Flexible 3D Tissue Model with Embedded Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional models of living body tissues, particularly those with lesions or blood vessels, lack flexibility and fail to accurately represent the movement and pressure variations within lumens, making them inadequate for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Innovation Solution
A method to produce a three-dimensional model of living body tissues using active energy-curing resin, which includes forming a lumen wall with a measuring structure to detect pressure variations and incorporating flow indicating elements and motion detection sections to visualize fluid flow and pressure changes, while maintaining flexibility by encasing unhardened liquid compartments within hardened resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If active energy-curing resin is used to reconstruct living body tissue three-dimensional model, then the model can be produced with flexibility similar to actual tissue, but the model lacks the ability to detect pressure variations and fluid flow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating measuring structures at specific locations within the lumen wall portion rather than making the entire model flexible. Pressure sensors and flow indicating elements are placed at predetermined positions to detect local pressure variations and fluid flow patterns while maintaining overall model flexibility. This resolves the contradiction by providing detection capabilities only where needed without compromising the flexibility of the entire model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining active energy-curing resin with measuring structures including pressure sensors and flow indicating elements. The lumen wall portion is constructed as a composite of the flexible resin material and embedded sensing components, allowing the model to simultaneously exhibit tissue-like flexibility and pressure detection functionality. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between flexibility and information loss.
2Loss of information
If measuring structures are incorporated into the lumen wall to detect pressure variations, then pressure information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the lumen wall portion by integrating pressure sensors, flow indicating elements, and motion detection capabilities within a single structural component. The measuring structures are embedded directly into the lumen wall made of active energy-curing resin, combining the structural function with sensing functions. This merging approach reduces device complexity compared to having separate sensing systems while still achieving comprehensive pressure and flow detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lumen wall portion is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural boundary of the lumen and as the platform for pressure detection and flow visualization. The same lumen wall structure that defines the lumen geometry also contains the measuring structures, making it a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously. This universality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining detection capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If the thickness of the lumen wall portion is reconstructed to visualize lesion regions, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but the model loses the ability to simulate tissue movement and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lumen wall portion flexible and capable of movement rather than rigid. The active energy-curing resin material allows the lumen wall to expand, contract, and deform in response to pressure variations, simulating actual tissue dynamics. Motion detection sections are incorporated to capture these dynamic movements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining precise thickness for lesion visualization and enabling tissue movement simulation.
4Loss of information
If flow indicating elements are added to visualize fluid flow, then functional analysis capability improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating flow indicating elements during the manufacturing process itself rather than adding them afterward. The active energy-curing resin is molded with embedded flow indicating elements and measuring structures in a single manufacturing step. This preliminary incorporation simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to post-manufacturing assembly, as the flow indicating elements are integrated into the lumen wall structure during the initial molding operation.
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 clear visualization of lesion regions, facilitates easier diagnosis, and allows for the simulation of surgical procedures with a model that mimics the flexibility and pressure responses of actual tissues, enhancing treatment planning and compatibility testing.
Implementation Method 1
a method of producing a three-dimensional model of living body tissues using active energy-curing resin
Implementation Method 2
forming a lumen wall with a measuring structure to detect pressure variations
Data Source
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AI summary
An internal tissue including a lesion region in the human body is modeled as a three-dimensional model. By reconstructing thickness or flexibility of a lumen wall portion including the lesion region and making it possible to confirm a motion of the lumen wall or a flow of fluid in the inside of the lumen wall, a state of the lesion region in the lumen can be confirmed clearly by visual inspection or the like. As a result, the diagnosis in the lumen can be made further easier.