Implantable Resonant Sensor for Wireless Suture-Tension Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rehabilitation processes for tendon and ligament injuries rely on qualitative factors like patient pain tolerance, leading to inconsistent and suboptimal healing outcomes due to patient variability, lacking a non-intrusive, patient-specific, and quantitative biofeedback for suture tension monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An implantable sensor with a resonant circuit, comprising an inductor and capacitor, deforms in response to suture tension, changing its resonant parameters, allowing wireless detection of suture tension through electromagnetic coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If qualitative factors like patient pain tolerance are used to evaluate rehabilitation progress, then the evaluation process is simple and does not require complex equipment, but the evaluation results are inconsistent and suboptimal due to patient variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective evaluation method (patient feedback on pain and task ability) with an electromagnetic sensing system. The resonant circuit detects suture tension through electromagnetic coupling, converting mechanical tension into measurable electrical signals (resonant frequency and quality factor changes), thereby eliminating patient variability in subjective reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system between the suture and the evaluation process. The resonant circuit acts as a mediator that indirectly measures suture tension through electromagnetic coupling without requiring direct mechanical contact or patient subjective input, providing objective quantitative data.
2Loss of information
If an implantable sensor with resonant circuit is used to monitor suture tension, then real-time quantitative biofeedback is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant circuit is designed to be passively interrogated through electromagnetic coupling. The implantable sensor does not require its own power source or active electronics; instead, it uses the electromagnetic field from an external interrogating device to induce current in its resonant circuit, which then emits a detectable electromagnetic signal containing tension information. This self-powered approach reduces implant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic resonance, where the resonant circuit oscillates at a specific frequency when excited by an external electromagnetic field. The resonant frequency and quality factor of this oscillation change in response to suture tension, providing a sensitive and simple measurement mechanism that avoids complex sensing electronics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rehabilitation evaluation relying on patient feedback is used, then no additional monitoring equipment is needed, but the rehabilitation process lacks personalization and quantitative data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the resonant circuit continuously monitors suture tension and provides real-time quantitative data. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of rehabilitation protocols based on actual tissue healing status, allowing personalization of the rehabilitation process to each patient's specific recovery progress rather than following fixed protocols.
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
Provides real-time, quantitative biofeedback for suture tension, enabling personalized rehabilitation by accurately monitoring tissue healing and reducing the risk of reinjury.
Implementation Method 1
The resonant circuit is configured to electrically resonate at a resonant frequency when exposed to a first electromagnetic field and to emit a second remotely detectable electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The substrate is configured to deform in response to a tensile force applied by the suture and to change a resonant parameter of the resonant circuit in response to the deformation
Implementation Method 3
The enclosure is configured to deform in response to a tensile force applied by the suture. Deformation of the enclosure is configured to change the inductance of the at least one inductor and/or the capacitance of the at least one capacitor
Implementation Method 4
a resistive transducer having a resistance that varies in response to the deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples of the disclosure concern an implantable sensor. The implantable sensor includes a sensor assembly configured to connect to a suture. The sensor assembly also includes a substrate and a resonant circuit coupled to the substrate. The resonant circuit is configured to electrically resonate at a resonant frequency when exposed to a first electromagnetic field and to emit a second remotely detectable electromagnetic field. The substrate is configured to deform in response to a tensile force applied by the suture and to change a resonant parameter of the resonant circuit in response to the deformation.