Thermodynamic Blood Flow Estimation During Stroke Intervention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging systems provide incomplete and impractical snapshots of metabolic rates and blood flows, making it challenging to monitor changes during endovascular interventions, especially in acute ischemic stroke, and fail to assess tissue death or survival based on measured metabolic rates.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a controller, temperature sensors, and a pump to vary infusate flow rates, allowing for continuous estimation of hemodynamic characteristics like metabolic rates and blood flow, and influencing drug delivery during endovascular interventions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If imaging systems (PET, SPECT, MRI) are used to estimate metabolic rates and blood flows, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to repetitive scans being impractical and economical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetabolic rate estimationVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex imaging systems (PET, SPECT, MRI) with a thermodynamic-based measurement system using temperature sensors and heat transfer equations. This substitution maintains measurement precision for metabolic rate and blood flow estimation while enabling continuous monitoring during endovascular interventions, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct imaging (complex, time-consuming) to temperature-based thermodynamic measurements (simple, continuous). By measuring temperature changes and applying heat transfer equations, the system derives metabolic rate and blood flow parameters continuously without the limitations of repetitive imaging scans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If imaging systems are used during endovascular interventions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to significant delays and interruptions in therapy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological variable estimationVSAvoidintervention duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming imaging systems with a rapid temperature-based measurement system that provides continuous physiological data during endovascular interventions. This substitution eliminates the need to pause or delay procedures for imaging scans, maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous measurement of physiological variables throughout the entire endovascular intervention without interruption. The temperature-based system operates continuously during the procedure, eliminating the discontinuous nature of pre-procedure or post-procedure imaging scans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If traditional drug delivery routes (oral, intravenous, dermal) are used, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to vascular endothelial toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug administrationVSAvoidvascular endothelial toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables localized drug delivery directly to the target tissue through intra-arterial administration. By delivering drugs locally to the specific region requiring treatment rather than systemically through traditional routes, the system maintains ease of operation while minimizing harmful effects on non-target tissues and vascular endothelium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses controlled temperature changes as an intermediary to modulate drug delivery and metabolism. By manipulating temperature, the system controls blood flow and metabolic rate, thereby influencing drug extraction fraction, metabolism, and local toxicity, reducing harmful effects while maintaining effective drug delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If intra-arterial drug delivery is performed without knowledge of regional blood flow and metabolism, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for drug dosing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring systemVSAvoiddrug dosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the body's own thermal properties and heat transfer processes to provide measurement data. The temperature sensors measure natural temperature changes and heat transfer, which are then used to calculate regional blood flow and metabolic rate. This self-service approach provides the necessary physiological data without requiring complex external monitoring systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex monitoring systems with a simple temperature-based measurement approach. By measuring temperature changes and applying thermodynamic equations, the system derives blood flow and metabolic rate data needed for accurate drug dosing, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 practical and economical monitoring of regional blood flow and metabolism, improving patient selection, reducing secondary injuries, and enhancing treatment effectiveness during endovascular interventions.

Implementation Method 1

an insertion device comprising at least one temperatures sensor thereon, the insertion device functionally coupled to the controller to provide at least one temperature measurement of a subject's organ to the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a pump functionally coupled to the controller for the controller to vary an infusate flow rate to induce temperature changes in at least a portion of the subject's organ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPerfusion induced temperature changes: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the controller operable to store the at least one measure of the temperature of an organ to the controller during perfusion induced temperature changes in at least a portion of the subject's organ, and further operable to estimate at least one hemodynamic characteristic of at least a portion of the subject's organ based on the at least one temperature measurement obtained during perfusion induced temperature changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal dilution method:

Data Source

PatentUS10363364B2Devices for estimating regional metabolic rate of organs based on heat generation and for estimating regional blood flow(s) for the volume(s) of tissue perfused

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 HYBERNIA MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

The present application provides systems that include a controller, and an insertion device with at least one temperatures sensor thereon and a pump coupled to the controller. The insertion device provides temperature measurement(s) at/of a subject's organ to the controller and the controller varies an infusate flow rate to induce temperature changes in at least a portion of the subject's organ and stores the temperature measurements during perfusion induced temperature changes on a memory device. The controller may estimate at least one hemodynamic characteristic of at least a portion of the subject's organ based on the temperature measurements obtained during perfusion induced temperature changes.