Magnetic Detection of Myocardial Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring myocardial forces in engineered cardiac tissues are inefficient, requiring complex image analysis, high data storage, and processing resources, and are not suitable for massively parallel studies or non-destructive assessment of force generation.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic detection system using polymeric microposts with embedded magnetic materials and magnetometers to detect changes in magnetic fields caused by cardiac tissue contractions, filtering signals to isolate frequencies associated with cardiac tissue beating, and determining forces exerted by the tissue based on these changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex image analysis methods are used to monitor myocardial forces, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical image analysis systems with a magnetic detection system. Magnetic microposts with embedded magnets interact with cardiac tissue, and magnetometers detect magnetic field changes caused by tissue contraction. This substitution of optical detection with magnetic field detection simplifies the overall system while maintaining force measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic microposts as intermediary elements between the cardiac tissue and the detection system. These microposts contain embedded magnets that translate mechanical tissue contraction into detectable magnetic field changes, serving as a mediator that simplifies the measurement process compared to direct optical imaging.
2Measurement precision
If optical detection systems are used for monitoring cardiac tissue contractions, then measurement capability is achieved, but data storage and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems that generate large volumes of image data with magnetic field detection using magnetometers. The magnetic detection system produces simplified signal outputs that require minimal data storage and processing while still capturing essential contraction information.
3Productivity
If magnetic detection with microposts is used, then data processing requirements are reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio may be improved further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs filter circuits that selectively pass frequency ranges corresponding to cardiac tissue beating frequencies while blocking other frequencies. This frequency-based parameter filtering improves the signal-to-noise ratio by eliminating irrelevant signals while preserving the physiological information of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses filter circuits with specific frequency response characteristics that provide feedback-based signal conditioning. The filters are designed to enhance signals within the cardiac frequency range while attenuating noise, effectively using frequency-selective feedback to improve measurement quality.
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 improves signal-to-noise ratio, reduces data storage and processing requirements, enables accurate and repeatable force measurements, and allows for real-time, parallel monitoring of cardiac tissue contractions without the need for expensive optical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetometer disposed proximate to the first post. In various examples, the magnetometer may be effective to generate a signal in response to a deflection of the distal end of the first post
Implementation Method 2
a filter circuit communicatively coupled to the magnetometer. In various examples, the filter circuit may be effective to pass signals of a first frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and techniques for magnetic detection of myocardial forces are generally described. In some examples, cardiac tissue may be cultured such that the cardiac tissue adheres to a first post and a second post. In further examples, a magnetometer may detect a change in a magnetic field resulting from a deflection of the first post in a first direction from a first position to a second position. In some other examples a signal corresponding to the change in the magnetic field may be generated. In still other examples, frequencies of the signal outside of a first frequency range may be excluded to produce a filtered signal. In various examples, the first frequency range may include frequencies associated with beating of cardiac tissue. In still further examples, a force exerted by the cardiac tissue may be determined based at least in part on the filtered signal.