Wearable Hematoma Monitor Using Tissue Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to detect internal bleeding events, such as hematomas, after vascular catheterization procedures, which can lead to serious complications due to their asymptomatic nature and the difficulty in early detection.
Innovation Solution
A wearable monitor system with emitter and detector devices that periodically assess tissue changes around the vascular access site, using modalities like Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and Ultrasound, to detect pooling of blood and hematomas, with a controller for alerting potential complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used after vascular catheterization, then the procedure is simple and cost-effective, but internal bleeding events such as hematomas cannot be detected early
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical examination and traditional mechanical monitoring methods with optical sensing technology. The wearable monitor uses light-based detectors to measure tissue optical properties, automatically detecting hematoma formation without requiring mechanical intervention or complex imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable monitor enables patients to self-monitor for hematoma formation continuously after catheterization. The device automatically detects tissue changes and alerts patients or healthcare providers, eliminating the need for frequent manual checks by medical staff and empowering patients to monitor their own condition.
2Loss of time
If manual examination methods are used to detect hematomas, then the equipment is simple, but detection is delayed until clinical symptoms appear
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable monitor performs preliminary detection of hematoma formation by continuously monitoring tissue optical properties before clinical symptoms appear. The device detects subtle changes in tissue characteristics that precede visible swelling or pain, enabling early intervention before the hematoma becomes clinically significant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback through automatic monitoring and alerting mechanisms. When the wearable monitor detects tissue changes indicative of hematoma formation, it immediately notifies the patient or healthcare provider, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enables rapid response to developing complications.
3Reliability
If frequent manual checks are performed to ensure early detection, then detection accuracy improves, but patient discomfort and healthcare resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable monitor provides continuous, uninterrupted monitoring of the access site without requiring repeated manual examinations. The device maintains constant surveillance of tissue optical properties, ensuring reliable detection of hematoma formation at any time while allowing the patient to move freely and maintain normal activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of manual physical examination with automated optical sensing. The wearable monitor uses light-based detection to continuously assess tissue conditions without requiring physical contact or manipulation by healthcare providers, eliminating patient discomfort associated with repeated manual checks.
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 early detection of bleeding events and hematomas, reducing the risk of serious complications by providing timely alerts and allowing for immediate intervention.
Implementation Method 1
using modalities like Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)
Implementation Method 2
Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasound
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable monitor is configured for early detection of internal bleeding events and particularly hematomas after vascular catheterization including cardiac catheterization. The wearable monitor is placed over an access location following the vascular catheterization procedure and the wearable monitor system periodically runs diagnostic test to detect changes in the tissue around the vascular access location. An emitter device may input an emitter input into the tissue and a detector device may then measure the emitter input after it has passed through the tissue, an emitter output. A computer may receive the data from the detector device and operate a program that determines changes in the tissue and in particular, pooling of blood in the tissue. The emitters may be electrodes that input an electromagnetic input, or an ultrasound emitter that inputs ultrasound sound waves, or a Near IR emitter that emits Near IR electromagnetic radiation.