Handheld Probe for Non-Invasive Tissue Perfusion Pressure Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) are invasive, expensive, and inadequate for early detection and localization of circulatory insufficiency, particularly in subdermal tissues, and lack sensitivity and specificity in identifying PAD and its progression.

Innovation Solution

A handheld probe with a blood circulation sensor and force/pressure sensor that measures tissue perfusion pressure (TPP) by applying varying pressure to the skin, allowing for non-invasive assessment of circulatory health and localization of circulatory issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive diagnostic procedures (angiography, catheterization) are used to assess circulatory health, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but patient harm and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of tissue perfusionVSAvoidinvasiveness and patient risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical diagnostic procedures (catheterization, angiography) with a non-invasive optical sensing system. The probe uses photodetectors to detect light absorption and scattering properties of tissue, which correlate with blood flow and oxygen saturation, thereby substituting mechanical intrusion with optical field-based measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure circulatory parameters. Instead of directly accessing blood vessels, the system uses light interaction with tissue (absorption, scattering, fluorescence) as a mediator to obtain information about blood flow, oxygen saturation, and tissue perfusion without physical invasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If invasive procedures are performed to locate circulatory insufficiency, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracy of circulatory issuesVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming invasive exploration (manual localization during surgery) with rapid optical scanning. The probe can quickly map tissue perfusion across multiple locations by measuring light interaction properties, providing real-time spatial distribution of circulatory health without sequential invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary assessment of circulatory health before surgical intervention. By performing non-invasive optical measurements beforehand, the system identifies problem areas in advance, allowing surgeons to plan procedures more efficiently and avoid time-consuming intraoperative exploration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If current non-invasive methods are used to screen for PAD, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and detection sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive screening capabilityVSAvoiddetection sensitivity of early PAD

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple optical intermediaries (different wavelengths of light, fluorescence markers) to enhance detection sensitivity. By analyzing various light-tissue interaction mechanisms simultaneously, the system can detect subtle changes in tissue perfusion and oxygen saturation that indicate early PAD, maintaining non-invasiveness while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent varies optical parameters (wavelength, intensity, modulation frequency) to optimize detection sensitivity for different tissue depths and circulatory conditions. By tuning these parameters, the system can enhance contrast between healthy and compromised tissue, improving early PAD detection while remaining non-invasive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 probe provides a non-invasive, cost-effective means to detect PAD early, assess circulatory health, and identify specific locations for treatment, improving diagnostic accuracy and surgical interventions by measuring TPP, which is a significant marker of circulatory health.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector to detect light interaction with the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

detect light interaction with the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS20240268686A1Method and apparatus for sensing circulatory health

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 VOTIS SUBDERMAL IMAGING TECH LTD

AI summary

A probe with a blood circulation sensor and a force or pressure sensor is placed against a patient. One part of the probe applies a force to another part of the probe which is pressed against the patient at one or more locations. The variation of a measure of blood circulation is recorded as a function of the applied pressure, thereby giving the operator a specific knowledge of the Tissue Perfusion Pressure (TPP), a measure of circulatory health, at each location.