Vascular Access Monitoring via Impedance Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extracorporeal blood treatment devices face challenges in reliably monitoring vessel access, particularly with the risk of venous needle dislodgment leading to potential patient bleeding, and require costly conductive coupling points and separate body electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A device with an electrically conductive puncture needle and a non-conductive base body with an integrated contact element, where the puncture needle serves as one electrode and the base body's contact element serves as the second, measuring impedance to detect correct vessel access without additional electrodes or conduit contacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate body electrodes and conduit contacts are used for monitoring vessel access, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel access monitoring accuracyVSAvoidnumber of electrodes and contacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the puncture needle and base body into a single integrated electrode assembly. The puncture needle serves as one electrode and the base body with its contact element serves as the second electrode, merging multiple functions into one component. This eliminates the need for separate body electrodes and conduit contacts while maintaining monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode assembly serves multiple functions: it creates the vessel access through the puncture needle, provides electrical contact through the conductive elements, and enables monitoring of vessel access status. The base body both anchors the needle and provides the second electrode contact, making the system multi-functional and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conductive coupling points are applied to monitor vessel access, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel access monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable electrode assembly that is integrated into the puncture device. The conductive elements are built into the single-use needle and base body structure, eliminating the need for expensive reusable conductive coupling points. This approach maintains reliability through consistent electrical contact while reducing manufacturing costs through simpler, disposable construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is constructed from electrically non-conductive material that incorporates a conductive contact element, creating a composite structure. This allows the insulating base body to provide mechanical support and anchoring while the embedded conductive element provides electrical contact, achieving reliable monitoring without requiring expensive separate conductive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If additional electrodes and conduit contacts are added for monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpedance measurement accuracyVSAvoidapplication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring electrodes are merged with the puncture needle assembly itself. The puncture needle and base body form the complete electrode system that is applied in a single action, eliminating the need to separately apply body electrodes and attach conduit contacts. This integration dramatically simplifies the application process while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution allows for reliable monitoring of vessel access without additional expenditure, eliminating the need for separate body electrodes and conduit contacts, ensuring timely detection of disconnection or dislocation, thus preventing patient bleeding and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

measuring an impedance between the puncture needle and the contact element of the base body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS8105277B2Device and method for monitoring a vascular access, and device for creating a vascular access

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for creating a vascular access for extracorporeal blood treatment including an electrically conductive puncture needle with a proximal endpiece, a distal endpiece, and a base body made of electrically non-conductive material into which the distal endpiece is inserted. In a properly arranged vascular access, the base body, including an electrically conductive contact element, lies on the skin of the patient, when the puncture needle is located within the vessel of the patient. A disconnection or dislocation is detected by the impedance between the electrically conductive puncture needle and the electrically conductive contact element being measured and compared to a limit value. If the impedance measured is within predetermined limits, this indicates a properly arranged vascular access. A disconnection or dislocation of the puncture needle leads to a strong variation in the impedance.