Implantable Sensor for Continuous Creatinine Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring kidney-related parameters, such as diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease, are inadequate for continuous, real-time tracking, leading to delayed detection and increased healthcare costs due to reliance on periodic laboratory tests.

Innovation Solution

An implantable sensor system that continuously measures creatinine and glucose levels in bodily tissues or fluids, providing real-time data for determining kidney-related parameters, including estimated glomerular filtration rate, and offering personalized recommendations for patients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If periodic laboratory tests are used for monitoring kidney parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and detection timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekidney parameter detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an implantable sensor as an intermediary device that continuously monitors creatinine levels in bodily fluids. This sensor acts as a mediator between the patient's physiological state and the external monitoring system, providing real-time data without requiring complex periodic laboratory interventions. The sensor translates biological information (creatinine concentration) into measurable signals that can be processed and transmitted externally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then detection timeliness is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection delayVSAvoidsensor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable sensor employs periodic measurement cycles rather than truly continuous operation. The sensor takes measurements at predetermined intervals, allowing the system to balance between timely detection and energy conservation. This periodic action enables the sensor to remain dormant between measurements, significantly reducing power consumption while still providing timely alerts for rapid changes in creatinine levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where measurement results influence subsequent monitoring behavior. When creatinine levels are stable, the sensor can extend its measurement intervals to conserve energy. When abnormal changes are detected, the system increases monitoring frequency and triggers alerts. This adaptive feedback loop optimizes energy usage based on actual physiological conditions rather than operating at constant high intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4461217A1Monitoring a kidney-related condition
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 INDIGO DIABETES NV
  • EP4461217A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4461217A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4461217A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A monitoring system 100 for monitoring a kidney-related condition of a living creature. The monitoring system 100 comprises an implantable sensor 110 for repetitively measuring creatinine information in bodily tissue or bodily fluids of the living creature and for storing said creatinine information, and a processor 120 programmed for determining, from the stored information, a kidney-related parameter for the living creature.