Wireless Transceiver for Medical Pressure Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood pressure transducer systems face compatibility issues with miniaturized semiconductor sensors, requiring additional circuitry and power sources due to varying excitation signal magnitudes and frequencies, leading to increased costs and complexity, and pose electrical safety risks during defibrillation procedures.

Innovation Solution

A wireless transceiver unit that establishes a reliable radio frequency connection between the pressure sensor and a communication unit, eliminating the need for physical connections and allowing self-contained wireless transmission of pressure data, compatible with standard input/output connectors like BP22 or USB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If miniaturized semiconductor sensors are used to eliminate fluid lines and improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to incompatible electrical configurations requiring additional interface circuitry and power sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection system with an optical wireless communication system. The transceiver unit uses radio frequency signals to transmit pressure data wirelessly to the external display unit, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections and complex interface circuitry between the sensor and monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (radio frequency transceiver) between the miniaturized sensor and the external monitoring system. This intermediary enables data transmission without direct electrical contact, resolving the compatibility issues between different sensor electrical configurations and monitor input requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional interface circuitry and independent power sources are added to make miniaturized sensors compatible with existing monitors, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor-monitor compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal wireless interface that can accommodate different sensor types and configurations. The transceiver unit is designed to work with various miniaturized semiconductor sensors regardless of their specific electrical configurations, providing a standardized wireless communication interface that eliminates the need for sensor-specific interface circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If physical electrical connections are used between transducer and monitor, then ease of operation is maintained, but electrical safety risks increase during defibrillation procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidelectrical safety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical connection system with an optical wireless communication system. Data is transmitted via radio frequency signals between the transceiver unit and external display unit, eliminating conductive pathways that could allow dangerous electrical currents to reach the patient during defibrillation while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances user-friendliness and reliability by eliminating the need for physical connections, reducing system complexity, and ensuring safe electrical isolation, while maintaining compatibility with existing monitoring devices.

Implementation Method 1

a transceiver unit adapted to establish a reliable radio frequency connection between the pressure sensor and a communication unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1922988B1Transceiver unit in a pressure measurement system
Publication Date: 2015.04.08 ST JUDE MEDICAL SYST
  • EP1922988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1922988B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1922988B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Pressure measurement system comprising a pressure sensor wire with a pressure sensor to measure pressure inside a patient, and to provide measured pressure data to an external device. The pressure sensor wire is adapted to be connected, at its proximal end, to a transceiver unit that is adapted to wirelessly communicate via a communication signal with a communication unit arranged in connection with an external device, in order to transfer measured pressure data to the external device. The pressure data to be transferred is generated by the transceiver unit and transferred as a data stream. Preferably, the communication signal is a radio frequency signal.