BR-122026002394-A2 - Removable gas sensor module, gas sensor assembly, device and method for providing a gas sensor module.

Abstract

A removable gas sensor module is supplied to a therapeutic gas dispensing device. The gas sensor module includes a sample chamber that receives a sample gas from the therapeutic gas dispensing device. A gas sensing unit includes a plurality of operable sensors to measure at least one property of the sample gas. The sensors include two or more gas sensing sensors, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or a combination thereof. The gas sensor module is self-contained within the therapeutic gas dispensing device and can be exchanged for another gas sensor module.

Inventors

• Jaron Acker
• PETER JAMES CLARK
• CEDRIC ASSAMBO
• Michael McAtamney
• John Klaus
• Robin Roehl

Assignees

• Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Unlimited Company

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20191203

Priority Date

20181203

Claims (20)

1. 1. Removable gas sensor module for a therapeutic gas dispensing device, characterized in that it comprises: an operable sample chamber for receiving a sample gas from the therapeutic gas dispensing device; a gas detection unit comprising a plurality of operable sensors to measure at least one property of the sample gas, wherein the plurality of sensors includes two or more of a gas detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or a combination thereof, wherein the gas sensor module is self-contained within the therapeutic gas dispensing device and can be exchanged for another gas sensor module, wherein the plurality of sensors is pre-calibrated and stable in storage in an uninstalled configuration for at least 1 month, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a NO sensor and a NO2 sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors is operable to receive an electrical potential from a voltage source when the gas sensor module is not installed in the therapeutic gas dispensing device, and wherein the electrical potential maintains the pre-calibration of the plurality of sensors when the gas sensor module is not installed in the therapeutic gas dispensing device.
2. 2. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that replacing the gas sensor module results in less than 5 minutes of downtime for measuring at least one property of the sample gas.
3. 3. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that replacing the gas sensor module results in no downtime in the delivery of therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas delivery device.
4. 4. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas detection sensor is one or more of a NO sensor, a NO2 sensor, an O2 sensor, or combinations thereof.
5. 5. Gas sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas detection unit comprises at least two gas detection sensors.
6. 6. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas detection unit comprises two or more different sensors.
7. 7. Gas sensor module, according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas detection unit comprises one or more gas detection sensors and a humidity sensor.
8. 8. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one property of the sample gas is one or more of a NO concentration, a NO2 concentration, an O2 concentration, humidity, temperature, or a combination thereof.
9. 9. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an operable detection circuit for detecting and reporting at least one property of the sample gas to a gas analyzer controller in the therapeutic gas delivery device.
10. 10. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the therapeutic gas dispensing device is continuously operable when the gas sensor module is replaced.
11. 11. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample chamber comprises an inner housing and an outer housing.
12. 12. Gas sensor module, according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas detection unit is operable to electronically store or send to the therapeutic gas dispensing device serial numbers, calibration data and/or usage information of the gas sensor module.
13. 13. Gas sensor module, according to claim 13, characterized in that the gas sensor module is stable in storage for at least 3 months.
14. 14. Gas sensor assembly, characterized in that it comprises: the gas sensor module, as defined in claim 1; an internal housing of the assembly operable to receive the gas sensor module in a removable manner; and a gas analyzer unit comprising: a sample tube fluidically connected to the gas distribution device and the gas sensor module operable to receive the sample gas; and a pump connected to the gas sensor module through the sample tube, wherein the pump is operable to pump the sample gas through the gas sensor module.
15. 15. Gas sensor assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the gas analyzer unit further comprises a gas analyzer controller.
16. 16. Gas sensor assembly, according to claim 14, characterized in that the gas analyzer unit further comprises a main housing of the assembly operable to receive the internal housing of the assembly, wherein the main housing of the assembly is inside the therapeutic gas distribution device.
17. 17. Gas sensor assembly, according to claim 14, characterized in that at least part of the sample tube is a Nafion tube.
18. 18. Apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: a voltage source; and a gas sensor module comprising: an operable sample chamber for receiving a sample gas from the therapeutic gas delivery device; a gas detection unit comprising a plurality of operable sensors for measuring at least one property of the sample gas, wherein the plurality of sensors includes two or more of a gas detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or a combination thereof, wherein the gas sensor module is self-contained within the therapeutic gas dispensing device and can be exchanged for another gas sensor module, wherein the plurality of sensors is pre-calibrated and stable in an uninstalled configuration for at least 1 month, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a NO sensor and a NO2 sensor, wherein the voltage source provides an electrical potential across the plurality of sensors in the gas detection unit to maintain the calibration of the plurality of sensors when the gas sensor module is in an uninstalled configuration.
19. 19. Apparatus, according to claim 18, characterized in that the voltage source is a battery or a power transformer.
20. 20. Apparatus, according to claim 18, characterized in that the voltage source ceases to supply electrical potential through the plurality of sensors when the gas sensor module is installed inside the therapeutic gas dispensing device.

