Balloon Cathode with Fine Protrusions for In Vivo Impedance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological imaging technologies, such as MRI and ultrasound, have low resolution and cannot accurately determine the local location or material properties of lesions within the body, making it difficult to diagnose conditions like arteriosclerosis non-invasively.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive apparatus with a balloon and electrodes that can be inserted into the body, featuring fine protrusions to detect electrical signals from biological tissues, allowing for precise impedance measurements and electrochemical analysis without causing harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI or ultrasound equipment is used to visually observe the inside of the human body, then biological information can be acquired, but the image resolution is low and local lesion information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement function into segments: a balloon catheter for positioning and expansion, multiple electrodes for signal detection, and a processing unit for analysis. This segmentation allows high-resolution local measurement without requiring complex whole-body imaging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrodes as intermediary elements that directly contact the target tissue through the expanded balloon. These electrodes serve as mediators between the measurement system and the biological tissue, enabling precise electrical signal detection for high-resolution imaging
2Measurement precision
If a balloon is expanded inside a blood vessel to make contact with the vessel wall, then measurement precision improves, but the risk of causing harm to the living body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon serves as a cushioning element that distributes contact pressure evenly across the blood vessel wall. By expanding the balloon before measurement, the force is distributed over a larger area, preventing localized damage while ensuring sufficient contact for accurate measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon is implemented as a flexible thin-walled structure that can conform to the blood vessel geometry. This flexible shell design allows gentle expansion that adapts to the vessel shape without causing mechanical damage, while maintaining stable contact for measurement
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If fine protrusions are added to electrodes to invade the living body for oxidation and reduction reactions, then electrochemical detection capability improves, but the harmful effects on the living body increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fine protrusions are localized only at the contact points between electrodes and tissue, rather than the entire electrode surface. This local quality modification enables electrochemical reactions at specific measurement points while minimizing overall tissue invasion and damage
Solution Approach 2:
The fine protrusions create a porous or micro-structured surface on the electrodes that increases surface area for electrochemical reactions. This porous structure enhances detection capability while the small scale of protrusions reduces mechanical damage to surrounding tissue
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 accurate detection of lipid distribution, calcification, and vulnerable plaque formation within blood vessels, improving diagnostic capabilities and preventing potential vascular events.
Implementation Method 1
the working electrode and the counter electrode may detect any one or more of a current and a voltage generated by oxidation and reduction reactions which occur in the living body coming into contact with the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
The fine protrusions may include a material which provides an electrical signal corresponding to deformation caused by an external force
Implementation Method 3
The fine protrusions may include a swelling material which absorbs a biological substance at a location where the apparatus is present
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus for acquiring biological data and an apparatus for processing biological data. The apparatus for being inserted into a living body and acquiring biological information includes a balloon inserted into the living body to expand or contract, one or more electrodes disposed on a surface of the balloon, and one or more fine protrusions disposed on surfaces of the electrodes to come into contact with the living body.