Systems and methods for wireless humidifier heating for insufflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflation devices with disposable humidifying tube sets face increased cost and complexity due to the inclusion of heaters and sensors, which complicate the assembly and maintenance of the system.
Innovation Solution
A tube set design utilizing an inductive coil heater and non-contact temperature sensor, where the conductive member is heated wirelessly by electromagnetic induction, reducing the need for physical connections and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heaters and sensors are added to the disposable tube set to heat and humidify the insufflation gas, then the humidification performance is improved, but the cost and complexity of the tube set increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heater and sensor components are extracted from the disposable tube set and relocated to the reusable insufflation device. This allows the tube set to remain simple and disposable while the heating and sensing functions are maintained through the reusable device's inductive heating system and temperature sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable insufflation device is designed to work with multiple disposable tube sets through standardized interfaces. The inductive heating system and temperature control mechanisms serve multiple tube sets over time, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining humidification performance.
2Reliability
If heaters and sensors are added to the disposable tube set, then the humidification capability is improved, but the assembly and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the heater and sensor from the disposable tube set design, the manufacturing process for the tube set is simplified. The tube set becomes a simpler component that can be manufactured more easily and assembled faster, while the heating and sensing functions are provided by the reusable device.
3Power
If physical electrical contacts are used for the heater in the tube set, then heating function is achieved, but the risk of leaks and hermetic sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical electrical contact system is replaced with an inductive heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to heat a conductive member. This eliminates the need for physical electrical contacts and hermetic sealing, as the heating occurs through wireless energy transfer from the inductive coil in the reusable device to the conductive member in the disposable tube set.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conductive heating with firm contact against hot surface is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining contact during use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical contact-based conductive heating system is replaced with an inductive heating system. The inductive coil in the reusable device generates an electromagnetic field that induces currents in the conductive member of the tube set, heating it without requiring physical contact. This eliminates the operational difficulty of maintaining firm contact while preserving heating efficiency.
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 design reduces the cost and complexity of the disposable tube sets by allowing the heater and sensor to be reused, minimizing the likelihood of leaks and maintaining efficient heating to achieve desired humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive member coupled to the housing and configured to be heated by energy transferred from an inductive coil placed proximate to the housing
Implementation Method 2
The inductive coil heater is configured to heat the conductive member of the humidifying tube set
Implementation Method 3
heat the liquid within the reservoir of the humidifying tube set to create a relative humidity within the humidifying tube set of greater than 95%
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a tube set for use in an insufflation device and that includes a housing defining a reservoir, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The inlet port and the outlet port each are in fluid communication with the reservoir. The inlet port is configured to be coupled to a source of insufflation gas to produce a flow of insufflation gas through the reservoir, and the reservoir is configured to hold a volume of liquid. A conductive member is coupled to the housing and configured to be heated by energy transferred from an inductive coil placed proximate to the housing to heat the volume of liquid to increase a humidity of the insufflation gas flowing through the reservoir. The housing of the tube set is configured to be removably coupled to an insufflation device.