Wireless Implantable Optoelectronic Catheter for Intravascular Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic catheter oximeters for monitoring intravascular oxygen saturation are limited by their rigid glass fibers, which can cause adverse events such as blood vessel damage and infection, and are tethered to external hardware, restricting patient mobility and complicating simultaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A thin, flexible optoelectronic catheter probe with miniaturized light-emitting diodes and photodiodes encapsulated in soft silicone, connected to a wearable electronic module for wireless, real-time measurements, eliminating physical tethers and using Bluetooth protocols for data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hard glass fiber waveguides are used to deliver light, then light delivery efficiency is improved, but mechanical safety and patient comfort deteriorate due to rigidity causing blood vessel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid glass fiber to flexible polymer optical fiber, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties while maintaining optical functionality. This allows the catheter to be soft and flexible for patient safety while still delivering light effectively for oximetry measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with polymer optical fiber embedded in a flexible catheter body, combining the optical properties needed for light delivery with the mechanical flexibility required for safe intravascular implantation and long-term wear
2Measurement precision
If fiber optic catheter connects to external hardware, then measurement functionality is achieved, but patient mobility is restricted due to physical tethers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source and detection electronics from external hardware and integrates them directly into the catheter tip, eliminating the need for external connections and physical tethers. This enables wireless operation while maintaining accurate oximetry measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the catheter itself - light delivery, light detection, signal processing, and wireless communication - allowing the device to operate independently without external hardware, thereby enabling patient mobility while maintaining measurement precision
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid glass fiber catheter is used, then structural stability is maintained, but device safety deteriorates due to mechanical complications and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from rigid glass to flexible polymer, fundamentally altering both the mechanical stability characteristics and the biocompatibility profile. The flexible polymer provides adequate structural stability for catheter function while dramatically improving safety by eliminating mechanical trauma and reducing infection risk
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
The solution provides accurate, continuous monitoring of intravascular oxygen saturation with reduced adverse events and increased patient mobility, matching the precision of clinical standards for pulse oximetry and intravascular oximetry.
Implementation Method 1
The probe tip includes high-performance, miniaturized light-emitting diodes and photodiode
Implementation Method 2
light-emitting diodes and photodiode
Implementation Method 3
transmit some fraction of the backscattered light back to an external unit for detection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optoelectronic system. The optoelectronic system includes an optoelectronic probe operably attached to a target region of a subject; and an electronic module coupled with the optoelectronic probe for wireless, real-time, and continuous measurements of physiological information of the subj ect.