Thoracic Bioimpedance Patch for Real-Time Fluid and Ventilation Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioimpedance measurement systems lack reproducibility and accuracy in assessing thoracic fluid levels and ventilation status across patients with diverse physiologic characteristics, particularly in critical care settings, and current imaging methods are costly and impractical for routine use.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive multi-electrode patch applies broadband electrical stimuli to the thoracic region, using machine learning algorithms to personalize fluid and ventilation assessments based on patient-specific data, correcting for parasitic effects and modeling extravascular and intravascular compartments with a complex impedance model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional imaging modalities (X-ray, CT scan, echocardiogram) are used to assess thoracic fluid levels, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical imaging systems (X-ray, CT, echocardiogram) with an electrical field-based bioimpedance measurement system. Multiple electrodes apply electrical signals to the thoracic region and measure impedance changes to assess fluid levels, providing rapid results without the time and cost constraints of imaging modalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electrical equivalent model that copies the physiological behavior of thoracic fluid compartments. By measuring electrical impedance and modeling the extravascular and intravascular compartments, the system reproduces the diagnostic information obtained from imaging studies but in a much faster and more cost-effective manner.
2Device complexity
If single-frequency bioimpedance systems are used to monitor thoracic fluid, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the electrical stimulus from a single frequency to multiple frequencies. By applying and measuring responses at different frequencies, the system can differentiate between various tissue types and fluid compartments, significantly improving measurement precision and reproducibility while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thoracic fluid assessment into distinct frequency-based measurements. Different frequency ranges probe different tissue depths and compartments, allowing the system to separately assess intravascular and extravascular fluid levels, thereby improving overall measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If broadband electrical stimuli with multiple frequencies are applied, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration and modeling to create patient-specific electrical equivalent circuits before actual monitoring. This pre-characterization simplifies subsequent measurements by establishing baseline parameters and reducing the computational complexity of real-time signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the measured impedance data is continuously compared against the electrical equivalent model. The model parameters are adjusted based on measured responses, and this feedback loop refines the assessment of fluid compartments and ventilation status, improving precision while managing computational requirements through iterative optimization.
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 quantitatively accurate and reproducible monitoring of fluid and ventilation status in real-time, providing personalized insights and proactive alerts for clinical interventions, improving patient outcomes in critical care.
Implementation Method 1
tissue response to a broadband electrical stimulus
Implementation Method 2
bioimpedance measurement systems
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are providing for detecting and monitoring thoracic fluid, air-trapping and ventilation assessment in real time, wherein data obtained from a non-invasive electrode patch is analyzed using analysis algorithms for an electrical equivalent model that have been personalized for a patient's physiologic characteristics, medical condition and/or historical medical information using machine learning trained on a dataset representative of a large and diverse patient population. The systems and methods provide a simple, real-time, highly sensitive and specific, non-invasive, bedside solution for fluid level assessment, checking for increased air trapping, and ventilation assessment. The described methods include a variety of use cases for the inventive system and methods.