Intraluminal Flow Measurement Using Wireless RF Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring intraluminal flow, such as blood flow, face challenges due to limited space, which restricts the number and quality of device components, leading to less-than-desirable measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system utilizing a low-power ultrasonic system with continuous-wave Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry, allowing for a reduced number of electrical components and enabling continuous, real-time fluid flow velocity measurement without precise aiming, using an extraluminal component outside the body wirelessly coupled to an implantable intraluminal component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional intraluminal transducer configurations are used, then flow measurement can be performed, but measurement accuracy is reduced due to limited space restricting device components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow measurement function into separate intraluminal and extraluminal components. The intraluminal component contains only the essential ultrasonic transducers for sending and receiving signals, while the extraluminal component handles signal processing, reference signals, and data transmission. This segmentation allows the intraluminal device to remain simple and space-efficient while maintaining measurement accuracy through the extraluminal processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an extraluminal component as an intermediary that receives ultrasonic signals from the intraluminal transducers, processes them using reference signals, and transmits data wirelessly. This intermediary approach allows complex signal processing to occur outside the limited intraluminal space, improving measurement accuracy without increasing the complexity of the intraluminal device itself.
2Measurement precision
If symmetric transducer alignment is used to increase sensitivity, then flow measurement sensitivity improves, but the system becomes more complex and harder to position accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses reference signals that are automatically generated and processed by the extraluminal component, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments. The reference signals self-correct for positioning variations and provide stable baseline data for flow measurement, making the system easier to operate while maintaining high sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the extraluminal component continuously processes signals from the intraluminal transducers and adjusts measurements based on reference signals. This feedback loop compensates for positioning errors and maintains measurement sensitivity without requiring precise manual alignment of the transducers.
3Productivity
If continuous-wave Doppler sensing is used for real-time measurement, then measurement continuity improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-intensive signal processing functions from the intraluminal component to the extraluminal component. The intraluminal transducers only perform the relatively low-power function of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals, while the extraluminal component handles complex processing using reference signals. This extraction reduces the power requirements of the implantable intraluminal device while maintaining continuous measurement capability.
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 approach provides accurate, continuous measurement of fluid flow velocity with reduced power requirements, allowing for wider power delivery alternatives and increased availability for use in non-specialist environments, while preserving directional information and enabling sampling over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
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
another transducer receives echoes from the sound reflecting off of surfaces moving along with the fluid
Implementation Method 3
continuous wave Doppler sensing
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.