Magnet Shield Cage for Implantable Drainage Valve Sensor Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic toolsets for adjusting implantable bodily fluid drainage valves require recalibration and re-zeroing after setting adjustments, leading to increased procedural time and risk of human error due to residual magnetic fields from adjustment tools influencing sensor arrays.

Innovation Solution

An improved electronic toolset with a ferromagnetic system component disposed in a magnet shield cage made of a metallic alloy with high permeability, preventing residual magnetic fields from affecting sensor arrays, allowing for direct confirmation of valve settings without recalibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an adjustment tool with magnetic elements is used to change the valve setting, then the valve setting can be adjusted non-invasively, but residual magnetic fields may overload sensors or influence other tools resulting in incorrect readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive valve adjustmentVSAvoidsensor reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A ferromagnetic shield cage acts as an intermediary component between the magnetic adjustment tool and the sensor array. The shield cage temporarily contains residual magnetic fields during adjustment operations, preventing them from overloading the sensor array. After adjustment, the shield cage allows the magnetic field to dissipate safely, ensuring accurate sensor readings without requiring tool removal or recalibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ferromagnetic shield cage provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and containing residual magnetic fields before they can reach and overload the sensor array. This protective measure is in place before any adjustment operation occurs, preventing potential sensor damage or reading errors from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If recalibration and re-zeroing are performed after adjustment, then sensor accuracy is restored, but procedural time is increased and risk of human error is elevated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor array accuracyVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ferromagnetic shield cage serves as a mediator that enables continuous accurate measurements without interruption. By containing residual magnetic fields during adjustment, it eliminates the need for recalibration steps, allowing the indicator tool to maintain accurate readings throughout the entire adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield cage enables continuous useful action by allowing the indicator tool to continuously read valve settings accurately throughout the adjustment process without requiring removal or recalibration. This maintains the continuous flow of accurate measurement information throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the electronic toolset remains in place during adjustment, then procedural efficiency is improved, but residual magnetic fields may cause incorrect determination of valve location and orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural efficiencyVSAvoidvalve location and orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ferromagnetic shield cage acts as a mediator that protects the locator and indicator tools from residual magnetic field interference while remaining in place. It contains the magnetic fields during adjustment operations, allowing continuous accurate tracking of valve location and orientation without requiring tool removal or re-calibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 eliminates the need for recalibration and re-zeroing, reducing procedural time and minimizing human error by shielding ferromagnetic components from residual magnetic fields, ensuring accurate detection and confirmation of valve settings.

Implementation Method 1

a ferromagnetic system component disposed in a magnet shield cage made of a metallic alloy having a permeability μz≥approximately 1.0×10−4 to prevent magnetic fields produced by the at least one magnetic element in the adjustment tool during the adjusting step from influencing the sensor array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10850080B2Electronic toolset to locate, read, adjust, and confirm adjustment in an implantable bodily fluid drainage system without recalibrating following adjustment

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 INTEGRA LIFESCI SWITZERLAND SARL

AI summary

A method of using an electronic toolset for locating, reading, adjusting and confirming adjustment of an implantable bodily fluid drainage system without requiring recalibration following adjustment from a current valve setting to a new valve setting using an electronic toolset including an adjustment tool having a magnetic element and an indicator tool including a sensor array. The need to remove the electronic toolset from the patient to recalibrate or zero the sensor array prior to confirming the new valve setting is eliminated. This is realized by disposing a ferromagnetic system component of the indicator tool in a magnet shield cage made of a metallic alloy to prevent magnetic fields produced by a magnetic element in the adjustment tool during the adjusting step from influencing the sensor array.