Battery-less Biological Sensor with Microfluidic Substance Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological sensors lack efficient methods for managing data and delivering substances in response to detected biological conditions, particularly in ensuring accurate dosage and adherence to dosage policies, while also facing challenges in decommissioning and preventing misuse.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system that includes biological sensors capable of detecting input signals not associated with biological measurements, determining the need for substance delivery, and initiating delivery based on predefined policies, along with a method for decommissioning sensors to prevent reuse and misuse, utilizing a microfluidic system and processor-driven operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If biological sensors are made battery-less and configured to deliver dosages of controlled substances, then the sensors can be implanted and autonomously deliver substances based on detected conditions, but the device complexity increases due to integration of microfluidic systems and dosage control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated sensor device: biological sensing, RF energy harvesting for power, microfluidic substance delivery, and wireless communication. This merging allows the sensor to autonomously detect conditions, receive power wirelessly, and deliver controlled substances without external batteries or manual intervention, directly resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors biological parameters (temperature, respiration, pulse rate, blood pressure), receives RF signals for both power and data transmission, and delivers controlled substances based on detected conditions. This multi-functionality enables autonomous operation while managing the complexity through unified design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sensor system includes integrated microfluidic systems for substance delivery, then dosage precision is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses programmable control parameters to adjust substance dosage delivery based on detected biological conditions. By changing operational parameters through software control rather than requiring complex mechanical precision, the system achieves accurate dosage delivery while simplifying manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If the system monitors multiple biological conditions and triggers substance delivery based on detected conditions, then the reliability of treatment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors biological parameters (temperature, respiration, pulse rate, blood pressure), receives RF signals for both power and data transmission, and delivers controlled substances based on detected conditions. This multi-functionality enables autonomous operation while managing the complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors biological conditions and uses this feedback to trigger appropriate substance delivery. The RF signal reception and processing provide real-time control feedback, enabling reliable treatment response while managing system complexity through integrated architecture.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the sensor is configured to be battery-less and use RF signals for power, then the sensor can be implanted with longer duration, but the use of energy from RF signals requires precise control and management
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device continuously monitors biological parameters and maintains readiness for substance delivery without interruption. The RF energy harvesting continues throughout the implantation period, providing sustained power for operations including substance delivery mechanisms, enabling long-duration operation while managing energy through continuous RF signal reception.
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 precise and policy-compliant delivery of substances and effective management of sensor data, improving biological condition monitoring and preventing sensor misuse through controlled decommissioning processes.
Implementation Method 1
battery-less sensors can utilize one or more antennas to receive radio frequency signals, and which can be converted to energy that powers components of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting, by a substance delivery system coupled to a body part of an individual, an input signal not associated with a biological measurement of the individual, determining from the input signal, by the substance delivery system, whether delivering a dosage of a substance stored in the substance delivery system is needed and conforms to a dosage policy, and responsive to determining from the input signal that delivery of the dosage of the substance is needed and conforms to the dosage policy, initiating, by the substance delivery system, delivery of the dosage of the substance to the body part of the individual. Other embodiments are disclosed.