Implantable Blood Pressure Sensor in Vessel Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive vital sign monitoring methods for ambulatory patients are cumbersome, prone to inaccurate readings, and obstruct blood flow, while long-term implantable sensors can cause endothelial cell injury and thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
An implantable vital sign sensor with a biodegradable or biocompatible housing sized to be implanted within a blood vessel wall, featuring a sensor module with a pressure transducer and deflectable diaphragm to measure blood pressure waveforms without compressing the artery, and a method for percutaneous implantation using a blood vessel piercing element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive vital sign sensors are used for ambulatory patients, then patient mobility is maintained, but measurement accuracy and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into two parts: an implantable sensor module placed within the blood vessel wall for accurate measurement, and an external receiver unit for data processing. This segmentation allows the patient to maintain mobility while the implanted sensor remains stationary and accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is nested within the blood vessel wall tissue, with the transducer diaphragm positioned against the endothelial cells. This nesting approach provides stable, accurate measurements while the patient moves freely.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If intravascular blood pressure sensors are used for long-term implantation, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but endothelial cell injury and thrombosis risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is designed with local quality differentiation: the transducer diaphragm is positioned only against the endothelial cells for measurement, while the housing is implanted within the blood vessel wall tissue. This localized positioning minimizes contact with blood flow, reducing thrombosis risk while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer diaphragm acts as an intermediary between the measurement system and the blood vessel wall, allowing accurate pressure measurement through the endothelial cells without direct intrusion into the blood flow path, thereby reducing endothelial injury and thrombosis risk.
3Reliability
If non-invasive sensors are used frequently, then patient compliance improves, but measurement artifacts and blood flow occlusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is implanted once within the blood vessel wall, establishing a permanent measurement position before any measurements are taken. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated sensor application, preventing measurement artifacts and blood flow occlusion that occur with frequent non-invasive sensor placement.
4Measurement precision
If implantable sensors are positioned within the blood vessel lumen, then measurement accuracy is improved, but blood flow obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor measurement interface is moved from the three-dimensional blood vessel lumen to the two-dimensional endothelial cell layer within the vessel wall. This dimensional change allows accurate pressure measurement through the vessel wall while maintaining full blood flow cross-section, eliminating obstruction.
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 accurate, long-term real-time monitoring of vital signs with reduced risk of endothelial injury and thrombosis, maintaining stable measurements and minimizing the need for frequent recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor module is inserted within the lumen of the housing, the sensor module being configured to measure a blood vessel blood pressure waveform
Implementation Method 2
the sensor module having a deflectable diaphragm responsive to a blood pressure waveform within the artery
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable vital sign sensor including a housing including a first portion, the first portion defining a first open end, a second open end opposite the first end, and a lumen there through, the first portion being sized to be implanted substantially entirely within the blood vessel wall of the patient. A sensor module configured to measure a blood vessel blood pressure waveform is included, the sensor module having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being insertable within the lumen and the proximal portion extending outward from the first open end.