Biodegradable Waveguides for Continuous Tissue Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical monitoring devices require invasive procedures for sensor removal and may expose sensitive tissues to infection or blood loss when bandages are removed, and they are not suitable for continuous monitoring in situations where conventional equipment is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Integration of biodegradable waveguides into medical devices and bandages that allow for continuous monitoring of patient tissues without the need for sensor removal, using optical fibers formed from large fibrous materials or hydrogels that degrade over time, enabling simultaneous tissue protection and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensors are used for continuous monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but invasive procedures and tissue exposure to infection risk occur during sensor removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable waveguides made from materials such as poly(lactic acid), poly(hydroxyalkanoates), chitosan, or cellulose that are designed to degrade and be absorbed by the body over time. These waveguides eliminate the need for surgical removal, thereby preventing tissue exposure to infection risk while maintaining continuous monitoring capability throughout the degradation period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (light transmission, reflection, or scattering) through the biodegradable waveguides to detect physiological characteristics. The waveguides maintain optical integrity during their service life and then gradually degrade, transitioning from an active monitoring state to an inactive state, thereby eliminating removal procedures
2Measurement precision
If bandages are removed to access sensing equipment, then sensing capability is improved, but tissue protection is compromised and blood loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function with the protective bandage by integrating biodegradable waveguides directly into the bandage structure. This combination allows the bandage to simultaneously provide mechanical protection and enable optical sensing without requiring removal, thereby maintaining both tissue protection and sensing capability throughout the healing period
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable waveguides are designed to remain embedded in the bandage until they naturally degrade and are absorbed by the body. This eliminates the need to remove the bandage for sensor access, maintaining continuous tissue protection while enabling ongoing sensing through the intact bandage structure
3Measurement precision
If conventional monitoring equipment is used, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but availability is limited in emergency or resource-constrained settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, biodegradable waveguide materials that can be manufactured at low cost and disposed of after use. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable monitoring equipment, thereby improving accessibility and availability in emergency or resource-constrained settings while maintaining adequate monitoring accuracy through optical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable waveguides are designed to be self-contained and self-degrading, eliminating the need for external power sources, complex electronics, or manual removal procedures. This self-service capability simplifies the system for emergency use where conventional monitoring equipment may be unavailable, allowing deployment in remote or resource-limited environments
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 monitoring of physiological parameters without the need for invasive procedures and protects sensitive tissues, while being suitable for use in both clinical and non-clinical settings, including emergency responses where conventional monitoring systems are unavailable.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguides may be formed from large fibrous materials or hydrogels that degrade over time
Implementation Method 2
Integration of biodegradable waveguides into medical devices and bandages that allow for continuous monitoring of patient tissues without the need for sensor removal, using optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Biodegradable waveguides and their uses with devices, such as medical devices, are described. In one embodiment, an optically transmissive fibrous structure comprising biodegradable fiber waveguides may be disposed on a surface of a bandage. The bandage in combination with the optically transmissive fibrous structure may allow for simultaneously monitoring and covering an injured area of a patient. In one embodiment, the fiber waveguides may be provided as multi-channel/multi-core biodegradable fiber waveguides for transmitting light to and from a patient tissue. In some implementations, the bandage may include hydrogel-based biodegradable fiber waveguides that may deliver therapeutics to an injured patient area.