Intraluminal Sensor with Electromagnet for Plaque Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective intraluminal sensors for multifunctional characterization of injured, stunned, infarcted myocardium, atherosclerotic plaques, and tumors, as they are unable to simultaneously measure various physiological parameters and magnetic field distributions within bodily structures.
Innovation Solution
An intraluminal sensor design featuring a catheter-mounted sensing element with a built-in electromagnet and auxiliary sensors for measuring magnetic fields, temperature, pressure, pH, and chemical composition, along with a dual beam ultrasonic transmitter to introduce mechanical vibrations and a magnetically active agent conduit for enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are used to measure different physiological parameters, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing elements (magnetic field sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, pH sensors, and chemical composition sensors) into a single integrated intraluminal sensor assembly mounted on the catheter. This merging approach allows simultaneous measurement of multiple physiological parameters while maintaining a unified device structure, thus improving measurement coverage without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intraluminal sensor is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple measurement functions through different sensing elements. The sensor assembly can measure magnetic field distributions, temperature, pressure, pH, and chemical composition, making it adaptable to various diagnostic needs while using a single device platform.
2Measurement precision
If high precision magnetic field sensing is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field sensing function is divided into multiple differential sensing elements arranged in specific configurations (single axis, plane, or multiple axes). This segmentation allows each sensing element to focus on specific magnetic field components, improving measurement precision through differential measurements while keeping individual element complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a built-in electromagnet assembly as an intermediary component that generates reference magnetic fields. This electromagnet serves as a mediator to enhance the precision of magnetic field measurements by providing known reference fields against which tissue magnetic properties can be measured, thereby improving measurement precision without directly increasing sensing element complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary sensors for multiple parameters are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges auxiliary sensing elements for temperature, pressure, pH, and chemical composition measurements with the magnetic field sensing elements into a single integrated sensor assembly. All these auxiliary sensors share common structural support, power supply, and signal processing pathways, thereby improving adaptability for comprehensive physiological monitoring while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared infrastructure.
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
Enables comprehensive characterization of areas of interest by measuring magnetic fields and distributions, identifying magnetically active agent accumulation, and analyzing data to locate vulnerable plaques, improving diagnostic accuracy for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is adapted to sense various parameters of a local magnetic field or a magnetic field distribution of an area of interest adjacent an artery, vein or other bodily structure
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic transmitter, which can be a dual beam ultrasonic transmitter, is adapted to introduce a mechanical vibration to locations with in the area of interest
Implementation Method 3
The coil is adapted to introduce a modulation to the locations with in the area of interest
Implementation Method 4
applying an ultrasonic beam to the area of interest to induce mechanical vibrations of magnetically active agents accumulated in loci within the area of interest
Data Source
AI summary
An intraluminal sensor designs for multifunctional characterization of injured, stunned, infarcted myocardium, atherosclerotic plagues and tumors are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise the sensor tips for a catheter. The tips comprises differential sensor arrangements, and use built-in electromagnet assemblies for a single or multiple axis sensing of various parameters of local magnetic field.