The German Fritz Stephan GmbH is a prominent global developer and manufacturer of breathing equipment and anesthetic systems, whose EVE mobile respiratory device has established a new technological standard.
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Image Credit: First Sensor
From emergency conveyance (scene of accident) to intensive care, EVE is approved for the entire chain, meaning that patients need no longer be connected to various respiratory devices while being moved to the hospital and surgical theater.
The Challenge
The EVE mobile respiratory apparatus was in need of a conveniently-sized sensor solution that would not react to ambient conditions and could measure even very small flows with great precision.
The Solution
Usually, a conventional mass flow sensor would have been engaged to meet the needs of the application, however, First Sensor instead showed the development team the contemporary design of the differential pressure sensors of the LDE/LME series.
The LDE/LME series relies on MEMS sensor technology, and within the sensor’s 2 mm2 semiconductor chip, an extremely small flow channel is built in. Within this micro flow channel, a heating component is situated between a pair of temperature sensitive resistors, ensuring that the tiniest of gas flows modifies the temperature profile, creating a voltage signal relational to the mass flow.
The Success and the Benefits
Some of the key advantages of the LDE/LME differential pressure sensors within this mobile application are that they are compact, very accurate, and are not affected by ambient conditions. With the great sensitivity of the LDE/LME sensors, EVE can measure to levels of precision that allow it to reliably identify the respiratory flows of premature and newborn babies, despite their frequently tiny rates.
The LDE/LME sensors’ counterpoise is determined by measurement technology. This means that, unlike with typical sensors, the signal need not be zeroed every few seconds to calibrate. As well as offering accurate and enduring stability, this means that Fritz Stephan could also lower the financial impact of production by eliminating the requirement for calibration and zeroing components, including multiple valves.
First Sensor’s certification to ISO 13485 standards for medical goods supports clients such as Fritz Stephan in gaining certification for their own devices.
How was the Cooperation?
From a supply chain point of view, we depend on partners who tune in to our market. Most medical technology products are sold in small to moderate quantities, but for a very long period. Even small changes in design and components result in elaborate approval processes. First Sensor also supplies smaller quantities in line with requirements, and provides long-term availability for the installed sensors.
As soon as our developers have specified the product idea and the requirements for the sensor system, we contact our development partner First Sensor. Then we discuss as a team how we can meet these requirements and which sensors we should use. Of course it helps if the partner company and their experts know our processes and requirements, have professional experience and really use their own mind. This way we quickly find out if a standard sensor is adequate, or if adjustments or even a new development are required.
Jens Amberg, Project Manager Development, Fritz Stephan GmbH, Germany.
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Image Credit: First Sensor
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by First Sensor AG.
For more information on this source, please visit First Sensor AG.