Intraluminal Flow Measurement Using Electronic Signal Referencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring intraluminal flow, such as blood flow, face limitations due to restricted space within biological structures, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and the need for precise alignment of transducers, which can be challenging in non-specialist environments.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system utilizing low-power ultrasonic technology with continuous-wave Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry, allowing for accurate fluid flow velocity measurement without requiring precise transducer alignment, and enabling real-time, continuous monitoring of blood flow within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional continuous wave Doppler methods are used with transducers positioned on opposite sides of a lumen, then the system is responsive to velocity components along the midline between transducers, but the space required for transducer positioning is increased and alignment precision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of relying on precise physical alignment of transducers, the invention uses electronic referencing and signal combination to achieve accurate flow measurements. The mechanical positioning complexity is substituted with electronic signal manipulation, where the phase relationship between reference and measurement signals provides the alignment information that would otherwise require mechanical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference signal as an intermediary element. This reference signal acts as a mediator between the transducers and the measurement process, allowing the system to compensate for misalignment. By comparing the phase of the received signal against this intermediate reference, the system can electronically correct for positioning errors without requiring precise mechanical alignment.
2Measurement precision
If transducers are positioned on the same side of a lumen with oblique aiming, then the sampling region can be shaped, but measurement accuracy is reduced due to limited space and alignment challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of relying on precise physical alignment of transducers, the invention uses electronic referencing and signal combination to achieve accurate flow measurements. The mechanical positioning complexity is substituted with electronic signal manipulation, where the phase relationship between reference and measurement signals provides the alignment information that would otherwise require mechanical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from absolute position to phase difference. By measuring the phase difference between the reference signal and the signal reflected from flowing blood cells, the system can determine flow velocity without requiring precise knowledge of the absolute positions of the transducers. This parameter transformation makes the system much easier to operate in limited spaces.
3Measurement precision
If intraluminal space is limited, then fewer device components can be used, but measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference signal generation and measurement signal reception into a single intraluminal transducer unit. Instead of requiring separate transducers for reference and measurement, the invention combines these functions into one compact device that can be positioned within the lumen. This merging of functions allows accurate flow measurement while maintaining a small device volume suitable for intraluminal placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The intraluminal transducer is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a reference signal source and as a measurement signal receiver. This universal transducer performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining measurement accuracy through electronic signal processing.
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
This system provides accurate, real-time fluid flow velocity measurements with reduced power requirements, allowing for wider application in non-specialist settings and improved measurement accuracy by preserving directional information and reducing the need for complex external device alignment.
Implementation Method 1
continuous wave Doppler methods in which a transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal and another transducer receives echoes from the sound reflecting off of surfaces moving along with the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal and another transducer receives echoes from the sound reflecting off of surfaces moving along with the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system and method is conducive for a low-power ultrasonic system that can use continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry. Applications include measurement of blood flow in situ in living organisms. Implementations include an extraluminal component located outside of a body, such as a human or animal body, containing a lumen. The extraluminal component can be wirelessly coupled via an RF magnetic field or other RF field to an implantable intraluminal component. The intraluminal component (i.e. implant) is implanted inside of the lumen of the body such as a heart or elsewhere in a vasculature (such as in a dialysis shunt). The intraluminal component can telemeter, via RF electromagnetic signals, flow data directly out of the body housing the intraluminal component to be received by the extraluminal component.