FPC Intracranial Probe Assembly for Stable Digital Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intracranial monitoring systems face issues such as large device size, increased surgical trauma, complex production processes, poor measurement precision, electromagnetic interference, and inability to meet real-time and stable signal transmission requirements, particularly due to wired analog signal transmission and temperature differences between sensor and signal processing circuits.
Innovation Solution
The use of a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC)-sensor integrated probe assembly with integrated absolute pressure, temperature, and signal chain chips, encapsulated on a mini rigid substrate or FPC, enabling digital signal transmission and electromagnetic compatibility, along with wireless communication for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired analog signal transmission is used, then signal transmission stability is improved, but device size and surgical trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wired mechanical connection system with a wireless communication system. The sensor-catheter assembly transmits signals wirelessly to the external monitor, eliminating the need for physical wires that increase device size and cause surgical trauma. This substitution maintains signal transmission stability while reducing the mechanical complexity and size of the implanted device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal transmission parameter from analog to digital. By converting analog signals to digital signals for wireless transmission, the system achieves better electromagnetic compatibility and reduced interference, while the digital transmission allows for more compact device design compared to traditional wired analog systems.
2Measurement precision
If sensor and signal processing circuits are separated, then measurement precision is improved, but temperature difference effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor-catheter assembly with the signal processing circuits by integrating the circuits directly into the catheter structure. This integration ensures that the sensor and processing circuits operate at the same temperature, eliminating temperature difference effects. The integrated design also reduces the overall device size and eliminates the need for separate external processing equipment.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional sensor-catheter assembly is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electromagnetic compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wired mechanical connection system with a wireless communication system. The sensor-catheter assembly transmits signals wirelessly to the external monitor, eliminating the need for physical wires that increase device size and cause surgical trauma. This substitution maintains signal transmission stability while reducing the mechanical complexity and size of the implanted device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to an ICM system and a probe assembly. The probe assembly includes a catheter with a front end configured to insert into the skull of a monitored person; and an FPC-sensor integrated probe sealing arranged within the catheter, the FPC-sensor integrated probe comprises an absolute pressure sensor chip; a temperature sensor chip; a signal chain chip; and a strip-shaped FPC; the absolute pressure sensor chip, the temperature sensor chip and the signal chain chip are COF encapsulated in bare chips or SMT encapsulated onto the FPC; or alternatively are COB encapsulated in bare chips or SMT encapsulated onto a rigid micro circuit board which is integrated with the FPC; the absolute pressure sensor chip, the temperature sensor chip and the signal chain chip are positioned on the FPC such that their operating ambient temperatures are substantially the same.