Vascular Lumen Sensing for Closed-Loop Patient Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatment systems lack accurate and real-time monitoring of patient fluid status, leading to inefficiencies and potential complications such as hypovolemia or hypervolemia, especially in treatments like diuresis and dialysis, due to reliance on indirect surrogates like urine output and weight sensors.
Innovation Solution
Integration of vascular dimension monitoring sensors within the patient's vascular lumen to provide real-time, accurate fluid status information, enabling closed-loop control of interventional therapies such as diuretics and fluid infusion, optimizing fluid management systems like assisted diuresis, direct sodium removal, and IVC/SVC occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect surrogates like urine output and weight sensors are used to monitor patient fluid status, then the system can operate with simpler equipment, but the measurement precision and reliability of fluid status monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical measurement methods (urine output collection, weight sensors) with optical measurement principles. The vascular dimension sensor uses optical techniques to measure vascular dimensions and calculate fluid status, eliminating the need for complex mechanical monitoring systems while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vascular dimension as an intermediary parameter to indirectly assess fluid status. Instead of directly measuring fluid volume through complex systems, the sensor measures vascular dimensions which correlate with fluid status, providing a simpler and more accurate monitoring approach.
2Reliability
If real-time accurate fluid status monitoring is implemented, then the reliability of fluid management improves, but the device complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with optical measurement techniques. The vascular dimension sensor uses optical principles to provide real-time, accurate fluid status monitoring, improving reliability without requiring complex mechanical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to be implantable and autonomous, performing self-calibration and continuous monitoring without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains high reliability while minimizing the complexity of external monitoring systems.
3Productivity
If traditional fluid monitoring methods are used, then the system remains simple, but the loss of time in achieving optimal fluid balance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time monitoring of vascular dimensions to track fluid status changes. This continuous measurement enables immediate detection of fluid imbalances and continuous adjustment of therapy, eliminating the delays associated with intermittent traditional monitoring methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback on fluid status through continuous vascular dimension monitoring. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of fluid management therapy, significantly reducing the time to achieve optimal fluid balance compared to traditional methods.
4Measurement precision
If indirect monitoring surrogates are employed, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision deteriorates leading to potential complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect mechanical monitoring surrogates with direct optical measurement of vascular dimensions. This substitution eliminates the inaccuracies and harmful effects associated with surrogate measurements, providing precise fluid status information that prevents complications like hypovolemia and hypervolemia.
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 the accuracy and efficiency of fluid management therapies by maintaining optimal fluid balance, reducing the need for cumbersome Foley catheters, minimizing drug doses, and preventing complications like hyponatremia and hypovolemia, while maximizing urine output and fluid removal.
Implementation Method 1
a vascular dimension monitoring sensor configured to be positioned within a vascular lumen and to monitor changes in dimension of the vascular lumen resulting from changes in patient fluid state
Data Source
AI summary
Patient fluid management systems, particularly for use in treating patients at various stages of heart failure, are disclosed. Disclosed systems employ vascular dimension monitoring sensors to provide accurate, early, real-time estimation of circulating blood volume as an input metric to the system control, allowing for more accurate modulation of treatment based on the patient's current fluid volume state.