Catheter Pressure Sensor Injection Timing Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting the start and end of injection and injectate temperature during thermodilution measurements for cardiocirculatory parameter determination are not accurate and require additional sensors, making them complex and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A device with an injection channel for a blood vessel catheter that uses a pressure sensor to detect the central venous pressure, allowing for automated measurement of the injection process's start and end by sensing pressure thresholds, and includes a protection mechanism to prevent damage from high pressures, eliminating the need for additional sensors and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional sensors and devices are used to detect injection start/end and temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both the central venous pressure for hemodynamic monitoring and the injection start/end events by sensing pressure threshold changes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for injection detection, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the injection detection function with the existing pressure sensor used for central venous pressure monitoring. By merging these two functions into a single sensor, the system avoids adding extra sensors and devices, thus reducing overall device complexity while achieving accurate injection timing detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensor is exposed to high injection pressures, then injection process detection is improved, but sensor damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection threshold detectionVSAvoidhigh pressure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure injection process and the pressure sensor. This mechanism allows the sensor to detect pressure threshold changes for injection timing while protecting it from damage by high injection pressures, effectively mediating between the harmful high-pressure environment and the sensitive sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection mechanism is designed in advance to cushion or limit the maximum pressure reaching the sensor. By establishing this protective barrier beforehand, the sensor is pre-protected from potential high-pressure damage during injection processes, allowing accurate threshold detection without exposing the sensor to harmful pressure levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution provides a simplified and accurate method for determining the start and end of injection processes, protecting the pressure sensor from high pressures, and allows for simultaneous measurement of central venous pressure and injectate temperature, enhancing the precision of thermodilution measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor for sensing the central venous pressure of the patient wherein the pressure sensor is also adapted for sensing a threshold of pressure in the injection channel as instants of begin and end of an injection process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The temperature of the injected liquid is also measured with a resistor of the same type. This resistor is in thermal contact with the liquid within the injection channel.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement with thermistor: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

the injection channel further comprises a protection mechanism for the pressure sensor against damages by high pressure during the injection process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure protection mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP1776921B1Device for injectate duration measurement and temperature measurement
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 IPRM INTPROP RIGHTS MANAGEMENT AG
  • EP1776921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1776921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1776921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to an injection channel for a blood vessel catheter (1) for injecting an injectate fluid into a blood vessel of a patient for carrying out thermodilution orother dilution measurements in order to determine hemodynamic parameters of the patient, the injection channel comprising a pressure sensor (4) for sensing the central venous pressure of the patient wherein the pressure sensor (4) is also adapted for sensing a threshold of pressure in the injection channel as instants of begin and end of an injection process.