Transcutaneous CO2 Sensor with Vector Gas Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring carbon dioxide levels in blood, particularly in patients with respiratory issues or neonates, are either invasive and painful or non-invasive but lack precision and efficiency, especially in continuous monitoring applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact transcutaneous CO2 measurement device with a measuring chamber and gas sensor, utilizing a driving mechanism to facilitate gas transport and an infrared sensor for accurate CO2 detection, is designed to improve response time and accuracy by minimizing distance between the sensor and skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-invasive transcutaneous measurement method is used, then patient comfort and ease of continuous monitoring are improved, but measurement precision and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent chambers: a collecting chamber for gathering transcutaneous gas and a measuring chamber for precise sensor measurement. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining non-invasive comfort while improving measurement precision through dedicated measurement space.
Solution Approach 2:
A vector gas flow is introduced as an intermediary to transport the transcutaneous gas from the collecting chamber to the measuring chamber. This mediator enables continuous gas circulation and ensures fresh gas samples reach the sensor, improving response time and measurement accuracy without requiring direct invasive contact.
2Loss of time
If the sensor is positioned close to the contact face, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the collecting chamber from the measuring chamber, the sensor can be positioned optimally close to the contact face in the measuring chamber while the collecting chamber handles gas gathering. This spatial segmentation reduces the distance gas must travel to reach the sensor, improving response time without complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A pneumatic system using vector gas flow is implemented to actively transport gas samples through the device. This pneumatic mechanism efficiently moves gas from the collecting chamber to the measuring chamber in a controlled manner, achieving fast response times through systematic gas circulation rather than passive diffusion.
3Measurement precision
If continuous gas circulation is implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements partial circulation by introducing vector gas flow only in the measuring chamber where precise measurement is needed, rather than circulating gas throughout the entire device. This partial action maintains measurement accuracy by ensuring fresh gas samples reach the sensor while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from excessive gas circulation.
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 device enables continuous, accurate monitoring of CO2 levels with reduced response time and increased sensitivity, allowing for precise estimation of blood CO2 concentrations without invasive methods, suitable for various applications including respiratory health and plant respiration studies.
Implementation Method 1
The transcutaneous gas of interest is propagated through the device by convection, because of the effect of a heat source
Implementation Method 2
a measuring chamber including a CO2 sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Measuring device (1) intended to be disposed against a medium, the device extending between a contact face (10) intended to be applied facing the medium and a distal end (4), the device including a lateral wall (5) extending between the contact face and the distal end, the device including:at the level of the contact face (10), at least one admission opening (12) configured to collect a transcutaneous gas of interest emitted through the medium, the admission opening being through the contact face;a measuring chamber (20) including a gas sensor (23), the gas sensor being configured to measure a concentration of the gas of interest flowing through the measuring chamber;a collecting chamber (30) connected to the measuring chamber and delimited by an opening on the lateral wall, the collecting chamber including at least one lateral opening (34) through the lateral face or on the top wall of the collecting chamber so as to admit a vector gas into the collecting chamber;the device being characterized in that:the measuring chamber (20) is disposed between the contact face (10) and the collecting chamber (30);the device includes a pump (41) configured to drive a vector gas through the collecting chamber to an evacuation opening (42) so that driving the vector gas induces aspiration of the gas of interest from the contact face to the collecting chamber via the measuring chamber.