Injectable Implantable Sensor With Optical Telemetry and Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring physiological signals from within the body are invasive, impractical for real-time applications, pose risks of tissue heating, and are not suitable for accurate, unobtrusive monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An implantable sensor using an organic electrochemical transistor and a light source to wirelessly transmit data, which is small enough to be injected, powered by a wireless receiver, and includes a magnetic component for orientation, enabling real-time, accurate data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical connection is used to transmit physiological signals, then data transmission is reliable, but the device becomes invasive and impractical for real-time applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical connection system with an optical wireless transmission system. The implantable sensor uses a light source to transmit physiological signal data optically through the skin to an external detector, eliminating the need for physical wires or cables while maintaining reliable real-time data transmission.
2Ease of operation
If ultrasound frequencies are used for wireless signal transmission, then physical connection is eliminated, but tissue heating and biological responses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from ultrasound frequency to optical frequency (visible or near-infrared light). This parameter change allows wireless transmission without the harmful tissue heating effects associated with ultrasound, as optical light can pass through tissue without significant thermal absorption at the power levels used for data transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is made small enough for injection, then surgical requirements are reduced, but power source size becomes a limiting factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into two parts: a small power source implanted with the sensor for immediate operation, and a larger external power source that can be placed outside the body. This segmentation allows the implantable sensor to remain injection-sized while still having access to sufficient power through wireless energy transfer from the external source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless energy transfer (electromagnetic coupling) as an intermediary mechanism between the external power source and the implantable sensor. This intermediary allows energy to be transferred across the skin boundary without physical connection, enabling the small implant to receive adequate power from a larger external source.
4Measurement precision
If multiple components are included for sensing and transmission, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated implantable device. The sensor, signal processing circuitry, light source for optical transmission, and power source are combined into one compact unit that can be injected into the body. This integration maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing size by eliminating the need for separate external components.
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 sensor allows for real-time, accurate, and unobtrusive monitoring of physiological signals, reducing surgical requirements and minimizing tissue heating risks, with applications in brain activity monitoring and early detection of events like epileptic seizures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source, coupled to the transistor, for transmitting data to an external detector, wherein the at least one light source emits light of a predetermined intensity and frequency in response to the sensed physiological signal
Implementation Method 2
powered by a wireless receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide an implantable sensor for detecting physiological signals within a patient, and a wearable detector for receiving sensed data from the implantable sensor. The implantable sensor comprises at least one transistor for sensing the physiological signal, at least one light source to emit light of a predetermined intensity and frequency in response to the sensed physiological signal, and a powering mechanism to power the transistor(s) and the light source(s). Advantageously, the implantable sensor can be made small enough so that it is injectable into a patient using a fine needle rather than requiring extensive surgery.