Inductive Sensing System for Non-Invasive Bleeding Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing intracerebral hemorrhage and abdominal bleeding in prehospital settings are inadequate due to their expense, complexity, and lack of accuracy, particularly in non-invasive and rapid detection.

Innovation Solution

An inductive sensing system using a resonator circuit with multiple single-loop antennas and an electronic signal generator to detect electromagnetic signals returned from the body, determining the presence of bleeding by analyzing the additional inductance components added to each antenna.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CT or MRI scans are used for diagnosing intracerebral hemorrhage, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (CT scanners, MRI machines) with a simplified electromagnetic sensing system using resonant circuits and antennas. This substitution maintains diagnostic capability for detecting blood while eliminating the need for expensive, time-consuming tomography scans, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and time/cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential diagnostic function from complex imaging systems by isolating the specific capability to detect blood through electromagnetic resonance. Instead of using full CT or MRI systems, the patent implements a dedicated resonant sensing system that performs only the critical function of blood detection, thereby reducing time and cost while preserving diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If ultrasound is used for detecting abdominal bleeding, then speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to operator skill dependency and false negatives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resonant sensing system performs automatic detection without requiring operator interpretation. The system self-evaluates the electromagnetic resonance signals to determine presence of blood, eliminating the human error and skill dependency inherent in ultrasound interpretation while maintaining rapid detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound imaging system with an electromagnetic resonance-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled operators to interpret complex images, as the resonant system provides direct, objective measurements of blood presence, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If manual palpation is used for abdominal injury diagnosis, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability worsen due to expertise requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoiddiagnosis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical palpation with an automated electromagnetic sensing system. This substitution maintains equipment simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision, as the resonant circuit objectively detects blood presence without requiring medical expertise for interpretation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If CT or MRI scans are performed on all trauma patients, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to unnecessary radiation exposure and resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective screening using the resonant sensing system to identify only those patients who require full CT or MRI scanning. By performing a rapid, non-invasive initial assessment, the system enables targeted use of expensive imaging resources, improving overall efficiency and reducing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining accurate diagnosis for those who need it

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The system provides a fast, accurate, and non-invasive means to detect blood accumulations in various body regions, improving prehospital diagnosis and reducing the need for costly and time-consuming in-hospital scans.

Implementation Method 1

inductive sensing system arranged for sensing electromagnetic signals returned from a body responsive to application of electromagnetic excitation signals to said body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a resonator circuit comprising at least two single antennas, and an electronic signal generator coupled to the at least two single antennas, for driving the antennas with a drive signal to cause them to generate the electromagnetic excitation signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4076161B1Inductive sensing system
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4076161B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4076161B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4076161B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An inductive sensing system (8) is for detecting bleeding (e.g. blood pools) in one or more regions of the body. The system comprises a resonator circuit (10) having at least one antenna (12) which is driven with an oscillatory drive signal to cause generation of electromagnetic signals for application to a body. The signals induce eddy currents in the body which generate secondary EM signals returned from the body. These interact with the resonator circuit by adding an additional component of inductance to the circuit. This inductance component varies depending upon the conductivity of the fluid in which the eddy current is induced. Blood has a different conductivity to other body fluids. The system is configured to detect presence of abnormal accumulations of blood based on the additional inductance component. The system generates a data output representative of the determination.