Implant Sensor Resonant Circuit for Passive Body Parameter Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implants with sensor systems are limited in their ability to efficiently detect body parameters without consuming energy and require complex modifications to the implant structure, affecting their interaction with the body environment.

Innovation Solution

An implant with a passive resonant circuit formed by a coil and capacitor, where the capacitor is partially uninsulated to interact with the surrounding environment, allowing capacitance changes to reflect body parameter changes, enabling energy-efficient detection through external electromagnetic excitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capacitor is fully insulated from the surrounding environment, then the implant structure is more stable and protected, but the sensor cannot detect body parameter changes through capacitance variation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant structure stabilityVSAvoidbody parameter detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is selectively insulated on one side while remaining exposed on another side. This local differentiation allows the capacitor to maintain structural stability through insulation where needed while simultaneously enabling body parameter detection through environmental interaction where required, resolving the contradiction between protection and sensing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If an active sensor system is used to detect body parameters, then measurement capability is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody parameter detection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system utilizes the body's natural electromagnetic environment to induce currents in the resonant circuit, eliminating the need for an active power source. The system passively detects body parameters through capacitance changes that affect the resonant frequency, allowing measurement without energy consumption from the implant itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active electronic sensing mechanisms with a passive electromagnetic resonance-based detection system. By using the body's electromagnetic field to excite the resonant circuit rather than requiring an active transmitter, the system achieves measurement capability without metabolic energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the implant structure is modified to include sensor components, then measurement functionality is added, but the complexity of the implant increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody parameter detection capabilityVSAvoidimplant structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor components (capacitor and coil) are integrated directly into the implant structure itself rather than being added as separate external components. The capacitor is formed using implant materials, and the coil is wound around the implant, merging the sensing function with the structural elements to minimize overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution allows for continuous monitoring of body parameters without energy consumption, as the resonance frequency shifts in response to environmental changes, facilitating the tracking of parameter changes over time without influencing the implant's interaction with the body.

Implementation Method 1

the capacitor is in contact with the surrounding environment on at least one side in such a way that its capacitance changes depending on the body parameter that is to be determined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the conductor and the capacitor form at least one electrical resonant circuit... the resonance frequency shifts in response to environmental changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

enabling energy-efficient detection through external electromagnetic excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11553880B2Implant with sensor assembly

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 BIOTRONIK AG

AI summary

An implant (in particular a stent) includes a main structure and a sensor assembly for measuring a body parameter. The sensor assembly includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one capacitor which are connected in such a way that the conductor and the capacitor form at least one electrical resonant circuit. The electrical conductor is surrounded by an electrical insulation. The electrical conductor is in the form of a coil having at least one turn. The capacitor is in contact at least on one side with the surrounding environment and its capacitance changes depending on the body parameter that is to be determined.