Implant Site Evaluation Tool Using Sensor Signal Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems face challenges in accurately determining optimal implantation sites for medical devices within the body, leading to potential faulty or suboptimal device performance and increased need for repositioning or explantation.
Innovation Solution
A medical tool with integrated sensors and communication circuitry is used to simulate the signals of the medical device, allowing for evaluation of candidate implantation sites and providing test results to determine the appropriateness of the site, reducing the need for complex human analysis and anesthesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a medical device is implanted without comprehensive preoperative evaluation of candidate sites, then the implantation procedure is faster and simpler, but the likelihood of successful implantation at the optimal location decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting sensor signal testing at candidate implantation sites before the actual device implantation. The medical tool includes sensors that replicate the medical device's sensor configuration to evaluate signal quality, anatomical positioning, and functional performance at each candidate site. This advance evaluation allows the clinician to identify the optimal implantation location and plan the procedure accordingly, ensuring successful implantation while avoiding the need for complex intraoperative decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a medical tool that replicates the medical device's sensor configuration, electrode arrangement, and functional characteristics. The medical tool's sensors are configured to correspond with the medical device's sensors, allowing it to generate equivalent signals for evaluation purposes. This copy enables comprehensive testing of candidate implantation sites using a simplified, portable device rather than requiring the actual medical device or complex specialized equipment.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensor signal testing is performed at multiple candidate implantation sites, then the accuracy of implantation site selection improves, but the time required for evaluation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the principle of using a disposable or reusable medical tool that is simpler and more portable than the actual medical device. The medical tool is designed to be easily inserted into and removed from candidate implantation sites, allowing rapid signal acquisition without requiring complex, time-consuming specialized equipment. The tool's simplified design enables multiple candidate sites to be evaluated efficiently, balancing thoroughness with time constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tool is designed with multi-functionality to perform various evaluation tasks through a single device. It can test signal quality, assess anatomical positioning, evaluate functional performance, and compare different candidate sites all using the same sensor configuration and processing system. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized testing devices and streamlines the evaluation process, reducing overall time while maintaining comprehensive accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If a medical tool with corresponding sensor configuration is used to test candidate sites, then the evaluation of implantation suitability becomes more accurate, but the cost and complexity of equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a medical tool that replicates the medical device's sensor configuration, electrode arrangement, and functional characteristics. The medical tool's sensors are configured to correspond with the medical device's sensors, allowing it to generate equivalent signals for evaluation purposes. This copy enables accurate assessment of candidate implantation sites using a simplified, portable device rather than requiring the actual medical device or complex specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical tool serves as an intermediary between the clinician and the actual medical device implantation. It provides a simplified, portable evaluation system that can be used at various candidate sites before implantation, allowing signal quality and anatomical positioning to be assessed without requiring the complex medical device or specialized testing equipment. The tool acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between evaluation and implantation.
4Productivity
If sensor data from the medical tool is processed and evaluated automatically, then the analysis speed and objectivity improve, but the need for sophisticated processing systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing signal processing and evaluation before the implantation procedure. The medical tool includes processing circuitry that analyzes sensor signals, compares them against predetermined criteria, and determines implantation suitability in advance. This advance processing eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during surgery, allowing faster, more objective evaluation while using simpler processing hardware that can be pre-programmed with evaluation algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to medical systems and techniques configured to test candidate implantation sites. An example medical tool includes a housing for one or more sensors. The housing is configured to be at least partially inserted into a body of a patient. The one or more sensors have a configuration corresponding to one or more sensors of a medical device to be implanted. The medical tool includes communication circuitry configured to transmit, to a computing device, sensor data generated from signals captured by the one or more sensors. The computing device is configured to run a test on the sensor data to identify an implantation site from at least one candidate implantation site for the medical device.