Inline Fluid Characterization With Multimodal Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inaccurate estimation of fluid passage, such as blood loss or gain during medical procedures, leads to unnecessary medical resource consumption, clinical risks, and increased costs due to incorrect transfusion decisions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for inline fluid characterization using sensor arrangements with ultrasound, optical, and thermal sensors to quantify flow and concentration of fluids in conduits, enabling precise estimation of fluid passage through conduits under varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional estimation methods are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision is insufficient leading to inaccurate fluid passage estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid passage estimation accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (ultrasound flow sensors, optical sensors, thermal sensors) into a single integrated sensor arrangement that couples to the conduit. This merging of sensing modalities enables comprehensive fluid characterization including flow rate, fluid type identification, and temperature measurement, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: measuring flow rate via ultrasound, detecting fluid composition optically, and monitoring temperature thermally. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide comprehensive fluid passage data, improving estimation accuracy without requiring separate specialized devices for each measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of substance

If inaccurate fluid estimation systems are used, then device complexity is low, but loss of substance increases due to unnecessary transfusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood loss estimation accuracyVSAvoidcharacterization system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or visual estimation methods with sensor-based measurement systems. Ultrasound sensors provide non-invasive flow measurement, optical sensors enable fluid type identification without contact, and thermal sensors monitor temperature. This substitution eliminates the need for manual assessment and reduces blood loss estimation errors, thereby reducing unnecessary transfusions while accepting increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If real-time fluid characterization is implemented, then productivity improves through faster decision making, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid monitoring speedVSAvoidsensor arrangement energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement enables continuous real-time monitoring of fluid passage throughout the surgical procedure. Ultrasound, optical, and thermal sensors operate continuously to provide uninterrupted data on flow rate, fluid composition, and temperature. This continuous measurement allows immediate detection of fluid loss and informs real-time transfusion decisions, improving productivity while managing energy consumption through efficient sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

Accurately characterizes fluid passage in real-time, reducing unnecessary transfusions, improving patient outcomes, and minimizing operational costs by providing precise fluid loss or gain data during medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

sensor arrangements with ultrasound, optical, and thermal sensors to quantify flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

sensor arrangements with ultrasound, optical, and thermal sensors to quantify flow and concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

sensor arrangements with ultrasound, optical, and thermal sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12350415B2Systems and methods for inline fluid characterization

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A system performs a method for characterizing passage of a patient fluid through a conduit. The method includes quantifying flow of fluidic content through a conduit, where the fluidic content includes a patient fluid, estimating a concentration of a fluid component of the patient fluid in the fluidic content, and characterizing passage of the patient fluid loss through the conduit based on the quantified flow and the concentration of the fluid component. At least one of the quantified flow or the concentration of the fluid component is based on sensor data from a sensor arrangement coupled to the conduit. Other apparatus and methods are also described.