securely attached to the upper lip, preventing respiratory system entry and providing accurate respiratory function measurements while minimizing discomfort and irritation, enhancing patient safety and measurement sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor design with a flexible electronic circuit board and thermistor for accurate respiratory gas flow measurement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An arrangement for fastening at least one sensor (2) to a face of a subject to acquire a signal indicative of one or more patient physiological parameter is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes a sensor holder (9) for placing the sensor and having at least one fixing point (10). The arrangement also includes at least one ribbon (7) being stretching for fastening the sensor holder by means of the at least one fixing point to an ear of the subject. Also a measuring assembly is disclosed herein. (Fig 1)