Gastric Pressure Sensing for Continuous Intra-Abdominal Pressure Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) are invasive, uncomfortable, and inaccurate, limiting their use to discrete and short-term measurements, leading to underestimation, overestimation, or misestimation of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), which can result in delayed or excessive medical treatments and resource waste.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for continuous, long-term, and real-time IAP measurement using a sensing device inside the abdominal cavity, coupled with a control device to record pressure-time information and output a warning signal when the area under the curve exceeds a threshold, allowing for accurate evaluation of IAP levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bladder pressure measurement is used to derive IAP, then IAP can be measured, but the patient experiences discomfort and psychological or physiological stress, and long-term measurement may lead to urinary system infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the stomach cavity as an intermediary space to measure abdominal pressure indirectly. Instead of directly measuring bladder pressure or abdominal circumference, the system places a sensing device in the stomach cavity (via esophagus insertion) to measure gastric pressure, which serves as a proxy for intra-abdominal pressure. This intermediary approach avoids direct contact with the bladder and urinary system, eliminating infection risks while providing continuous measurement without patient discomfort.
2Ease of operation
If abdominal circumference measurement is used to estimate IAP, then measurement can be performed, but the accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement method (abdominal circumference measurement with tape) with a pressure sensing system. Instead of measuring external dimensional changes, the system uses a pressure sensor to directly measure pressure values inside the stomach cavity. This substitution of measurement principle provides accurate pressure data while maintaining ease of operation, as the sensing device can be remotely monitored without requiring continuous manual measurement.
3Measurement precision
If pressure measurement from outside the abdomen is used, then measurement can be performed, but the accuracy is insufficient and patient mobility is significantly affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into two independent parts: a small sensing device placed inside the stomach cavity for accurate pressure measurement, and a remote control device for data processing and monitoring. This segmentation allows the sensing device to be minimal and non-intrusive, preserving patient mobility, while the control device handles all processing tasks. The separation enables continuous measurement without restricting patient movement, as the sensing device is self-contained and wirelessly connected.
4Loss of time
If discrete measurements are used for IAP, then measurement can be performed, but the level of IAH may be underestimated, overestimated, or misestimated, leading to delayed or excessive medical treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous pressure monitoring by keeping the sensing device in the stomach cavity over an extended period (multiple hours to days). The device continuously records pressure values and transmits them to the control device, which accumulates pressure-time information. This continuous monitoring provides a complete picture of IAP trends, allowing accurate determination of IAH levels and appropriate timing for treatment decisions, eliminating the gaps and inaccuracies associated with discrete measurements.
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 continuous, long-term, and real-time IAP monitoring, reducing the risk of underestimation, overestimation, or misestimation of IAH, thereby optimizing medical resource utilization and patient care.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a pressure value of the arrangement space by a pressure sensing module of the sensing device
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for intra-abdominal pressure evaluation and warning is provided. The method includes: arranging a sensing device at an arrangement space inside an abdominal cavity of an object; measuring a pressure value of the arrangement space by a pressure sensing module of the sensing device; receiving the pressure value and recording pressure-time information by a control device; accumulating an area under a curve of the pressure-time information during a measuring duration; and, while the accumulated area exceeds a warning threshold, outputting a warning signal by the control device.