Implantable Sensor Volume Conduction Powering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable intravascular pressure sensors face challenges such as short operational life due to battery power, bulkiness that hinders miniaturization and deep implantation, lack of hermeticity, and inability to perform continuous monitoring or simultaneous measurement from multiple sensors, leading to reliability and invasiveness issues.
Innovation Solution
An implantable intravascular pressure sensor using a hermetic capsule with a partially flexible portion and digital electronic circuit powered and interrogated via volume conduction (galvanic coupling), allowing for miniaturization, continuous monitoring, and selective addressing of multiple sensors without bulky components or surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If passive LC resonant circuits are used for powering the implant, then the device can be implanted, but the coils require a relatively large diameter which hinders deep implantation and miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical LC resonant coupling system with a purely electrical volume conduction system. Instead of using magnetic fields and resonant coils, the invention uses direct electrical conduction through the body volume to power and interrogate the implantable sensor, enabling miniaturization while maintaining reliable power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters from magnetic resonance frequency coupling to electrical conduction through body tissues. This parameter change allows the use of much smaller electrode dimensions while achieving effective power transfer, directly resolving the contradiction between size and power transfer efficiency
2Duration of action of moving object
If active electronics with internal power generation are used, then continuous monitoring is enabled, but the device becomes bulky and requires surgical implantation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power generation mechanism from the implantable sensor itself and relocates it to an external source. The body volume and external electrodes assume the power generation function, allowing the implant to be minimized to only the essential sensing elements, thereby enabling continuous monitoring without bulky components
Solution Approach 2:
The external electrodes serve multiple functions: they generate power for the implant, provide interrogation signals, and serve as a reference for measurements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power generation components within the implant, reducing device complexity while maintaining continuous operational capability
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive external measurement systems are used, then patient comfort is improved, but the systems require specific patient actions and cannot perform continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places a miniaturized active sensor inside the body (within the vessel wall or lumen) while nesting the power and control electronics externally. This nested configuration allows the implantable component to be extremely small and simple, eliminating the need for patient actions while enabling continuous monitoring through the externally controlled 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 reliable, long-term, and continuous monitoring of intravascular pressure with reduced invasiveness and miniaturization, allowing for simultaneous operation of multiple sensors and avoiding the need for batteries, thus improving the accuracy and feasibility of intravascular pressure measurement.
Implementation Method 1
powered and excited by volume conduction (also known as galvanic coupling)
Implementation Method 2
A hermetic capsule comprising at least a partially flexible portion. Said portion enables pressure transmission from the capsule outside to its inside
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an implantable pressure sensor for measuring pressure, comprising a hermetic capsule (3) with a partially flexible portion; an electronic circuit (4) housed in the capsule (3) generating a transduction pressure signal dependent on the absolute pressure outside the capsule (3); an electrode pair (5, 5′) connected to the electronic circuit (4). The electronic circuit (4) comprises: a digital control unit (29); an interrogation stage (25) receiving an interrogation signal transmitted by volume conduction to the electrode pair (5, 5′), to generate a transduction pressure signal and to transmit it to a medium (15); and a power transferring stage (9) receiving part of the interrogation signal power and transferring power to the digital control unit (29) and to the interrogation stage (25). The invention further comprises a system comprising one or more pressure sensors and a reading unit; and the method for interrogating and powering said system.