Implantable Animal Temperature Sensor with Wireless Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring animal body temperature are time-consuming and inaccurate, as they often require individual measurement with thermometers or surface temperature estimation, failing to provide core body temperature readings due to animal movement and limited accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system with an implant device that continuously measures body temperature using battery power and sends stored data wirelessly to an external device via NFC, BLE, or ULP WiFi, minimizing battery consumption and enabling accurate core temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a thermometer is used to measure animal body temperature individually, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time and operational difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermometer-based measurement system with a wireless implantable sensor system that automatically measures and transmits temperature data. The implant device includes a temperature sensor, microcontroller, and wireless communication module that continuously monitor body temperature and transmit data to external devices without mechanical contact, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating time-consuming manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant device performs self-service by automatically measuring body temperature, storing data locally, and transmitting it wirelessly without requiring manual intervention. The device autonomously manages power consumption by entering low-power modes between measurements and only activating transmission when data needs to be sent, eliminating the need for continuous human operation while maintaining accurate temperature monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If image capturing is used to estimate animal body temperature, then operational ease is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates as it only measures surface temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where a miniature temperature sensor is implanted inside the animal's body, allowing core temperature measurement from within. The sensor is housed in a biocompatible capsule that is inserted into subcutaneous tissue or specific organs, enabling direct contact with internal body environments while remaining externally accessible for wireless data transmission, thus achieving both ease of operation and core temperature accuracy.
3Duration of action of moving object
If an implant device continuously measures and stores body temperature data using battery power, then measurement continuity is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device implements periodic action by measuring temperature at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, storing measurements in local memory, and transmitting data in periodic batches when powered by the external charging device. The microcontroller manages power by entering sleep modes between measurement cycles and only activating the radio transmitter when data transmission is required, significantly reducing average power consumption while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-storing temperature measurements in local memory before external power is available. When the external charging device powers the implant, the pre-collected data is immediately transmitted without requiring continuous power during storage, allowing the device to accumulate measurements during low-power states and clear the buffer efficiently when power is supplied.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If wireless power transmission is used to charge the implant device, then device life is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external charging device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a wireless power transmitter and as a data reception and processing unit. The same external device that charges the implant also receives, stores, and analyzes temperature data, eliminating the need for separate charging infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity despite the added wireless power transmission capability.
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
Enables continuous, accurate measurement of animal body temperature within the body while reducing battery power consumption and extending device life through wireless power charging and data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor, wherein the controller periodically measures the animal's body temperature by the temperature sensor by using the battery's power
Implementation Method 2
the implant device may receive the wireless power using near field communication (NFC) and send the continuous body temperature information to the external device via the NFC
Implementation Method 3
the implant device may include Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or ultra low power (ULP) WiFi, operate under control of a micro controller unit (MCU) included in the BLE or ULP WiFi, and send the continuous body temperature information to the external device via an antenna connected to the BLE or the ULP WiFi
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for continuously measuring animal body temperature are disclosed. The system includes: an external device for transmitting wireless power into an animal's body from outside the animal's body; and an implant device inserted into the animal's body, that periodically measures the animal's body temperature by a temperature sensor by using battery power and stores continuous body temperature information in storage, and that, when wireless power is received from the external device, sends the continuous body temperature information stored in the storage to the external device by using the received wireless power.