Thermosensitive Silicone Plate for Brain Temperature Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying epileptogenic zones during neurosurgical procedures are invasive and may affect other brain areas, lacking a precise means to differentiate brain temperature patterns.

Innovation Solution

A thermosensitive silicone plate that changes color in response to temperature, allowing for qualitative brain temperature measurements, and can be used in conjunction with electrodes for bimodal recordings of electrocorticography and thermography.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive methods (electrocorticography, stereoelectroencephalography) are used to identify epileptogenic zones, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to potential effects on other brain areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision in identifying epileptogenic zonesVSAvoideffects on other brain areas during surgery

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermosensitive plate as an intermediary device that indirectly measures brain temperature through thermal conduction from the brain surface. This mediator approach allows temperature measurement without direct invasive penetration into brain tissue, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing harmful effects on other brain areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces invasive mechanical/electrical measurement systems (electrodes requiring surgical insertion) with a thermal field-based measurement system using thermosensitive materials. This substitution eliminates the need for physical penetration into brain tissue while still achieving precise temperature mapping of epileptogenic zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate devices are used for electrocorticography and thermography, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebimodal recording capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electrocorticography electrodes and thermography measurement components into a single integrated plate structure. The thermosensitive plate incorporates both electrical recording electrodes and thermal sensing materials, allowing simultaneous bimodal recording of electrical activity and temperature patterns without requiring multiple separate devices, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dual-function measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise visual identification of temperature patterns in the brain, aiding in the differentiation of epileptogenic zones from other brain areas, and can be used in various surgical and non-surgical medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

a thermosensitive plate that allows qualitative brain temperature measurements to be taken during surgery using a thermosensitive silicone that changes color according to the temperature to which it is exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4042934B1Heat-sensitive plate for qualitatively recording the component temperature of living organisms using heat-sensitive silicone

Publication Date: 2025.05.14 DE FONT REAULX ROJAS ENRIQUE

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AI summary

This invention is in relation to a thermosensitive plate for qualitative measurement of the component temperature of living organisms by means of thermosensitive silica used in the field of medical surgery.