Non-Invasive Blood Flow Detection via Thermal Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting blood flow rate in subsurface vasculature over extended periods in various environments lack effectiveness in providing accurate and non-invasive measurements, limiting their ability to diagnose health conditions and monitor health states.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an energy source to heat fluid in subsurface vasculature, a downstream temperature sensor to measure temperature changes, and a controller to determine flow rate based on temperature measurements, allowing for non-invasive detection of blood flow rate through external body surface interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current methods are used for detecting blood flow rate, then measurements can be obtained, but accuracy and non-invasive capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive flow detection methods with a thermal field-based optical detection system. An energy source (such as a laser or LED) emits energy through the body surface to heat the blood in subsurface vasculature, and a temperature sensor detects the temperature changes non-invasively through the same or adjacent body surface location. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive procedures while enabling accurate blood flow rate measurement through thermal field interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal energy as an intermediary medium to detect blood flow rate. The energy source delivers thermal energy to the blood, and the temperature sensor detects the thermal changes caused by blood flow. This intermediary thermal field approach allows non-invasive measurement by mediating between the external detection device and the internal blood flow, avoiding direct contact with or intrusion into the vasculature.
2Loss of information
If blood flow rate is monitored over extended periods, then health insights are improved, but measurement effectiveness decreases in various environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-contained device that integrates the energy source, temperature sensor, and control circuitry into a single portable unit. The device autonomously performs the complete measurement sequence: emitting energy to heat the blood, detecting temperature changes, calculating blood flow rate, and storing health information. This self-service capability enables reliable long-term monitoring across various environments without requiring external laboratory equipment or complex infrastructure, thereby maintaining measurement effectiveness while preventing loss of health information over time.
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 and continuous monitoring of blood flow rate, facilitating early detection of adverse health conditions and providing insights into exercise regimens and health states without invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an energy source, wherein the energy source is configured to emit energy through an external body surface at a first location into a portion of subsurface vasculature such that fluid in the portion of subsurface vasculature is heated
Implementation Method 2
a downstream temperature sensor, wherein the downstream temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of a downstream region of tissue via the external body surface at a second location
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for measuring the flow of fluid (e.g., blood) in vasculature of a human by heating the fluid in a portion of the vasculature and detecting the temperature of fluid in and/or tissue proximate to a downstream portion of the vasculature. The blood is heated by emitting energy through an external body surface into the portion of vasculature. The temperature of the downstream portion of vasculature is detected by an infrared sensor receiving infrared light from the body and/or a temperature sensor in thermally conductive contact with the body. The flow of fluid in the portion of vasculature can be determined by determining a latency between a change in the detected temperature relative to a change in the emitted energy, by determining a difference between the detected temperature and a detected temperature of another portion of the body, or by some other method.