Medical Sensor Housing with Rigid-Flexible Alignment and Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Sensing arrangements for medical devices face a conflict between positioning and protection, with flexible components improving alignment but reducing protection, and rigid components enhancing protection at the expense of positioning.

Innovation Solution

A sensing arrangement with a housing featuring a rigid portion and flexible portion, including a collar region that rolls over the rigid portion for alignment and a resilient material to ensure correct orientation, and seals to protect the sensor, facilitating easy insertion and removal while maintaining positioning and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible component is used in the sensing arrangement, then positioning and alignment tolerance is improved, but protection from damage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment toleranceVSAvoidprotection from damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing arrangement is divided into distinct segments: a rigid portion (including tip and stem) for protection and structural integrity, and a flexible portion (including collar and tail regions) for positioning and alignment. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sensing arrangement have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The rigid portion provides structural strength and protection, while the flexible portion provides alignment tolerance and positioning capability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a rigid component is used in the sensing arrangement, then protection from damage is improved, but positioning and alignment capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidpositioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing arrangement is divided into distinct segments: a rigid portion (including tip and stem) for protection and structural integrity, and a flexible portion (including collar and tail regions) for positioning and alignment. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sensing arrangement have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The rigid portion provides structural strength and protection, while the flexible portion provides alignment tolerance and positioning capability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If multiple positioning and protection features are combined, then both positioning and protection are provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepositioningVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid and flexible portions are merged into a single integrated sensing arrangement structure. The collar region serves dual purposes: it connects the rigid and flexible portions while also providing the rolling alignment function. This merging reduces overall complexity compared to separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar region performs multiple functions: structural connection between rigid and flexible portions, rolling alignment during insertion, and sealing engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides enhanced positioning and protection of sensing elements in medical devices, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing the risk of damage during use.

Implementation Method 1

The collar region may be configured to roll over a portion of the rigid portion as the rigid portion moves axially

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

the collar region remains partially compressed. This can aid in establishing the correct orientation of the sensing arrangement and improve sealing about said aperture by increasing the force between a seal and the wall defining the aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12508391B2Sensing arrangements for medical devices

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

A sensing arrangement for a medical device includes a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, a collar of the flexible portion attached to an exterior of the rigid portion such that a stem of the rigid portion extends into an interior of the flexible portion. A sensing element is positioned at least partially within a passageway of the rigid portion, with at least one wire extending from the sensing element through the passageway and into the interior of the flexible portion. Front and rear flanges protrude from the flexible portion and are adapted to allow the sensing arrangement to be attached into an aperture in a wall of the medical device. The stem of the rigid portion may be positioned between the collar and front flanges of the flexible portion, such that the stem does not extend through the aperture of the wall of the medical device. There are also provided a seal, a removable component, a medical device and a system.