Universal Electronic Toolset for Implantable Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic toolsets for programmable implantable bodily fluid drainage valves are often incompatible with multiple generations of valves, requiring multiple toolsets and making it difficult for medical personnel to determine the correct toolset to use based on the implanted valve's generation, especially when orientation functionality is involved.

Innovation Solution

A universal electronic toolset that uses a magnetic field detection sensor array to automatically switch between different generations of programmable implantable valves with or without orientation functionality, detecting the presence of a fixed reference magnet to determine the valve's orientation and adjust settings accordingly, either electronically or through manual palpation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of electronic toolsets are maintained for different valve generations, then compatibility with various valve generations is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to store and select the correct toolset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with valve generationsVSAvoidtoolset management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic toolset is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple generations of programmable implantable valves (e.g., first generation without reference magnet, second generation with reference magnet). The toolset automatically detects the valve type and adjusts its operation accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized toolsets and reducing management complexity while maintaining broad adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If X-ray imaging is used to identify valve generation, then measurement precision of valve characteristics is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to radiation exposure to patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve generation identification accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/X-ray imaging system with a magnetic field-based detection system. The electronic toolset uses magnetic sensors to detect the presence and position of reference magnets on the valve, enabling precise identification of valve generation and orientation without requiring X-ray imaging. This substitution eliminates radiation exposure to patients while maintaining or improving measurement precision through non-invasive magnetic field sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual palpation is used to determine valve orientation, then ease of operation is improved by avoiding electronic detection requirements, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reliance on operator skill and tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation determination simplicityVSAvoidorientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic toolset provides real-time feedback to the operator during the orientation determination process. Magnetic sensors detect the position of reference magnets and provide visual or auditory guidance to help the operator accurately align the toolset with the valve orientation. This feedback mechanism combines the ease of manual operation with the precision of electronic detection, guiding the operator through the alignment process while ensuring accurate orientation determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 seamless operation across various valve generations, reducing the need for multiple toolsets and minimizing errors in selecting the appropriate toolset, thus improving efficiency and safety in adjusting valve settings without exposing patients to unnecessary X-ray imaging.

Implementation Method 1

Using a magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset it is determined whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3632495B1An electronic toolset for use with multiple generations of implantable programmable valves with or without orientation functionality based on a fixed reference magnet

Publication Date: 2021.05.26 INTEGRA LIFESCI SWITZERLAND SARL

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Figure 4A

AI summary

A method for using a universal electronic toolset for indicating and adjusting of an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve 100 regardless of whether the valve includes a fixed reference magnet 800 used to determine an angle of orientation of the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve or not. A magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset determines whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve. If the presence of the fixed reference magnet is detected then the center and direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit is ascertained via electronic feedback from the electronic toolset; otherwise, the center and direction flow is ascertained via exclusively by manual physical palpation of the valve.