Sensor Plaster for Transcutaneous Kidney Function Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining kidney function, particularly glomerular filtration rate, are complex, invasive, and prone to high errors, making them unsuitable for routine clinical practice and ambulant settings.
Innovation Solution
A sensor plaster system that uses a fluorescence-marked indicator substance and integrated optical components, including a radiation source and detector, for non-invasive, transcutaneous measurement of kidney function, allowing for simple and reliable assessment of renal clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods for determining kidney function are used, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical analysis systems with an optical measurement system. A sensor plaster equipped with light sources and photodetectors measures fluorescence signals from indicator substances in the skin, substituting invasive blood sampling and complex laboratory analysis with a simple optical detection system that provides reliable kidney function data through non-invasive transcutaneous measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an indicator substance as an intermediary that accumulates in the skin proportionally to kidney function. This substance serves as a mediator between the internal kidney function state and the external measurement system, allowing indirect but reliable measurement of glomerular filtration rate through fluorescence detection without direct access to blood or urine samples.
2Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes invasive mechanical procedures (blood draws, catheter insertions) with a non-invasive optical measurement system. The sensor plaster with integrated light sources and photodetectors measures fluorescence through the skin, providing precise kidney function data without causing patient discomfort or requiring complex procedural steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system utilizes the patient's own skin and naturally accumulating indicator substances as the measurement medium. The sensor plaster applies measurement light through the skin and detects returned fluorescence signals, allowing the body's own tissues to serve as part of the measurement system, thereby eliminating the need for external sampling or preparation procedures.
3Measurement precision
If complex analytical methods are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming chemical and biochemical analysis procedures with immediate optical detection. The sensor plaster measures fluorescence signals in real-time, providing rapid kidney function assessment without requiring sample collection, transport, or laboratory processing, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing measurement time and improving clinical productivity.
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 fast, reliable, and non-invasive measurement of kidney function with reduced error, suitable for ambulant settings, using a sensor plaster with organic light-emitting diodes and photodetectors for fluorescence detection, improving patient convenience and clinical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one radiation source (142), in particular comprising an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescence-marked indicator substance and integrated optical components, including a radiation source and detector, for non-invasive, transcutaneous measurement of kidney function
Implementation Method 3
The sensor plaster system uses a fluorescence-marked indicator substance and integrated optical components, including a radiation source and detector, for non-invasive, transcutaneous measurement of kidney function
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor plaster (116) for the transcutaneous measurement of an organ function, more particularly of a kidney function, is proposed. The sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one flexible carrier element (134) having at least one adhesive surface (138) which can be stuck onto a body surface. Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one radiation source, more particularly a light source (142), wherein the radiation source is designed to irradiate the body surface with at least one interrogation light (162). Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one detector (146) designed to detect at least one response light (176) incident from the direction of the body surface.