Subcutaneous Implantable Sensor for Heart and Lung Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable monitoring devices for heart failure and pulmonary conditions are complex and pose a growing risk of infection, requiring continuous self-care management and monitoring that is not thoroughly effective in detecting abnormal states such as heart failure and pulmonary edema.
Innovation Solution
An implantable monitoring device with sensors to measure posture, activity, electrocardiogram (ECG), pulmonary impedance, heart movement, thorax movement, and respiratory quotient (RQ), using electrodes and an analog circuit to process bioinformation and a processor to monitor abnormal states, transmitting signals for potential heart and lung conditions based on reference values classified by posture and activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lead electrode is inserted into the heart for monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but the risk of infection and procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the heart interior to the subcutaneous tissue. The implantable monitoring device is positioned in the subcutaneous fat layer, extracting the need for intracardiac lead electrodes while maintaining monitoring capability through non-invasive sensing of cardiac electrical activity and mechanical motion from outside the heart chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces subcutaneous tissue as an intermediary medium between the monitoring device and the heart. The device senses cardiac activity through the chest wall and subcutaneous layers, using these tissue layers as mediators to transmit electrical and mechanical signals from the heart to the sensor without direct contact with the heart interior.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to monitor various physiological parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the implantable monitoring device to perform multiple monitoring functions using a single integrated system. The device simultaneously measures electrical activity (ECG), mechanical motion (accelerometry), and respiratory parameters, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing capabilities (electrical sensors, motion sensors, respiratory sensors) into a single implantable device housing. The processor integrates data from all sensors, and the communication module transmits consolidated information, merging multiple functions into one unified system rather than using separate devices.
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
The device effectively monitors abnormal heart and lung states, reducing the risk of infection by continuous, precise monitoring and early detection of conditions like heart failure and pulmonary edema, facilitating timely medical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
obtain the pulmonary impedance by analyzing an AC voltage between the electrodes measured when the AC generated through the current generator is supplied
Implementation Method 2
a voltage amplifier configured to amplify an AC voltage between the electrodes
Implementation Method 3
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog signal based on the AC voltage to a digital signal based on a direct current (DC) voltage
Implementation Method 4
a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure at the implantation position to measure one or more of the movement of the heart, the movement of the thorax, and the RQ
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable monitoring device includes first sensors to measure state information of one or both of a posture and an activity of a user and second sensors to measure bioinformation of two or more of an electrocardiogram (ECG) of a heart of the user, a pulmonary impedance of a lung of the user, a movement of the heart, a movement of a thorax including the lung, and a respiratory quotient (RQ) of the lung, two electrodes to detect bioinformation to measure one or both of the ECG and the pulmonary impedance, an analog circuit to process the detected bioinformation to measure the one or both of the ECG and the pulmonary impedance, and a processor to monitor an abnormal state of the heart and the lung of the user based on the state information and the bioinformation.