Description

FIELD [0001] This disclosure generally relates to gas sensor modules. In one example, this disclosure relates to gas sensor modules for therapeutic gas delivery devices. FUNDAMENTALS [0002] Conventionally, a gas detection system needs to be calibrated by the user at intervals detailed in the user manual. For example, high-throughput calibration of a gas sampling system may be performed monthly and may require calibration gas supplies to be available at the facility, as well as a change in sampling line connections. During high-throughput calibration of the gas sampling system and the change of sampling line connections, a gas detection system cannot sample gas. Furthermore, incorrect connection of the calibration tubing kit may result in incorrect readings or damage to the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0003] Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, in which: [0004] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an exemplary gas sensor assembly according to the present disclosure; [0005] FIG. 1B is a joint view of the gas sensor in FIG. 1A; [0006] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of an exemplary gas sensor module; [0007] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of an exemplary gas sensor module; [0008] FIG. 2C is a joint view of the gas sensor module of FIG. 2B with the outer housing and the inner housing removed; [0009] FIG. 3A is a detailed exploded view of an exemplary gas sensor assembly; [0010] FIG. 3B is a detailed exploded view of an exemplary gas sensor assembly; and [0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus including a voltage source electrically coupled to a gas sensor module to maintain the calibration stability of the gas sensor module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Furthermore, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described in this document. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the examples described in this document can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the relevant related feature being described. Furthermore, the description will not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described in this document. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. [0013] Several definitions that apply throughout the preceding disclosure will now be presented. The term "coupled" is defined as connected, either directly or indirectly, through intervening components and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection may be such that the objects are permanently connected or loosely connected. The term "substantially" is defined as being essentially in conformity with a given dimension, shape, or other word that is "substantially" modified, so that the component need not be exact. For example, "substantially cylindrical" means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" mean to include, but are not necessarily limited to, the things described. The term "hot swap," "hot exchanged," or "hot replaceable" is defined to mean that a sensor is removed and a new calibrated sensor can be replaced so that the downtime of the therapeutic gas delivery device for the replacement sensor to achieve operational readiness is less than approximately 5 minutes. For example, a gas sensor module can be hot swapped with a calibrated gas sensor module, and the downtime of the therapeutic gas delivery device is approximately 3 minutes. As used in this document, "swap" may include "hot swap" or any corresponding variations. [0014] This document discloses a removable gas sensor module with a plurality of sensors for measuring at least one property of a sample gas in a therapeutic gas delivery device. The sample gas may be a sample of the therapeutic gas being delivered to a patient by the therapeutic gas delivery device. The gas sensor module is self-contained within the therapeutic gas delivery device, thus facilitating its replacement in the field in a manner that can be considered “Plug and Play” and/or capable of hot-swapping. In some examples, the gas sensor module is self-contained within a gas sensor assembly, which is further contained within the therapeutic gas delivery device. The gas sensor module may be pre-calibrated so that it is ready for use upon installation in the gas sensor assembly/therape