Universal Air Bubble Detector with Adjustable Sensor Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air bubble detectors are limited in their ability to monitor for air bubbles downstream from equipment, are often expensive to integrate into existing systems, and are typically designed for specific tubing sizes, making them inflexible and costly for use in various applications and tubing diameters.
Innovation Solution
A universal air bubble detector with pivotably or adjustably mounted sensors that can accommodate different tubing sizes and be mounted at various locations, including near the patient, featuring stand-alone control circuitry and communication capabilities to interface with existing equipment, ensuring proper signal transmission and detection of air bubbles across multiple tubing sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air bubble detectors are custom manufactured for particular applications, then detection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air bubble detector is designed with a universal sensor mount that can accommodate different tubing sizes and types through adjustable positioning mechanisms. The sensor mount includes features such as adjustable arms, clamps, or magnetic mounting options that allow the same detector unit to be adapted to various applications without custom manufacturing, thereby maintaining detection reliability while reducing device complexity and cost.
2Measurement precision
If air bubble detectors are designed for specific tubing sizes, then signal transmission quality is improved, but adaptability to different tubing diameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the sensor position to be moved along the tubing and adjusted to optimize signal transmission quality for each specific tubing size and type. This dynamic positioning ensures good acoustic coupling between the sensor and tubing while maintaining adaptability across different tubing diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector system allows for parameter adjustments in sensor positioning, mounting pressure, and orientation to optimize signal transmission quality for different tubing sizes. By changing these parameters rather than redesigning the entire detector, the system maintains high measurement precision across various tubing configurations.
3Reliability
If air bubble detectors are integrated into existing equipment, then monitoring capability is improved, but equipment cost and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air bubble detection system is segmented into a separate, standalone detector unit that can be externally mounted on existing equipment without requiring integration into the equipment's internal structure. This segmentation allows the monitoring capability to be added while avoiding expensive modifications to the original equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector uses an intermediary sensor mount that interfaces between the detector and the tubing/equipment, allowing the detector to monitor air bubbles without being permanently integrated into the existing equipment. This intermediary mounting solution reduces modification requirements and overall system cost.
4Ease of manufacture
If sensors are fixed in position, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but signal coupling with various tubing sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount provides adjustable positioning that allows the sensor to be dynamically positioned to achieve optimal signal coupling with different tubing sizes. The mount includes features such as sliding mechanisms, adjustable arms, or flexible positioning that enable simple manufacturing while maintaining precise signal coupling through user adjustment.
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 universal air bubble detector effectively monitors for air bubbles in a variety of applications and tubing sizes, providing reliable detection and integration with existing systems without the need for extensive modification, ensuring accurate and flexible operation.
Implementation Method 1
Many available air bubble detectors function by passing a signal through the tubing and fluid and receiving the signal. The received signal is evaluated to determine if an air bubble is present.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.