Medical Tube Light Guide for Precise Stomach Position Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for confirming the position of a medical tube, such as nasal tubes, are limited by the need for gastric juice secretion or complex air pressure control, which restricts applicability and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A medical tube position confirmation system using a light guide and light source to emit wavelengths that pass through the body, allowing confirmation of the tube's position by observing light exiting through the stomach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detection line with insulated wires and sensor portion is used to detect gastric juice contact, then the position of the medical tube can be confirmed, but the types of patients to which the method can be applied are limited and measurement precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical detection system (detection line with insulated wires and sensor portions that detect gastric juice contact) with an optical system (light guide that transmits light through the medical tube). This substitution eliminates the limitation requiring gastric juice secretion, as the optical method can confirm tube position through light transmission regardless of gastric juice presence, thereby improving both measurement precision and adaptability to different patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical resistance (based on gastric juice contact) to optical transmission (light passage). By using light transmission as the detection parameter, the system can confirm tube position in patients regardless of their gastric juice secretion status, expanding applicability while maintaining accurate position confirmation.
2Measurement precision
If air pressure variation method is used to confirm nasal tube position, then the position can be determined, but a complicated configuration is required and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical air pressure control system with a simple optical system. Instead of requiring air pressure generation devices, sensors, and control mechanisms, the invention uses a light guide that simply transmits light through the medical tube, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining position confirmation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex air pressure control components from the system. By eliminating the need for air pressure generation devices, valves, and control mechanisms, the system achieves tube position confirmation through a simplified optical approach, reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If air pressure control system is implemented to generate air pressure variation, then tube position can be confirmed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the expensive air pressure control system with an inexpensive optical system. The light guide and light source replace costly mechanical components, air pressure generators, and control systems, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to confirm tube position accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive light guide that can be easily manufactured and potentially disposed of after single use. This replaces expensive, complex air pressure control systems with a cost-effective optical component that achieves the same position confirmation function at much lower manufacturing cost.
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
Enables easy and precise confirmation of the medical tube's position without the limitations of gastric juice secretion or complex configurations, reducing costs and expanding applicability.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide 20 that guides light entering through an incident end portion 20I so as to exit through an exit end portion 20E
Implementation Method 2
a light source 10 that is optically connected to the incident end portion 20I of the light guide 20 and emits light containing wavelengths that pass through a living body
Data Source
AI summary
A medical tube position confirmation system for confirming the position of a medical tube that is used to supply nutrients to the interior of a body by means of tube feeding while an end portion thereof is inserted into (placed in) the stomach includes a light guide that is configured to guide light entering through an incident end portion so that the light exits through an exit end portion, and is configured to be insertable into the medical tube so that the exit end portion is disposed in the interior of the stomach, and a light source that is optically connected to the incident end portion of the light guide and emits light containing wavelengths that pass through a living body.