RF Tag Masking Element for Non-Invasive Fluid Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring fluid flow in implantable medical devices, such as hydrocephalus shunts, are not sufficiently accurate and require heating or cooling equipment, making them invasive and cumbersome for measuring cerebrospinal fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
An implantable sensor with a radio frequency tag and a masking element that moves in response to fluid flow, altering its resonance frequency, harmonic spectra, or decay characteristics to indicate flow rate, allowing for non-invasive and direct measurement of fluid flow without the need for heating or cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature differential method is used to measure fluid flow, then flow measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to heating or cooling equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow measurement function from complex thermal systems and implements it through a simple magnetic coupling mechanism between an implantable sensor and an external reader, eliminating the need for heating or cooling equipment while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field-based measurement system with a magnetic field-based system, where magnetic flux changes in response to fluid flow are detected wirelessly, substituting complex thermal management equipment with simple magnetic sensing
2Measurement precision
If heating or cooling equipment is used for flow measurement, then flow rate can be measured, but invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the implantable device, placing the complex reader equipment externally while leaving only a simple magnetic sensor in the implant, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field coupling as an intermediary between the implantable sensor and external reader, allowing non-invasive wireless communication of flow data without requiring direct physical connections or complex implanted components
3Measurement precision
If conventional flow sensors are used, then flow measurement is possible, but ease of operation decreases due to complex retrieval methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback where the implantable magnetic sensor continuously monitors fluid flow and wirelessly transmits data to an external reader, eliminating the need for manual measurement retrieval and simplifying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the sensor system to automatically perform measurement and data transmission functions without requiring user intervention for data retrieval, with the external reader automatically receiving and processing flow information wirelessly
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 accurate and non-invasive monitoring of fluid flow in implantable medical devices, providing a straightforward method to retrieve measurements remotely, applicable to a wide range of fluid flow applications.
Implementation Method 1
The response of the radio frequency tag can have at least one characteristic, such as a resonant frequency, harmonic spectra, decay characteristic, and Q factor, that corresponds to the flow rate
Implementation Method 2
The masking element, for example, can include a conductive member that alters the response of the radio frequency tag by covering at least a portion of it
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods useful for non-invasively measuring and indicating a rate of fluid flow are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor housing adapted to received fluid flow therethrough is provided. A radio frequency tag and a masking element can be disposed in the sensor housing. The masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions or movement can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the housing. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag in correspondence to the flow rate, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag's response to the wireless signal.