Miniaturized Sensing Probe with Needle Unit for Tissue Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors are too large for implantation in tissues, and existing methods for monitoring biological values and diagnosing peripheral vascular disease are invasive, time-consuming, and lack precision, especially for real-time monitoring during medical procedures and food safety evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized sensing probe with a probe substrate and needle unit, integrating temperature, pH, and ionic sensors, which can be easily placed into tissues or food samples, using a silicon or flexible biocompatible substrate, and a manufacturing method involving electroplating and inkjet processes to form electrodes and PVC layers for enhanced sensitivity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used for monitoring biological values, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the sensor size is too large for implantation in tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within a needle unit structure, where the probe substrate with sensor elements is inserted into a hollow needle container. This nesting allows the sensor to be delivered through a small gauge needle (23-gauge or smaller) while maintaining the functional area of the sensor elements for accurate biological value monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar sensor layouts to a three-dimensional needle-based structure. The probe substrate is configured to fit within the cylindrical needle unit, utilizing the third dimension (depth/length of needle insertion) to accommodate sensor elements that maintain their functional area while reducing the insertion footprint.
2Loss of time
If conventional monitoring methods are used after surgery, then patient conditions can be monitored, but real-time monitoring during surgery cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is prepared and loaded into the needle unit before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary preparation allows the sensor to be immediately deployed for real-time monitoring during surgery without requiring complex post-surgical setup or intervention, thereby eliminating time delays in monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If angiography is performed to diagnose peripheral vascular disease, then vascular obstruction location can be identified, but tissue necrosis determination requires extensive surgical experience and cannot provide real-time data
Solution Approach 1:
The probe substrate integrates multiple sensor elements that can simultaneously monitor various biological parameters (temperature, pH, oxygen levels, etc.) at the tissue level. This multi-functional capability allows the single device to provide comprehensive information for both vascular obstruction detection and tissue necrosis assessment, replacing multiple separate diagnostic procedures.
4Measurement precision
If thousands of food items are evaluated through sampling tests, then food safety can be assessed, but tremendous manpower resources and expenses are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual sampling and laboratory analysis with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor elements on the probe substrate can directly detect biological parameters in food samples, providing rapid safety assessment without requiring extensive human labor for sampling, handling, and analysis of multiple food items.
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
Enables effortless and precise monitoring of biological values in real-time, facilitating early diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease and myocardial ischemia without intervention, and rapid food safety assessment, with increased sensitivity and stability due to the miniaturized and flexible design.
Implementation Method 1
a manufacturing method involving electroplating and inkjet processes to form electrodes
Implementation Method 2
inkjet processes to form electrodes and PVC layers
Data Source
AI summary
A miniaturized sensing probe and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The miniaturized sensing probe includes: a probe substrate including a probe part and a circuit connection part; a sensor disposed on the probe part and electrically connected to the circuit connection part; and a needle unit used to accommodate the probe part of the probe substrate; wherein the sensor performs sensing when placed into an analyte through the needle unit and transmits a sensing signal through the circuit connection part. The miniaturized sensing probe of the present invention may be easily placed into the analyte without the use of other instrument or surgery. This means is of benefit to a clinician performing an early diagnosis on a patient with a peripheral vascular disease or monitoring the biological value of the muscle during surgery in real time.