Implant Temperature Sensing via Magneto-Mechanical Oscillator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the working status of medical implants within the human body are difficult and often pose health risks to the patient due to invasive procedures or radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a micro device with a magneto-mechanical oscillator that transduces a magnetic excitation field into a magnetic response field, allowing for non-invasive temperature measurement to determine the working status of a medical implant, such as a stent or orthopedic implant, by detecting temperature changes indicative of tissue overgrowth or coupling status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct monitoring of implants is performed using traditional methods, then the working status can be determined, but health risks are introduced due to imaging radiation or invasive measurement procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or invasive monitoring methods with a magneto-mechanical oscillator that responds to acoustic waves. The oscillator's resonant frequency changes in response to tissue overgrowth or implant loosening, allowing non-invasive detection through magnetic field interactions rather than direct physical contact or radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The magneto-mechanical oscillator serves as an intermediary element embedded in the implant that translates mechanical status changes into detectable magnetic signals. This intermediary allows external monitoring without direct contact between the monitoring device and the implant, eliminating the need for invasive procedures or radiation.
2Measurement precision
If magneto-mechanical oscillators are used for localization, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the ability to directly measure working status parameters is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The magneto-mechanical oscillator is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides accurate localization through its magnetic response to external fields, while simultaneously serving as a sensor for working status parameters. The oscillator's resonant frequency responds to both positional information and mechanical status changes such as tissue overgrowth or implant loosening, making it a multi-functional device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the localization function and the working status sensing function into a single magneto-mechanical oscillator component. By combining these functions in one element, the system eliminates the need for separate localization devices and status sensors, enabling both capabilities to work together through the same physical mechanism.
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 easy and safe determination of the implant's working status, facilitating clinical decisions on medication or replacement based on temperature changes without exposing the patient to further health risks.
Implementation Method 1
the micro device comprises a magneto-mechanical oscillator configured to transduce a magnetic excitation field into a magnetic response field
Implementation Method 2
magneto-mechanical oscillators that have recently been introduced... allow for a very accurate localization of the micro devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a device (100) for detecting a working status of a medical implant (130), like a stent or bone implant, wherein a micro device (131) is integrated in and/or attached to the implant and comprises a magneto-mechanical oscillator configured to transduce a magnetic excitation field into a magnetic response field, wherein the response field is indicative of a temperature change of the micro device. The device comprises a transmit/receive unit (110) adapted to generate the excitation field, detect the response field, and transduce the detected response field into an electric response signal, and a controller (120) adapted to control the transmit/receive unit and further adapted to determine a change in a temperature of the micro device based on the electric response signal, and to determine the working status of the medical implant based on the determined change in the temperature of the micro device.