Conductive Elastomer Blood Flow Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques lack a simple, self-contained, and compact method for precise monitoring of arterial function during surgical operations and post-operative wound compression, leading to increased risks of arterial occlusion and stenosis.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive plethysmographic equipment using conductive elastomers with variable resistance, which are arranged around the body element to capture length variations and generate signals representing blood flows and respiratory cycles, processed to extract relevant parameters in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plethysmography techniques are used, then simplicity and practicality are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/optical plethysmography sensors with an electrical field-based sensing system. Electrical contacts detect impedance changes in body tissue caused by blood flow variations, substituting mechanical deformation or optical absorption methods with electrical measurement, thereby improving precision while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures blood flow by detecting changes in electrical impedance parameters of body tissue. By monitoring impedance variations at different frequencies and contact points, the system extracts blood flow information without complex mechanical or optical setups, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision
2Ease of operation
If tensiometer is used, then ease of use is improved, but measurement precision and duration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manometer-based tensiometer with an electrical impedance sensing system. Multiple electrical contacts around the body element detect impedance changes continuously, providing both ease of use and improved precision and duration compared to the approximate, short-duration measurements of traditional tensiometers
3Reliability
If electrocardiography is used, then cardiac activity monitoring is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential blood flow monitoring function from complex multi-electrode electrocardiography systems. By using a simplified arrangement of electrical contacts that specifically measure impedance changes related to blood volume, the system achieves reliable cardiac activity monitoring without the complexity of full ECG equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical impedance sensing system serves multiple functions: monitoring blood flow, detecting respiratory movements, and assessing tissue perfusion, all with a single device configuration. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate specialized equipment, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability
4Measurement precision
If Doppler echography is used, then blood flow analysis is improved, but ease of operation and duration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-contained monitoring system where the electrical contacts and signal processing are integrated into a single portable device. The system automatically detects and processes impedance changes without requiring practitioner intervention or movement, enabling prolonged unattended use while maintaining blood flow analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical Doppler probe that requires manual movement along vessels with a stationary electrical impedance sensing system. The contacts remain fixed on the body surface, and blood flow information is extracted from impedance variations, eliminating the need for practitioner movement and enabling continuous long-term monitoring
5Measurement precision
If ultrasound monitoring is used, then arterial function monitoring is improved, but device complexity and practicality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the arterial function monitoring capability from complex ultrasound equipment. By using electrical impedance changes caused by arterial pulsations and blood flow, the system achieves arterial monitoring with a simple portable device, eliminating the need for bulky ultrasound machinery while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes ultrasound wave-based detection with electrical impedance-based detection. The electrical contacts measure impedance variations caused by arterial blood flow and wall movements, providing arterial function monitoring without the complexity of ultrasound transducers, signal processing, and imaging systems
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 monitoring of arterial and venous flows, allowing practitioners to adjust surgical techniques and wound compression pressure, reducing post-operative complications such as arterial occlusion and stenosis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one segment of conductive elastomer with variable resistance arranged so as to extend over the periphery of the body element and sensitive to the length of the periphery of said element
Implementation Method 2
conductive elastomer with variable resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention of the present application is non-invasive equipment for monitoring blood flows and/or respiratory cycles of a human or animal body, comprising at least one segment of conductive elastomer with variable resistance arranged so as to extend over the circumference of the body element and sensitive to the length of the circumference of said element, means for capturing said length by virtue of said variable resistance and supplying a signal representing said length, and means for processing said signal, comprising means for extracting parameters of the blood flows and/or respiratory cycles to be monitored.