City Technology medical sensors live 50 per cent longer

Citation

(1998), "City Technology medical sensors live 50 per cent longer", Sensor Review, Vol. 18 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1998.08718daf.007

City Technology medical sensors live 50 per cent longer

City Technology medical sensors live 50 per cent longer

Keywords Gas, Sensors

City Technology ­ world leaders in gas detection ­ have launched the six-strong range of MOX oxygen sensors for medical applications with a life of 18 months, 50 per cent longer than any other available worldwide (see Plate 4 and Figure 1).

Research scientists within City's 50-strong R&D team explored the two principal factors that affect sensor life: the gaseous context in which they work and the structure/design of the sensor casing.

Oxygen sensors which are used for measuring oxygen received by patients tend to be concentrated in three "critical" environments: operating theatres, critical care departments and neonatal critical care areas. Here, sensor reliability is crucial for patient well-being, care delivery and keeping downtime of care facilities to a minimum.

Plate 4 The new MOX range of oxygen sensors from City Technology Limited of Portsmouth, UK, have a life of 18 months, 50 per cent longer than any other worldwide

Sensor failure is most common in operating theatre environments, where they measure oxygen received by patients under anaesthesia. Anaesthesia gases cause pressure to build up inside the sensor, which causes leakage of the electrolyte around the seals, and subsequent sensor failure.

City have solved the problem by developing an electrode pressure relieving system, to stabilise pressure within the sensor.

Jonathan Gilby, associate director, medical applications says: "Our success in developing this solution is mainly due to our being able to tap into the 20 years' experience City has in manufacturing sensors for the safety market. The wealth of data on stability we have accumulated over the years has been invaluable to our project teams here". These new sensors do not drift or lose output over time.

Figure 1 City Technology medical sensors live 50 per cent longer

City's factory in Portsmouth, UK, which manufactures a total of over one million sensors a year, is divided into specialised production areas. The MOX sensors production processes are performed by a dedicated, ten-man production team and incorporate automatic checks such that each stage cannot be carried out unless the previous stage was 100 per cent correct.

"It is by eradicating risk of error during production, and scrupulously testing every sensor prior to dispatch, that we have achieved a returns rate of 0.04 per cent. I would challenge any manufacturer worldwide to beat that", says Gilby.

With a highly competitive pricing structure and the ability and willingness to co-develop customised products, City are geared up for a major surge in demand from gas detection OEMs in the coming months.

Kevin Breen, City's managing director observes: "It is without doubt our ongoing commitment to R&D which keeps us at the forefront of the market, and this cross-fertilisation of expertise within City clearly gives us the edge".

For further information please contact Jonathan Gilby, associate director, medical applications. Tel: +44 (0)1705 325511.