Skin-Penetrating Microelectrodes for Extravasation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor patches for detecting extravasation during intravenous therapy have low sensitivity to small changes in impedance, requiring skin preparation and hydration, and are unreliable for detecting small volumes of fluid leakage, leading to potential tissue damage and complications.
Innovation Solution
The use of an article with skin-penetrating microfeatures on electrodes that bypass the stratum corneum, providing a stable electrical interface and improved sensitivity to small changes in impedance, allowing for quicker detection and quantification of extravasation without the need for skin preparation or hydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor patches are used for detecting extravasation, then the device structure is simple, but the sensitivity to small changes in impedance is low and skin preparation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segments including a shaft portion and a head portion with multiple contact elements. This segmentation allows the electrode to penetrate the stratum corneum and establish multiple contact points with the skin, thereby improving sensitivity to impedance changes while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode transitions from a surface-level contact to a depth-penetrating structure by incorporating a shaft portion that penetrates the stratum corneum. This dimensional change from 2D surface contact to 3D depth penetration enables detection of small impedance changes that occur during extravasation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional electrodes are used, then the device is easy to apply, but skin preparation and hydration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft portion of the electrode is pre-configured to automatically penetrate the stratum corneum upon application, eliminating the need for preliminary skin preparation steps. The electrode's design inherently performs the skin penetration action, allowing direct application to the skin without requiring hydration or other preparatory measures.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensor patches are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to detect small volumes of fluid leakage is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The head portion of the electrode features multiple contact elements with specific local properties optimized for detecting small impedance changes. This local quality enhancement at the contact interface improves the ability to detect small volumes of extravasated fluid, while the overall device complexity remains manageable through modular design.
4Measurement precision
If skin-penetrating microfeatures are added to electrodes, then sensitivity to impedance changes improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode employs a nested structure where the shaft portion contains or supports the head portion with multiple contact elements. This nesting arrangement improves sensitivity to impedance changes by ensuring proper positioning and contact, while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient design.
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 enables accurate and reliable detection of small volumes of extravasated fluid, reducing the workload for medical practitioners and minimizing tissue damage by providing real-time monitoring and alerts for extravasation.
Implementation Method 1
determine at least one electrical parameter based on the output signal and the input signal. The controller is further configured to detect extravasation of a fluid into the tissue based on a change in the at least one electrical parameter.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an article for detecting extravasation into a tissue. The article includes a body having a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first side, and an opposing second side. The article further includes a first electrode disposed on the first major surface of the body. The first electrode includes at least one skin-penetrating microfeature. The article further includes a second electrode disposed on the first major surface of the body. The second electrode includes at least one skin-penetrating microfeature. The first electrode is electrically connected to the second electrode.