Implantable Medical Device Sensor Differentiation via Switched Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices, such as stents, face challenges in distinguishing the parameters measured by multiple sensors and ensuring correct implantation without invasive procedures, due to limitations in sensor technology and increased costs associated with RFID chips.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an electric measurement circuit featuring variable-impedance sensors connected in a measurement circuit, where a control system successively short circuits sensors to emit an electromagnetic field corresponding to different configurations, allowing for the determination of each sensor's values without physical intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple RFID chips are used as sensors in the medical device, then the number of sensors can be increased, but the price of the medical device increases correspondingly and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are electrically connected in series within a single integrated circuit structure, allowing multiple sensing elements to function together without requiring separate RFID chips for each sensor. This merging approach reduces device complexity while maintaining multi-sensor measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single RFID chip is designed to interface with multiple sensors through a series connection architecture, enabling one chip to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for individual RFID chips for each sensor, reducing overall device complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are equipped in the medical device, then more information can be obtained, but it becomes difficult to distinguish the parameters measured by each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching of sensor connections to the measurement circuit, where each sensor is activated in sequence at different time intervals. This temporal separation allows the receiving device to distinguish which sensor produced which measurement, solving the parameter differentiation problem while maintaining all sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection configuration dynamically changes over time, with switches altering the series connection arrangement to isolate individual sensors for measurement. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to sequentially measure each sensor's output without permanent physical separation.
3Ease of manufacture
If RFID chips are implanted within the structure of the implantable medical device, then sensor integration is achieved, but the creation of the device becomes particularly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor elements, switching components, and a single RFID chip interface. This modular segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, simplifying the overall creation process while maintaining integrated functionality.
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 the differentiation of parameters measured by each sensor and ensures correct implantation of the medical device by providing qualitative information on sensor values, reducing costs and complexity compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna for emitting an electromagnetic field as a function of the impedance of the electric measurement circuit
Implementation Method 2
at least two sensors the impedance of which varies as a function of a physical parameter sensed by the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device including an electric measurement circuit, in which are connected at least two sensors the impedance of which varies as a function of a sensed physical parameter, a source of electrical power for powering the electric measurement circuit, an antenna for emitting an electromagnetic field as a function of the impedance of the electric measurement circuit, each of the sensors being associated with a switch for short circuiting the sensor in the measurement circuit, the medical device further including a system for controlling the switches in order successively to command the opening or closing of the switches in determined configurations. The medical device may notably be able to be applied to the human body or implanted in the human body.