Oxygen-Sensing Microparticles in Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring oxygen levels within implanted devices are inadequate, as they cannot accurately determine oxygen concentrations inside the implant, leading to insufficient oxygen supply for cells, which can result in cell death due to hypoxic conditions.

Innovation Solution

An implantable system with oxygen-sensitive microparticles embedded in a polymer matrix, which emit radiation that correlates with oxygen levels, allowing for non-invasive or invasive detection of oxygen concentrations using an electro-optical probe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current oxygen measurement methods are used, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision is insufficient and cannot accurately determine oxygen concentrations inside the implant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen concentration measurement accuracyVSAvoidimplant structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant incorporates porous alginate microcapsules that allow oxygen diffusion while containing the oxygen-sensitive microparticles. The porous structure enables oxygen to reach the sensing particles from the surrounding tissue, allowing accurate internal oxygen measurement without complex external access mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electronic oxygen sensors with an optical sensing system using oxygen-sensitive microparticles that emit light signals in response to oxygen concentration. This optical approach eliminates the need for complex electrical connections and power sources within the implant, reducing device complexity while improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If oxygen levels are not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but cell survival is compromised due to hypoxic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell survival rateVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxygen-sensitive microparticles autonomously detect oxygen levels and emit optical signals without requiring external power or control systems. The particles self-regulate their luminescence based on local oxygen concentration, providing reliable cell survival monitoring through a passive, self-powered mechanism that minimizes system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The porous alginate microcapsule structure enables oxygen diffusion to the sensing particles while maintaining a protective environment for encapsulated cells. This same structure allows real-time oxygen monitoring that ensures cell survival without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Measurement precision

If invasive oxygen detection is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to surgical implantation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal oxygen level detection accuracyVSAvoidimplantation procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The oxygen sensing function is merged directly into the implant structure itself, with microparticles incorporated within the implant matrix. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensing components and reduces implantation complexity, as the monitoring capability is built-in rather than added as a separate invasive element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical sensing mechanism replaces complex mechanical or electronic sensor assemblies that would require sophisticated implantation procedures. The microparticles can be uniformly distributed within the implant material during manufacturing, simplifying the implantation process while maintaining high measurement precision through non-invasive optical detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 continuous or intermittent measurement of oxygen levels within implants, improving cell survival by ensuring sufficient oxygen supply and providing real-time data for monitoring implant performance and vascularization.

Implementation Method 1

the radiation-sensitive dye is configured to emit an emission radiation upon excitation by a radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

the radiation sensitive dye can be configured to interact with oxygen within the implant thereby quenching the emission radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuenching:

Data Source

PatentUS10149640B2Measuring oxygen levels in an implant, and implants having incorporated oxygen sensing

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and techniques for measuring oxygen levels of an implant. The implant can have a plurality of oxygen-sensitive microparticles incorporated throughout. The oxygen-sensitive microparticles can receive light and emit excitation light in response. The levels of excitation light emitted can be directly related to oxygen concentration in the implant.