Wireless Thermal Flow Sensor for Disposable Medical Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow meters are not suitable for applications where channels are regularly replaced, such as sterile medical procedures, due to high costs and impracticality of recycling, as they require frequent disposal and are prone to electrical contact contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system that measures fluid velocity using a chip with a heating element and transducer arrangement, powered by electromagnetic radiation, allowing for wireless operation and disposability, which reduces costs and minimizes contamination risks, and a control unit that transmits power and measurement signals without physical connections, enabling easy reuse and accurate fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluid flow meter is used in medical applications with regular channel replacement, then fluid flow measurement is achieved, but the cost increases and recycling becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing a fluid flow meter that is intended for single-use in medical applications. The device is integrated into a disposable channel assembly, eliminating the need for recycling or sterilization processes. This resolves the contradiction by accepting the device as short-lived (disposable) to simplify manufacturing and eliminate complex recycling infrastructure, while maintaining measurement precision through integrated sensor technology.
2Reliability
If a fluid flow meter is disposed of frequently in sterile medical applications, then contamination risks are minimized, but the cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid flow meter with the disposable channel assembly into a single integrated unit. This combination ensures that the sensor and its protective housing are replaced together as one component, maintaining sterility without requiring separate handling or complex disposal procedures. The integration resolves the contradiction by simplifying the disposal process (improving productivity) while ensuring complete replacement of potentially contaminated components (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable design where the entire channel assembly including the fluid flow meter is replaced frequently in sterile medical applications. This eliminates contamination risks by ensuring the sensor housing and associated components are always sterile, while the standardized disposable design keeps labor and costs manageable through simplified replacement procedures.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical connections are made in the sensor for powering the heating element, then power supply is achieved, but contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections with optical signaling technology. The sensor uses optical fibers or wireless optical communication to transmit data and receive power signals, eliminating exposed electrical contacts that could become contaminated. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining energy supply capability through optical means while eliminating the contamination risk associated with electrical connections in sterile environments.
4Reliability
If the sensor is integrated into a disposable channel assembly, then contamination risks are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid flow measurement system into a disposable integrated unit (channel assembly with embedded sensor) and a reusable external unit (data processing and control system). This segmentation allows the complex sensor integration to be confined to a standardized disposable component that can be manufactured using automated processes, reducing the perceived complexity. The reusable external unit handles complex data processing, further simplifying the disposable unit's design while maintaining sterility.
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 sensor system provides accurate and reliable fluid flow measurements while being economically viable for disposable use in medical and other applications, reducing labor and costs associated with frequent replacements and minimizing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a chip (104) comprising a heating element (106) for heating the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a transducer arrangement (108) for generating a measurement signal indicative for the velocity of the fluid flowing through the channel
Implementation Method 3
which sensor receiver (110) is arranged for receiving an electromagnetic radiation for powering the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor (102) and a control unit (702) for cooperation with the sensor. The sensor (102) serves for measuring a velocity of a fluid (308) flowing through a channel (306). The sensor (102) employs a thermal measuring principle, which measuring principle is robust regarding disturbances on the amount of power dissipated by the heating element (106). A sensor receiver (110) is arranged for receiving an electromagnetic radiation generated by a control transmitter (722) comprised in a control (702) unit for cooperation with the sensor (102). The electromagnetic radiation is employed for powering the heating element (106) which is arranged for heating the fluid. On the basis of a measurement signal generated by a transducer arrangement comprised in the sensor (102), a control actuator (724) controls the velocity of the fluid. For this purpose a sensor transmitter (116) is arranged for transmitting the measurement signal to a control receiver (734).