Handheld Medical Device for Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices are inadequate for quickly measuring and monitoring tissue properties, particularly in handheld and portable forms, and lack the ability to wirelessly transmit data, which is essential for diagnosing conditions like peripheral arterial disease, pressure ulcers, and post-surgical flap complications.
Innovation Solution
A handheld medical device with a light-guiding cone that emits multispectral wavelengths, an image sensor, and a processor to measure tissue properties, including oxygen saturation and temperature, which can wirelessly transmit data for remote monitoring and diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ABI measurement with Doppler test is used, then diagnostic accuracy for peripheral arterial disease is achieved, but the test time is long (15 minutes) and requires a vascular technician
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Doppler ultrasound system with an optical measurement system using light sources and photodetectors to measure tissue oxygenation and blood flow properties. This substitution enables faster, automated measurements without requiring manual Doppler probe manipulation by a technician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple light wavelengths including oxidized/reflected light measurements to rapidly assess tissue oxygenation status. By measuring light absorption and reflection properties, the system quickly determines blood flow and oxygenation without the time-consuming Doppler waveform analysis.
2Ease of manufacture
If visual inspection with tissue blanching is used for pressure ulcer detection, then the method is simple and requires no special equipment, but the sensitivity is low (85%) and specificity is poor (39%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement capabilities into a single handheld device: optical sensors for tissue oxygenation, temperature sensors for thermal detection, and pressure sensors for mechanical assessment. This multi-functional approach maintains simplicity while dramatically improving diagnostic accuracy for pressure ulcer detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (light sources and photodetectors) that interact with tissue to reveal subsurface properties not visible to the naked eye. Light absorption and reflection patterns provide objective measurements of tissue viability, oxygenation, and structural integrity beneath the skin surface.
3Reliability
If wired monitoring devices are used for post-surgical flap monitoring, then continuous monitoring of tissue oxygenation and temperature is achieved, but patient compliance is poor and additional medical costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-contained wireless monitoring device that operates independently without requiring connection to external power or data systems. The handheld device contains all necessary components (sensors, processor, display) to perform measurements and provide immediate feedback, eliminating the need for wired connections and improving patient mobility and compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static wired monitoring to dynamic wireless handheld operation. The device can be moved freely across different body locations, adjusted to various angles, and used by patients independently, transforming the monitoring process from a fixed, clinic-based procedure to a flexible, patient-controlled system.
4Reliability
If wired monitoring devices are used for post-surgical flap monitoring, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but the devices pose a hindrance to the surgical procedure and incur additional medical costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into separate, modular components: optical sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, processing unit, and display. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing complexity while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
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 rapid and accurate diagnosis of conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, pressure ulcers, and post-surgical flap complications, improving patient care and reducing medical costs by providing a portable and efficient means of data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
An image sensor is configured to measure intensities of light with different wavelengths reflected from the tissue of interest
Implementation Method 2
The light-guiding cone has a means for optically blocking light not reflected from the tissue of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are medical devices, systems and platforms to monitor tissue properties such as oxygen saturation, temperature and degree of tissue edema for diagnosis and post-operative patient monitoring. The medical devices may be handheld or portable or may be removable patches. The medical devices utilize light of various visible and near-infrared wavelengths to interrogate a tissue where the intensities of reflected light correlate to one or more tissue property. Also provided are methods for measuring tissue properties, for detecting pressure ulcers and for remotely monitoring in real time a surgical flap on a post-operative subject via the medical devices.