Distributed Thermocouple Sensor for Localized Tissue Overheating Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors for measuring in a living body are unable to reliably detect local tissue overheating due to their inability to provide precise temperature measurements over small areas, leading to potential skin charring during thermosurgery procedures.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor with a series connection of thermocouples arranged in a layered structure on the measuring surface, allowing for precise detection of temperature changes at each thermal junction, with thermal transitions distributed homogeneously to record local temperature changes effectively, and additional series circuits for enhanced localization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single temperature sensor with large measurement area is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision for local temperature changes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is segmented into multiple thermocouples arranged in a matrix pattern on the measuring surface. Each thermocouple acts as an independent temperature detection element, allowing local temperature changes to be detected with high precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermocouples are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern on the measuring surface, transitioning from single-point or linear measurement to area-wide distributed measurement. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive detection of local temperature changes across the entire measurement area.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to detect local overheating, then the measurement precision improves, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor uses multiple thermocouples segmented into first and second groups that can be manufactured separately and then combined. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes for each group while achieving comprehensive temperature monitoring when the groups are assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second groups of thermocouples are merged into a single integrated temperature sensor with a unified measuring surface. This merging achieves comprehensive temperature detection coverage while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular assembly of pre-fabricated groups.
3Measurement precision
If thermocouples are arranged densely to detect local temperature changes, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermocouples are arranged in a regular matrix pattern that provides uniform spatial distribution across the measuring surface. This regular arrangement ensures consistent measurement quality at all locations while simplifying the design and manufacturing process compared to irregular or adaptive patterns.
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
The sensor effectively detects local temperature changes with high accuracy, preventing tissue overheating by providing clear voltage deflections for selective temperature increases, thus reducing the risk of skin charring during thermosurgery.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor comprises a series connection of a number of thermocouples (16, 18) arranged on a measuring surface (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature sensor (24) for temperature measurement on or in a living body. The temperature sensor (24) comprises a multiplicity of thermocouples arranged in a distributed manner on a measuring area (30) of the sensor (24) and electrically connected to form at least one series circuit, wherein thermojuntions (16, 18) formed by the thermocouples in each series circuit are divided between at least, and preferably at most, two spatially separate groups in such a way that in each group the thermojunctions (16, 18) bring about a change in voltage in the same sense in each case in response to a given change in temperature.