Catheter-Integrated Conductivity Sensor for Real-Time Urine Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) are inadequate as they rely on insensitive and non-specific indicators, such as urine output and single-point measurements of urinary electrolytes, which fail to provide timely and meaningful signals for kidney function changes.
Innovation Solution
A system integrated with a catheter that includes conductivity sensors to continuously monitor urine conductivity, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis, which serves as a proxy for urinary electrolyte content, enabling timely detection of kidney function changes and trends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional urine output measurement and single-point electrolyte measurement are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision and reliability of kidney function assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual collection and laboratory analysis of urine samples with an automated optical sensing system. The sensor device optically detects urinary electrolyte concentrations directly from urine flow through the catheter, eliminating the need for manual sampling, transport, and lab processing. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with optical detection enables continuous real-time monitoring while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of urinary electrolyte concentrations by positioning the sensor device directly in the urine flow path within the catheter. Unlike single-point measurements, the sensor continuously detects electrolyte levels as urine flows past it, providing an ongoing stream of data that enables real-time assessment of kidney function and early detection of acute kidney injury.
2Loss of time
If single-point urine electrolyte measurement is performed, then loss of time in obtaining results is minimized for that single measurement, but loss of time in detecting kidney function changes deteriorates due to inability to monitor trends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of urinary electrolyte concentrations by positioning the sensor device directly in the urine flow path within the catheter. Unlike single-point measurements, the sensor continuously detects electrolyte levels as urine flows past it, providing an ongoing stream of data that enables real-time assessment of kidney function and early detection of acute kidney injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where continuous sensor measurements are transmitted to a processing system that analyzes trends in urinary electrolyte concentrations. The system provides real-time feedback to clinicians about changes in kidney function, enabling timely intervention. The feedback mechanism includes both continuous data streaming and alert systems that notify practitioners of significant changes.
3Measurement precision
If serial measurement of urine electrolytes is implemented, then measurement precision of kidney function assessment is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to substantial practical barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the sensor device automatically performs measurements without requiring manual intervention. The sensor continuously detects urinary electrolyte concentrations as urine flows through the catheter, and the integrated processing system automatically analyzes the data and generates reports. This eliminates the need for clinicians to manually collect samples at multiple time points and perform repetitive laboratory analyses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual collection and laboratory analysis of urine samples with an automated optical sensing system. The sensor device optically detects urinary electrolyte concentrations directly from urine flow through the catheter, eliminating the need for manual sampling, transport, and lab processing. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with optical detection enables continuous real-time monitoring while maintaining measurement precision.
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 real-time assessment of kidney function, providing practitioners with timely and meaningful signals for early detection and prevention of AKI, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more sensors can include a conductivity sensor configured to collect conductivity data describing a dissolved ion concentration of urine
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are devices and methods for continuous real time monitoring of kidney function. In various embodiments, a urine analysis device collects sensor data describing one or more properties of urine. The urine analysis device may be integrated with a catheter system to continuously generate sensor data in real time as the urine is collected by the catheter system. Sensor data collected by the urine analysis device may be analyzed by physicians to detect changes in a patients kidney function. If necessary, based on the sensor data, physicians may perform an intervention to improve a patients kidney function.