Tissue Impedance Measurement Using Pre-Tissue Current Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatments lack real-time, quantitative sensor data for monitoring tissue health, particularly in wound treatment, orthopedic immobilization, and internal tissue repair, relying heavily on visual inspection which can miss underlying damage.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring and therapy apparatus with excitation pads and measurement sensors that apply and measure tissue impedance, using a controller to determine tissue impedance by analyzing excitation signals, allowing for distortion removal and providing accurate impedance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used to monitor tissue health, then the monitoring method is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the measurement precision is insufficient and underlying tissue damage cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical system) with electrical impedance measurement (electrical system). Excitation pads apply electrical signals to tissue and measurement sensors detect impedance changes, providing quantitative data about tissue health that cannot be obtained through visual inspection alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical impedance as an intermediary parameter to indirectly assess tissue health. Instead of directly observing tissue condition, the system measures impedance changes caused by tissue properties, providing a reliable indicator of underlying damage without requiring direct visual access to the tissue.
2Measurement precision
If electronic circuit is used to measure tissue impedance, then the measurement capability is improved, but distortion from the electronic circuit affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separately measures the current through the electronic circuit before it reaches the tissue. By measuring the excitation signal current at multiple points and removing the circuit's contribution, the system isolates the true tissue impedance signal from circuit-induced distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by measuring the actual current through the circuit and tissue, comparing it with the applied excitation signal, and using this information to calculate and remove circuit distortion effects from the impedance measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement function into multiple segments by using several measurement sensors positioned at different locations. Each sensor measures voltage at its specific position, and the controller processes these segmented measurements to calculate impedance values for different tissue regions, providing comprehensive coverage and improved accuracy.
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 real-time, quantitative monitoring of tissue health, improving treatment efficacy by providing precise impedance data for wound care, orthopedic support, and internal tissue assessment.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of excitation pads can be configured to apply an excitation signal to tissue of a patient
Implementation Method 2
The at least one measurement sensor can be configured to measure a voltage of the tissue in response to application of the excitation signal
Implementation Method 3
The controller can be configured to determine impedance of the tissue based at least in part on the voltage measured by the at least one measurement sensor and the current of the excitation signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include excitation pads that can apply an excitation signal to tissue of a patient. The excitation pads can be connected to an electronic circuit that communicates the excitation signal to the excitation pads. The system can include a measurement sensor that can measure voltage of the tissue. The system can include a controller that can determine impedance of the tissue. The controller can be in communication with the excitation pads, the electronic circuit, and the measurement sensor. The controller can generate the excitation signal. The controller can obtain a current measurement of the excitation signal after it has been communicated through at least a portion of the electronic circuit. The current measurement can correspond to the excitation signal before it is applied to the tissue. The controller can determine impedance of the tissue based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement of the excitation signal.