Microcirculation Assessment Device for Early Sepsis Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sepsis often goes undetected until it has progressed to severe sepsis or septic shock, leading to increased mortality rates due to delayed treatment.

Innovation Solution

A medical system that includes a microcirculation assessment (MCA) device capable of generating microcirculation data from various sensing methods, coupled with a console that processes this data to determine systemic responses, enabling early detection of sepsis and rapid treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional monitoring methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision and reliability are insufficient for early sepsis detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesepsis detection precisionVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (microcirculation assessment via OPS imaging, temperature sensing, oxygen saturation measurement, and sepsis risk analysis) into a single integrated handheld device. This merging approach enables early sepsis detection with high precision while maintaining ease of use by consolidating complex functionalities into one unified system that can be operated by healthcare providers at the patient's bedside.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of time

If early detection methods are implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to sepsis detectionVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary microcirculation assessment and baseline measurements using OPS imaging and other sensors to establish early indicators of sepsis before clinical symptoms manifest. By conducting these preliminary detections continuously or at regular intervals, the system reduces the time to sepsis detection while managing complexity through automated analysis algorithms that process the collected data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical invasive monitoring systems with optical-based detection methods (OPS imaging, infrared thermal sensing, and light absorption for oxygen saturation). This substitution enables early sepsis detection with reduced time loss while maintaining or reducing device complexity by using non-invasive optical fields instead of mechanical intrusion into the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensing methods are integrated, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystemic response assessment precisionVSAvoiddevice operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld device incorporates automated algorithms that perform sepsis risk analysis by processing data from multiple sensors (OPS imaging, temperature, oxygen saturation) without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically integrates the measurements, applies clinical criteria, and generates sepsis risk assessments, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while preserving ease of operation for healthcare providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 timely detection of sepsis, reducing the risk of progression to severe sepsis or septic shock, thereby saving lives and improving patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

skin temperature sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

transcutaneous oxygen measurement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

laser doppler flowmetry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Implementation Method 4

orthogonal polarization spectral imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250032040A1System for Monitoring Microcirculation of a Patient

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Microcirculation assessment systems and methods for determining a systemic response of a patient which may be related to sepsis. A microcirculation assessment device coupled with a patient obtains a microcirculation assessment of the patient. System logic applies an algorithm to the microcirculation assessment to indirectly determine the systemic response. Artificial intelligence and/or machine learning logic collects microcirculation assessment data and corresponding actual systemic responses to define the algorithm that correlates microcirculation assessment with systemic response. System logic may recommend a therapy based the systemic response. System logic may also govern the operation of therapy equipment to deliver a therapy. The microcirculation assessment device may utilize any suitable technology to obtain the microcirculation assessment, such as ultrasound, video capillaroscopy, or thermal imaging, for example. The microcirculation assessment device may be a wearable device or incorporated into hospital bed. Therapy may include body temperature modulation, oxygenation, or infusate delivery.