Optical Nerve Monitoring Probe for Intraoperative Tissue Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoperative electrical stimulation of nerves poses risks of tissue injury and limited visual selectivity due to mechanical irritation and electrical artifacts, making it difficult to analyze nerve stimulation responses, especially in the pelvic region.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement using optical or high-frequency stimulation with probes that generate radiation or sound waves to distinguish neuronal from non-neuronal tissue, eliminating the need for direct contact and reducing artifacts, and incorporating sensors for temperature monitoring and EMG recording to ensure precise and gentle stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation probes are used for intraoperative nerve monitoring, then nerve stimulation and monitoring can be performed, but tissue injury risk increases and visual selectivity is limited due to mechanical irritation and probe size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation probes with optical stimulation and detection systems. Optical radiation (light) is used to stimulate nerves and detect responses without mechanical contact, eliminating the tissue injury risk associated with physical probe insertion while maintaining reliable nerve monitoring capability through non-contact optical interaction with neural tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical radiation as an intermediary between the stimulation source and the nerve tissue. Instead of direct electrical contact through probes, light serves as the medium to deliver stimulation and carry information about nerve responses, thereby avoiding mechanical irritation and improving visual selectivity through optical properties of neural tissue
2Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation is used for nerve monitoring, then nerve function can be assessed, but electrical artifacts complicate signal recording and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical stimulation and detection with optical methods. By using light to stimulate nerves and detect responses through optical fibers and sensors, the system eliminates electrical artifacts that contaminate signal recordings. The optical detection measures light absorption, reflection, or transmission changes in response to nerve stimulation without generating electrical interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful electrical artifacts from the monitoring system by removing electrical stimulation and detection components. The system isolates the nerve monitoring function from electrical interference by using purely optical methods for both stimulation and signal detection, thereby achieving cleaner signal analysis
3Ease of operation
If contact probes are used for nerve stimulation, then direct nerve activation is achieved, but mechanical irritation of tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact probes with optical radiation for nerve stimulation. Light can penetrate tissue and activate nerves without physical contact, maintaining stimulation effectiveness while eliminating mechanical irritation. The optical system delivers energy through electromagnetic radiation rather than mechanical insertion and contact
4Reliability
If bipolar fork-shaped probes are used for stimulation, then nerve activation is achieved, but the stimulation result depends on electrode orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces orientation-dependent electrical electrodes with optical radiation sources. Optical stimulation is less sensitive to orientation because light can interact with neural tissue through absorption and scattering properties that are more isotropic. The optical system maintains consistent stimulation effects regardless of the precise angular alignment, reducing the dependency on electrode orientation
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
This approach minimizes tissue damage and interruptions during surgery by allowing for precise differentiation of neuronal tissue and reducing artifacts, enabling effective intraoperative monitoring with improved surgical flow and reduced risk of temperature-related harm.
Implementation Method 1
a first probe (1) coupled to at least one first light source (8) to emit light radiation
Implementation Method 2
or at least one sound source (18) to generate sound waves
Implementation Method 3
a first sensor (3) for performing reflection measurements
Implementation Method 4
the first sensor (3) with the associated evaluation unit (10) includes a temperature measurement and temperature monitoring function
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring assembly comprises probes (1, 4) for inserting into a body, the first probe (1) being coupled to at least one light source (8) or acoustic source in order to generate a stimulation signal and the second probe (4) being arranged in order to detect a response signal of a target organ. The stimulation signal is suitable for differentiating between neuronal tissue and non-neuronal tissue, whereas the response signal is detected as an EMG signal or pressure signal. The two probes are connected to a monitoring computer (15) via control- (9, 13) and evaluation devices (10, 14).