Implantable Vital Sign Sensor Intramural Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-invasive vital sign monitoring methods are cumbersome and less accurate for ambulatory patients, leading to compliance issues and inaccurate readings due to patient mobility and discomfort, while existing implantable sensors face challenges with blood flow obstruction and endothelial injury.

Innovation Solution

An implantable vital sign sensor with a biodegradable or biocompatible housing is inserted into the blood vessel wall, featuring a sensor module with a deflectable diaphragm to measure blood pressure waveforms, positioned adjacent to endothelial cells to avoid blood flow obstruction and promote tissue integration, ensuring accurate and stable long-term monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-invasive vital sign sensors are used for monitoring, then patient comfort and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to patient mobility and device displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidvital sign accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces non-invasive mechanical sensors (cuffs, adhesives, stethoscopes) with an implantable sensor system that uses a catheter-based delivery mechanism. The sensor is implanted within the blood vessel wall, eliminating the need for external mechanical contact while providing stable, accurate measurements不受患者移动影响

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a biodegradable or biocompatible housing as an intermediary structure that interfaces between the sensor module and the blood vessel wall tissue. This housing promotes tissue integration and stabilizes the sensor position, resolving the contradiction between comfort and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If implantable blood pressure sensors are inserted into the bloodstream, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but harmful factors increase due to blood flow obstruction, endothelial injury, thrombosis, and emboli

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pressure accuracyVSAvoidendothelial injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the sensor position from intravascular (within the blood lumen) to intramural (within the vessel wall). This dimensional change allows the sensor to measure blood pressure accurately while being separated from direct contact with flowing blood, thereby eliminating thrombosis and emboli risks while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin-walled biodegradable or biocompatible housing that can be integrated into the blood vessel wall. This flexible housing structure allows the sensor to conform to the vessel wall while minimizing mechanical stress on endothelial cells, reducing injury and inflammatory response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of stationary object

If long-term implantable sensors are used, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor longevityVSAvoidimplantation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the housing from permanent to biodegradable, allowing the housing to degrade over time while maintaining structural integrity during the critical implantation and healing period. This enables long-term sensor functionality without requiring complex retrieval mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates preliminary design features in the housing structure, such as integrated tissue promotion surfaces and pre-configured sensor positioning elements, that facilitate spontaneous tissue integration and stable sensor placement without requiring complex surgical procedures or post-implantation adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

The solution provides accurate, real-time monitoring of vital signs with reduced patient discomfort and mobility issues, minimizing endothelial injury and promoting stable, long-term sensor functionality with minimal tissue reaction.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor module with a deflectable diaphragm to measure blood pressure waveforms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11330987B2Implantable vital sign sensor

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 RTM VITAL SIGNS LLC

AI summary

An implantable vital sign sensor including a housing including a first portion, the first portion defining a first open end, a second open end opposite the first end, and a lumen there through, the first portion being sized to be implanted substantially entirely within the blood vessel wall of the patient. A sensor module configured to measure a blood vessel blood pressure waveform is included, the sensor module having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being insertable within the lumen and the proximal portion extending outward from the first open end.