Tissue Impedance Measurement Using Pulsed Excitation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatments often lack real-time, quantitative sensor data for tissue monitoring, particularly in wound care, orthopedic treatments, and internal tissue repair, relying on visual inspection or limited means, which can obscure underlying tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sensor-enabled substrates into treatment regimes, including garments, cushions, and surgical drapes, to collect and transmit tissue impedance data, utilizing energy harvesting and communication with external devices for improved monitoring and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional electrical cardioversion is used, then cardiac arrhythmia can be treated, but patient movement during the procedure causes measurement errors and reduces treatment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies electrical energy in periodic pulses rather than continuous waves, allowing measurement windows between pulses when tissue impedance is stable. This periodic pulsing enables accurate impedance measurements to be taken during intervals when the patient is less likely to move, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors tissue impedance and uses this feedback to adjust the timing and delivery of electrical energy. When impedance changes indicate patient movement, the system can pause energy delivery and retry measurements, maintaining accuracy without requiring the operator to physically restrain the patient.
2Reliability
If electrical energy is delivered to defibrillate or cardiovert, then cardiac arrhythmia is treated, but tissue heating and burns may occur
Solution Approach 1:
By delivering electrical energy in periodic pulses with controlled duty cycles rather than continuous delivery, the system achieves effective cardioversion while allowing tissue to cool between pulses. This reduces cumulative heating and burn risk while maintaining treatment efficacy through repeated sub-threshold stimulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers partial energy in multiple smaller pulses rather than one excessive high-energy shock. This distributed energy delivery achieves the same therapeutic effect with lower peak power, reducing tissue heating and burn hazards while maintaining reliability of arrhythmia treatment.
3Measurement precision
If impedance measurements are taken continuously, then patient movement can be detected, but energy delivery interruptions reduce treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic impedance measurements at strategically timed intervals rather than continuous monitoring. Measurements are taken during natural pauses in energy delivery when patient movement is less likely, providing sufficient movement detection accuracy without requiring frequent interruptions that would reduce treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary impedance measurements before each energy delivery sequence to establish baseline values. This allows movement detection without interrupting the main treatment protocol, as the baseline is already established and can be used for comparison during continuous monitoring.
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
Enhances real-time monitoring of tissue health, enabling better diagnostic and patient management decisions, and providing continuous data collection for wound healing and surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an impedance of the tissue using the impedance data and the model
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
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.