Tri-Modal Brain Sensor for Simultaneous Electrical, Thermal, and Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical technologies lack the capability to simultaneously and accurately record brain temperature and pressure alongside electrical activity from the same locus, limiting the assessment of brain health and function, and often rely on proxy measurements that do not accurately reflect brain tissue conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tri-modal sensor system that incorporates electrical, temperature, and pressure sensors, allowing for the simultaneous recording of these signals from a single probe, reducing trauma and increasing information content, and utilizing Surface Acoustic Wave sensors to measure temperature and pressure with minimal interference from external noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate sensors are used to measure electrical activity, temperature, and pressure, then each signal can be detected, but the device complexity increases and trauma to the brain tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical, temperature, and pressure sensing capabilities into a single integrated sensor probe that can be implanted at one location. This merging of multiple sensor functions into one device reduces the number of separate surgical interventions needed and minimizes overall trauma to the brain tissue while maintaining the ability to detect all three signal types simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor probe is designed with multi-functionality, serving as an electrical sensor, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor all within a single device. This universal design allows the same implant to monitor multiple brain parameters, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors and reducing cumulative trauma from multiple implantation sites.
2Ease of operation
If proxy measurements are used instead of direct brain tissue measurements, then the measurement process is simplified, but the accuracy of brain health assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect proxy measurements with direct mechanical sensing of brain tissue conditions. By using a mechanically integrated sensor probe that directly contacts or邻近 brain tissue, the system measures electrical activity, temperature, and pressure at the actual site of interest, eliminating the need for proxy measurements and providing accurate direct assessment of brain health.
3Loss of information
If a single probe records multiple signals, then information content increases and trauma is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring each signal type increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct channels for electrical, temperature, and pressure signals. By separating the processing of different signal types within the single probe system, the complexity of measuring and analyzing each signal is managed through dedicated processing pathways, making the overall system more manageable while maintaining high information content.
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 detection and assessment of seizures and brain function by providing redundant information on temperature, pressure, and electrical activity, improving the accuracy of seizure detection and therapy efficacy while minimizing data loss due to noise contamination.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing Surface Acoustic Wave sensors to measure temperature and pressure with minimal interference from external noise
Implementation Method 2
utilizing Surface Acoustic Wave sensors to measure temperature and pressure with minimal interference from external noise
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a medical device system, comprising: a medical device capable of receiving a plurality of body signal types, wherein the body signal types comprise an electrical body signal, a temperature body signal, or a pressure body signal; and an electrode operatively coupled to the medical device, the electrode capable of sensing a plurality of body signal types, wherein the body signal types comprise an electrical body signal, a temperature body signal, or a pressure body signal; the electrode comprising: an electrical sensor; a temperature sensor; and a pressure sensor.