Transcutaneous Gas Sensor With Barrier Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring carbon dioxide levels in patients, such as respiratory gas analysis and transcutaneous sensors, are inconvenient, uncomfortable for patients, and prone to water infiltration, requiring skilled personnel and potentially leading to inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a gas collection chamber, efferent and afferent conduits, and a sensing component that allows for the diffusion and circulation of tissue constituents, with a barrier layer to prevent water infiltration, enabling non-invasive and accurate monitoring of carbon dioxide levels without disrupting physiological monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If transcutaneous sensors are placed against the skin to measure carbon dioxide levels, then the measurement convenience is improved, but the sensors become sensitive to water or bodily fluid infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement convenienceVSAvoidsensor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into distinct functional segments: a water-impermeable membrane layer that interfaces with tissue, a separate sensing chamber containing the sensing component, and connection elements. This segmentation isolates the sensitive sensing component from direct exposure to bodily fluids while maintaining the ability to measure tissue constituents through the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water-impermeable membrane serves as an intermediary element between the tissue and the sensing component. This membrane allows selective passage of tissue constituents (such as carbon dioxide) while blocking water and bodily fluids, thus protecting the sensing component from fluid infiltration while enabling accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If respiratory gas analysis is used to estimate carbon dioxide levels, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but the procedure requires skilled medical personnel and causes patient discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive measurementVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is designed for self-application and self-maintenance. It can be easily attached to the patient's tissue without requiring intubation or complex respiratory gas collection equipment. The sensor autonomously performs the measurement function, eliminating the need for skilled personnel to manipulate complex respiratory gas analysis equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the sensing component is integrated directly with the gas collection chamber, then the device structure is simplified, but the sensing component becomes vulnerable to water infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidwater infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor structure is segmented into a water-impermeable membrane layer, a sensing chamber, and a sensing component. The membrane layer acts as a protective barrier that separates the sensing component from direct exposure to water and bodily fluids, while still allowing tissue constituents to reach the sensing component through controlled diffusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the sensor remains in place for long-term monitoring, then continuous physiological monitoring is achieved, but the risk of water infiltration and measurement inaccuracy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water-impermeable membrane provides beforehand protection against water infiltration that could compromise the sensing component during long-term use. This protective barrier is in place from the beginning, preventing fluid contamination that would otherwise increase with prolonged exposure to bodily fluids during extended monitoring periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 provides a versatile, comfortable, and accurate method for monitoring carbon dioxide levels, allowing for easy exchange of sensing components and reducing water infiltration, suitable for various tissues and long-term monitoring, while being adaptable for multiple tissue constituents.

Implementation Method 1

at least one gas collection chamber into which a tissue constituent is able to diffuse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the barrier layer is substantially impermeable to water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater impermeability: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS7811276B2Medical sensor and technique for using the same

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A sensor is provided that is appropriate for transcutaneous detection of tissue or blood constituents. A sensor for tissue constituent detection may include a gas collection chamber with a conduit to a sensing component and a conduit from the sensing component to the chamber. A sensor as provided may also include a barrier layer to prevent water from infiltrating the sensor.