Non-invasive Skin Sensor for Cardiac Performance Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing cardiac performance are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive, leading to many patients with serious cardiovascular conditions going untested until problems become severe.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive sensor apparatus that captures readings from the skin to generate cardiac performance indicators using various sensors, such as temperature, pH, and oxygen saturation, and integrates with external devices to provide real-time monitoring and alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive techniques such as Swan-Ganz thermal dilution catheter insertion are used to assess cardiac performance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheter insertion system with a non-invasive optical sensor system that uses light transmission through the skin to measure cardiac performance parameters, eliminating the need for physical insertion into the pulmonary artery while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces skin transmission as an intermediary medium to measure cardiac performance without direct internal access, using the skin as a window to detect blood flow and cardiac function through optical means rather than requiring direct intravascular placement
2Measurement precision
If invasive cardiac performance testing is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous, real-time cardiac performance monitoring through the non-invasive sensor system that can operate continuously without interruption, eliminating the time-consuming setup and teardown procedures associated with invasive catheter insertion and allowing ongoing assessment during patient activities
3Measurement precision
If invasive cardiac performance testing is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive invasive mechanical catheter insertion and thermal dilution measurement system with a low-energy optical sensing system that uses minimal power for light transmission and signal processing, dramatically reducing the energy resources required for cardiac performance assessment
4Ease of operation
If non-invasive sensor readings are used to assess cardiac performance, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional optical sensors that can simultaneously measure multiple parameters including blood flow, oxygen saturation, and cardiac output by analyzing different aspects of light transmission, thereby achieving comprehensive cardiac performance assessment with a single non-invasive device that maintains measurement precision across multiple metrics
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 early detection of cardiac performance issues without invasive procedures, allowing for timely intervention and potentially preventing more severe complications.
Implementation Method 1
sensor readings captured from the skin of the patient to generate an indicator of the patient's cardiac performance... including but not limited to temperature, pH, electrical connectivity, and oxygen saturation
Data Source
AI summary
Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance. A wide variety of different sensor components can capture sensor readings relating to patient attributes. Those sensor readings can then be compared by a processor component to derive a cardiac performance indicator relating to the patient.