Methods and system for detecting proper connection of a connector in a gas sampling line
Inventors
Itzhak, Gal • Cohen, Yosef Hay • Linder, Eran • Turak, Avraham
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11660020-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A gas analyzing module includes a first connector, which includes a connection detection mechanism (CDM), and is connectable to a gas sampling line via a second connector. The gas analyzing module also includes a pump, a pressure sensor and a controller. The controller controls operation of the pump and receives a signal from the CDM. When the pump is on/active, the controller measures the CDM output signal, and if the CDM output signal indicates misconnection between the first connector and the second connector, the controller switches the pump off only if a pressure measured in the gas sampling line corroborates the CDM's misconnection indication, or, if the measured pressure refutes the CDM's misconnection indication, the controller maintains the pump's on state. The gas analyzing module may be a capnography module configured for capnography. Also provided is a gas analyzing system that includes the gas analyzing module and a gas analyzer.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a capnograph system and a gas analyzing system that include a connector-based gas sampling interface configured to receive CO2 samples from a gas sampling line via a gas sampling line connector. The capnograph connector includes a light source and a light sensor, and the system draws samples using a pump for analysis while sensing pressure in the gas sampling line with a pressure sensor. A controller controls the pump and light source and measures intensity of light sensed by the light sensor.
When the pump is on or active, the controller samples light while switching the light source on and off. When the light samples indicate misconnection between the capnograph connector and the gas sampling line connector, the controller corroborates or refutes the misconnection indication using pressure measured in the gas sampling line. The controller switches the pump off only when the measured pressure corroborates the light-samples misconnection indication and maintains the pump in the on state when the measured pressure refutes the light-samples misconnection indication.
The described logic includes a corroboration phase using ambient pressure and tube pressure with a pressure difference threshold, and the light-based connection indication is further refined using calculated light intensity peak-to-peak values and a peak-to-peak threshold. Repeated light-based misconnection or connection decisions are maintained over time until monitoring ends.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00010, clm-00013, clm-00014, and clm-00021. Across these claims, the core inventive features cover connector-based light sensing with pump control, combined with pressure sensor corroboration to determine whether to switch the pump off or keep it on when misconnection is indicated by light samples or a connection detection mechanism (CDM).
Pressure corroboration for pump control based on light misconnection indication
When light samples indicate misconnection between the capnograph connector and the gas sampling line connector: switch the pump off when a pressure measured in the gas sampling line corroborates the light samples misconnection indication; and maintain the pump in the on state if the measured pressure refutes the light samples misconnection indication.
Connector light sampling with pump on or active alternation between on and off
When the pump is on or active, sample light while switching the light source on and off; and measure intensity of light sensed by the light sensor.
CO2 analyzing capnograph system with integrated analyzer and module
A capnograph system comprising a CO2 analyzer and a capnograph module comprising a capnograph connector with a light source and a light sensor, a pump configured to draw CO2 samples for analysis, a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure in the gas sampling line, and a controller configured to control operation of the pump and light source and to measure intensity of light sensed by the light sensor, wherein the controller performs the light-sampling and pressure-corroborated pump-off and pump-on logic.
Light-based misconnection determination with pressure-confirmed pump switching
A method comprising providing a capnograph connector with a light source and a light sensor, providing a pump to draw CO2 samples, and providing a controller to control the pump and light source and measure intensity of light sensed by the light sensor, further comprising: when the pump is on or active, sampling light while switching the light source on and off; and when light samples indicate misconnection between the capnograph connector and the gas sampling line connector, switching the CO2 pump off when a pressure measured in the gas sampling line corroborates the light samples misconnection indication, or maintaining the CO2 pump in the on state when the measured pressure refutes the light samples misconnection indication.
Connection detection mechanism corroborated or refuted by pressure for pump control
A gas analyzing module comprising a connection detection mechanism configured to detect connection of the gas connector and the gas sampling line connector, a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure in the gas sampling line, a pump configured to draw gas samples via the gas connector for analysis, and a controller configured to determine, based on a signal output by the connection detection mechanism, connection or misconnection of the gas connector and the gas sampling line connector, wherein the controller is configured to switch the pump off when a pressure measured in the gas sampling line corroborates the misconnection indication, and maintain the pump in the on state if the measured pressure refutes the misconnection indication.
Across the independent claims, the common inventive concept is controlling pump state in response to light-based connector misconnection indications, via light samples or a connection detection mechanism, using pressure measured in the gas sampling line as corroboration or refutation. The controller samples light with the light source switched on and off while the pump is on or active, and then either switches the pump off when pressure corroborates misconnection or keeps the pump on when pressure refutes misconnection.
Stated Advantages
Improves reliability of disconnection decisions by corroborating light-based misconnection indication with gas sampling line pressure, and avoiding unreliable light-only disconnection decisions when the pump is already on or active.
Documented Applications
Capnography and CO2 monitoring in a capnograph system for detecting proper versus misconnection between a capnograph connector and a gas sampling line connector while drawing CO2 samples for analysis.
Gas analyzing system operation using a gas connector and light source/light sensor connection detection, with pressure corroboration to control pump operation.
Interested in licensing this patent?