Implant Signal Processing Device for Wireless Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical implant monitoring devices face challenges with short measurement durations and high energy consumption, requiring large batteries and bulky external power sources, limiting their operational life and data transmission range.

Innovation Solution

A device that processes implant parameters by summing cyclic sensor responses and transmitting only the sum, number of cycles, and current sensor values wirelessly, using a programmable electronic data processing unit, RFID for data transfer, and minimizing energy consumption to enable long-term monitoring with a compact size, allowing autonomous operation for up to 9 months.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless data transmission is used to monitor implant parameters, then measurement information can be obtained remotely, but energy consumption increases requiring large batteries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote monitoring capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes only the most essential measurement information (peak values, minima, maxima, cycle counts) while discarding redundant data. This selective extraction approach enables wireless transmission with minimal energy consumption, allowing remote monitoring without requiring large batteries that would otherwise be needed for continuous data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If continuous data transmission is performed, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but data volume and energy consumption become unmanageable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time monitoring accuracyVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only critical parameters (peak values, minima, maxima, cycle counts) from continuous sensor signals for transmission. This selective data extraction maintains real-time monitoring reliability by capturing essential mechanical behavior information while reducing data volume to manageable levels suitable for wireless transmission with minimal energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting complete continuous data streams, the system performs partial action by transmitting only selected critical parameters at specific moments (peaks, minima, maxima). This partial transmission approach provides sufficient information for reliable monitoring while dramatically reducing data volume and energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Length of stationary object

If large capacity batteries are implanted to support wireless transmission, then transmission range is improved, but implant size and patient burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission rangeVSAvoidimplant size

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting and transmitting only essential measurement parameters rather than continuous data streams, the system dramatically reduces power consumption. This enables the use of small, implantable battery capacities (milliwatt range) that provide sufficient transmission range for clinical use without requiring large, burdensome power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Volume of moving object

If external power supply via induction is used, then battery size is reduced, but patient must carry bulky equipment during measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant sizeVSAvoidpatient mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and transmits only critical parameters with minimal energy consumption, enabling the implant to function autonomously for extended periods (months) on small internal batteries without requiring external induction coils or power supplies during normal patient activities, thereby maintaining full patient mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring continuous external power supply infrastructure, the system uses partial action by relying on minimal energy transmission for selective data points, enabling autonomous operation that eliminates the need for bulky external equipment during patient daily activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10441171B2Device for processing and transmitting measured signals for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 AO TECH AG

AI summary

A device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes including: a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); an electronic signal processing device (2) electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) for processing measured signals received from the at least one sensor; a data memory (16) electrically connected to said signal processing device for storing data received from said signal processing device; and a data transmission device (4) electrically connected to said data memory for transmitting data received from said data memory to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8). The signal processing device calculates statistically relevant data obtained from the measured signals, reducing the volume of stored data. Methods for monitoring or controlling bone healing or bone distraction implants are also disclosed.