Digital Sensor Catheter for Robust Cardiac Output Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac output measurement methods rely on single parameter assessment, which is prone to noise, sensor errors, and confounding factors, especially in patients with heart assist devices, and are cumbersome due to multiple cables and complex signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
Integration of miniaturized digital sensor SoCs inside medical invasive devices, enabling simultaneous digital signal processing and transmission within the body, reducing the need for external transducers and cables, and incorporating energy harvesting for wireless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cables and external transducers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (pressure, temperature, flow) and their signal processing electronics into a single integrated catheter assembly. The catheter incorporates multiple lumens for different measurements and integrates analog-to-digital converters and microprocessors directly within the catheter body, eliminating the need for separate external transducers and reducing cable requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously perform pressure measurement, temperature monitoring, flow rate detection, and cardiac output calculation. A single catheter insertion provides multiple physiological parameters through different lumens and sensors, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If analog signal transmission is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical and electrical noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog mechanical/electrical signal transmission with digital signal processing. Sensors within the catheter convert physiological measurements to digital signals using integrated analog-to-digital converters, which are then transmitted through the catheter to external processors. This digital approach eliminates susceptibility to mechanical and electrical noise that plagues analog transmission.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor errors and confounding factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (pressure, temperature, flow) and their signal processing electronics into a single integrated catheter assembly. The catheter incorporates multiple lumens for different measurements and integrates analog-to-digital converters and microprocessors directly within the catheter body, eliminating the need for separate external transducers and reducing cable requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple simultaneous measurements (pressure, temperature, flow) to cross-validate and correct for sensor errors and confounding factors. The integrated microprocessor analyzes feedback from all sensors to compute cardiac output, compensating for individual sensor inaccuracies through multi-parameter analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems, methods and algorithms for determination of heart pump function and their use in livings subject are described.The invention further relates to complementary parts of such systems that work best in combination.Medical catheters, sheaths and shafts are disclosed that carry an arrangement of integrated digital sensor systems-on-chip (SoC) in the portion thereof residing inside the body. These devices combine at their portion that resides inside the body, the complete chain of signal transduction, signal analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal transmission, and allow to acquire single and multiple physical entities in a single setup. In specific instances the devices integrate wireless data transfer functionality, and in specific instances they integrate wireless energy harvesting for battery-free functionality.The present invention further describes complementary monitor systems that are suited for reception, processing and analysis of data acquired by such catheters/sheaths/shafts to yield a robust assessment of cardiac performance.Moreover, the present invention relates to innovations which render such systems applicable to patients with and without cardiac assist devices.