Microcirculatory Assessment System for Real-Time Blood Flow Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring blood flow in the microvasculature during surgery, such as Xe-CT and MRI, are invasive and provide limited real-time data, making it challenging to assess hemorrhage, injury progression, and neuronal activity, particularly in deep brain stimulation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A microcirculatory assessment system using conventional electrical techniques to measure changes in local blood flow in real-time, enabling closed-loop systems for controlled therapeutic interventions, such as calibrated electrical stimulation in deep brain stimulation, by correlating electrochemical impedance spectrograms with blood flow changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional non-invasive measurements (Xe-CT, MRI, PET) are used to monitor blood flow, then comprehensive blood flow information can be obtained, but patient transportation and cumbersome instrumentation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (Xe-CT, MRI, PET) with a simplified electrical measurement system using microelectrodes to record local field potentials. This substitution maintains the ability to monitor blood flow and neuronal activity while eliminating the need for cumbersome instrumentation and patient transportation.
2Speed
If Laser Doppler perfusion measurements are used to assess local blood flow, then real-time optical measurement is achieved, but invasive optical fiber implantation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive optical measurement systems with electrical recording using microelectrodes. This substitution achieves real-time monitoring of blood flow and neuronal activity through electrical field potential measurements, eliminating the need for invasive optical fiber implantation while maintaining temporal resolution.
3Measurement precision
If conventional blood flow monitoring methods are used during surgery, then blood flow assessment is possible, but surgery time increases and real-time feedback is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time monitoring of blood flow and neuronal activity throughout the surgical procedure using microelectrode recordings. This continuous measurement provides immediate feedback without interrupting the surgical workflow, unlike conventional methods that require pausing for imaging procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where local field potential recordings provide real-time information about blood flow changes and neuronal responses during surgery. This feedback allows surgeons to immediately assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and adjust procedures accordingly, reducing overall surgery time.
4Ease of operation
If deep brain stimulation is provided without real-time blood flow monitoring, then therapeutic intervention can be delivered, but accuracy of electrode placement and dosage optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses real-time monitoring of local field potentials and blood flow changes as feedback signals to verify electrode placement accuracy and optimize stimulation dosage. The system detects characteristic neuronal responses and hemodynamic changes that confirm correct positioning and appropriate stimulation intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in electrical and hemodynamic parameters during deep brain stimulation to assess therapeutic effectiveness. By tracking variations in local field potentials and blood flow, the system enables dynamic adjustment of stimulation parameters to optimize treatment outcomes.
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
Improves the accuracy of therapeutic interventions, reduces surgery time, optimizes therapeutic dosage, extends battery life of implantable devices, and decreases post-surgical visits, while providing real-time feedback for precise electrode placement and efficacy maintenance in deep brain stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a change in local blood flow in the patient in response to the therapeutic intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Rapid assessment of microcirculation in tissue to realize closed-loop systems is provided. Microcirculatory assessment systems according to embodiments described herein allow a user to assess changes in local blood flow in microvasculature in real-time using conventional electrical techniques. Some embodiments provide a closed-loop system that allows calibrated doses of electrical stimulation to be delivered in a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system depending on blood flow changes (in specific regions of the brain) being fed back to a controller. The approach described here is readily translatable with very minimal changes to existing hardware. Such closed-loop systems will improve the accuracy of electrode placement in DBS surgery and potentially reduce surgery time, optimize the delivery of electrical stimulation, increase battery life of implantable DBS systems, reduce post-surgical visits to medical practitioners and improve the quality of life of patients.