Magnetoelastic Biosensor for Early Post-Surgical Infection Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing post-surgical infections, such as periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), are inadequate for early detection, often leading to delayed diagnosis and increased morbidity and financial burden, as they do not allow for real-time monitoring of local environmental changes or early stages of bacterial colonization.

Innovation Solution

A wireless, implantable magnetoelastic-based biosensor system with differential sensors and immobilized bio-recognizers, such as antibodies, is integrated with surgical implants to detect specific bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, enabling passive, in vivo detection of post-surgical infections through resonance frequency shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current diagnostic methods (serum biomarkers, synovial fluid viscosity) are used, then diagnosis can be made with available technology, but detection is delayed until pathogen accumulation reaches sufficient levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection detection sensitivityVSAvoiddiagnosis time delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable magnetoelastic sensor is installed during the initial surgery along with the prosthesis, enabling detection at the earliest stages of bacterial colonization (48-72 hours post-surgery) before significant pathogen accumulation occurs. This preliminary positioning allows real-time monitoring from the moment of implantation, resolving the time delay inherent in post-surgical diagnostic methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical diagnostic methods (serum biomarker analysis, synovial fluid viscosity measurement) with a magnetoelastic sensing mechanism. The sensor detects bacterial presence through magnetoelastic resonance frequency shifts, providing more sensitive and earlier detection compared to conventional biochemical assays that require significant pathogen accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If invasive monitoring methods are used to achieve real-time detection, then early infection detection is possible, but patient morbidity and treatment complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time detection capabilityVSAvoidpatient morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is fully implantable and self-contained, requiring no external power source or complex monitoring infrastructure. The magnetoelastic sensor passively detects infections through resonance frequency changes that can be measured externally, eliminating the need for invasive procedures, repeated surgeries, or complex patient management protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetoelastic sensor acts as an intermediary between the implant site and external monitoring systems. It translates bacterial presence into measurable resonance frequency shifts without requiring direct contact with pathogens or invasive sampling, thereby reducing patient morbidity while maintaining reliable real-time detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional diagnostic approaches are used, then existing medical protocols can be followed, but local environmental changes and early bacterial colonization cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable magnetoelastic sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors for bacterial infections, detects local environmental changes, and can identify different types of pathogens through pattern recognition of resonance shifts. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single sensor platform that can be programmed to detect various biomarkers, eliminating the need for multiple separate diagnostic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system allows for early and continuous monitoring of post-surgical infections, reducing the need for invasive treatments and improving patient outcomes by providing real-time detection of bacterial colonization, thus minimizing the socioeconomic burden.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless, implantable magnetoelastic-based biosensor system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoelastic effects: Magnetoelastic Effects

Implementation Method 2

detect specific bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, enabling passive, in vivo detection of post-surgical infections through resonance frequency shifts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance frequency shifts: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20230371858A1Device and Method for Detection of Post-Surgical Infection and Other Disease

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

AI summary

A device for providing passive, wireless, in vivo detection of post-surgical infection in a surgical implant or prosthesis is provided. The device includes at least one magnetoelastic-based sensor associated with the implant or prosthesis. At least one magnetoelastic-based sensor is a differential sensor. Also, the differential sensor comprises a reference element and a sensing element.