Implantable Sensor Trend Analysis Using Activity Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable sensors often fail to effectively monitor dynamic medical parameters over time due to their inability to sense static information, necessitating a method to retrieve and analyze long-term trends from dynamic signals.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an implantable sensor that uses a controller to obtain sensed signals at different activity levels, a comparator to determine relations with a reference signal, and a trend determining unit to analyze these relations, allowing for the creation of a pseudo-zero-level for trend analysis, and incorporating a piezoelectric pressure sensor for cardiac use, along with activity and posture sensors to improve trend analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If implantable sensors are used to monitor medical parameters, then long-term monitoring capability is improved, but the ability to sense static information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing reference signals at predetermined activity levels before actual monitoring occurs. The controller obtains reference signals at multiple predetermined activity levels and stores them for later comparison, enabling trend analysis without requiring the sensor to directly sense static information during the actual monitoring period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary reference signals that mediate between the dynamic sensor output and the medical parameter analysis. These reference signals serve as a bridge, allowing the system to infer static information indirectly through comparisons of dynamic signals at different activity levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between long-term monitoring and static information sensing.
2Ease of operation
If dynamic sensor signals are used for monitoring, then implantability and patient comfort are improved, but measurement precision for static parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter approach by transitioning from measuring static values directly to measuring dynamic signal characteristics at multiple activity levels. The controller analyzes changes in signal parameters across different activity states, allowing precise inference of static parameter trends while maintaining the ease of implantable dynamic sensing.
3Measurement precision
If reference signals are obtained at multiple activity levels, then trend analysis accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the activity spectrum into multiple predetermined activity levels. The controller separately obtains and stores reference signals at each activity level, then processes them independently through comparison and analysis operations. This segmented approach improves trend analysis accuracy while managing complexity through systematic organization of data across discrete activity states.
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 long-term monitoring and trending of medical parameters, reducing patient discomfort and hospitalization by providing reliable dynamic signal analysis and enabling heart failure diagnostics and stimulation control.
Implementation Method 1
the implantable sensor is a piezoelectric pressure sensor. In this sensor, which is primarily intended for cardiac use, the indifferent electrode lead is coated by piezoelectric material, such that the output signal of the sensor contains both electric and pressure information
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining variation over time of a medical parameter of a human being obtained from a sensed signal has a sensor implantable in the human being for sensing the signal. A comparator compares at least one characteristic property, derived from the sensed signal obtained for at least one predetermined first level of activity of the human being, with corresponding reference property of a sensed reference signal, obtained for a predetermined reference level of activity of the human being, for determining a relation between the characteristic property of the sensed signal and the reference property. A trend determining unit determines trends in the medical parameter by analyzing the relation between the characteristic property of the sensed signal obtained at different times and the reference property. A corresponding method also function an implant for heart failure diagnostics also function as described. A sensor is then arranged to pick up dynamic mechanical information from the heart of the human being and generate a corresponding signal. A heart stimulator includes such an implant and a control unit arranged to control stimulation of the heart depending on determined trends in the medical parameter.