Breath-Based Anesthetic Monitoring via Transfer Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring intravenous anesthetic drug concentrations in plasma are invasive, time-consuming, and prone to under-dosing or over-dosing due to individual patient variability, as they rely on pharmacokinetic models that do not account for physical differences.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the collection of a breath sample from patients, exposure to sensors to detect anesthetic drug components, and determination of plasma concentration using a transfer function, allowing for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of anesthetic drug levels in plasma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct measurement of anesthetic drug concentration in plasma is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive sampling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthetic drug concentration measurementVSAvoidbreath sampling procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses exhaled breath as an intermediary substance to indirectly measure plasma anesthetic drug concentration. The breath sample serves as a mediator that contains volatile anesthetic components which can be detected without invasive plasma sampling, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive plasma sampling system with a non-invasive breath analysis system. By substituting the direct plasma extraction mechanism with breath collection and analysis, the system achieves comparable measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If direct plasma measurement is used, then reliability of anesthetic monitoring is improved, but loss of time increases due to invasive sampling procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthetic monitoring accuracyVSAvoidsampling and analysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring of anesthetic drug concentration through sequential breath sampling. Unlike discrete invasive plasma draws, the breath analysis system can continuously or frequently sample exhaled breath, providing ongoing reliable data without repeated interruptions to the anesthesia procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

By using breath as an intermediary that continuously reflects plasma drug levels, the system maintains reliable monitoring information without the time loss associated with repeated invasive plasma sampling. The breath sample acts as a real-time proxy for plasma concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If pharmacokinetic models are used for dose prediction, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to account for individual patient variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring systemVSAvoidanesthetic drug concentration determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by directly measuring actual anesthetic drug concentration in breath samples and using this real data to adjust and refine dose predictions. This feedback loop accounts for individual patient variability in drug metabolism and distribution, improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through the use of breath analysis rather than complex plasma sampling infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach provides precise and continuous monitoring of anesthetic drug concentrations, reducing the risk of under-dosing or over-dosing and improving anesthesia quality by accurately reflecting plasma levels through breath analysis.

Implementation Method 1

detecting one or more components of the anesthetic drug in the breath sample, measuring a concentration of at least one of the components of the anesthetic drug in the breath sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor concentration detection: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS9750430B2Methods of intravenous drug monitoring

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A method of monitoring a concentration of an anesthetic drug using a patient's breath is provided. The method comprises forming a breath sample using the patient's breath; exposing one or more sensors to the breath sample; detecting one or more components of the anesthetic drug in the breath sample; measuring a concentration of at least one of the components of the anesthetic drug in the breath sample; and determining a concentration of the component in a plasma of the patient using a transfer function and the concentration of the component in the breath sample.