Wirelessly Triggered Implantable Device for Surgical Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods struggle to accurately and non-invasively monitor internal surgical sites for healing progress and detect adverse conditions such as infection or bleeding, often requiring invasive procedures and lacking early detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wirelessly triggered device with an electrically conductive suture and an electronic circuit coated with biocompatible material, capable of receiving wireless signals and transmitting backscatter responses to monitor conditions internally without additional power sources, using a modulating circuit and responsive materials to detect specific physiopathological states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used for internal surgical sites, then invasive procedures are required to detect conditions, but this increases patient discomfort and procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive monitoring methods with a wireless electronic device that uses electromagnetic signals for detection. The device receives wireless triggering signals, converts them to electrical signals, and transmits backscatter responses, eliminating the need for physical connection or invasive procedures while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless signal as an intermediary between the external monitoring system and the internal surgical site. The wireless triggering signal and backscatter response act as mediators that transmit information without requiring direct physical contact or invasive access to the surgical site.
2Measurement precision
If wireless triggering signals are converted to electrical signals for transmission through conductive suture, then sensing capability is provided at the wound site, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic circuit with the conductive suture by coating the circuit with biocompatible encapsulating material and integrating it directly onto the suture structure. This combination provides sensing capability at the wound site while minimizing the number of separate components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive suture serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mechanical suture for wound closure and the electrical transmission medium for sensing. The electronic circuit integrated onto the suture provides both signal conversion and sensing capabilities, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If passive electronic device is used without additional power source, then long-term implantation is enabled, but energy transmission capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a passive electronic device that harvests energy from the received wireless triggering signal itself to power the signal conversion and backscatter transmission. The device uses the incoming signal's energy to operate, eliminating the need for an implanted power source and enabling long-term implantation without additional power requirements.
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 identification of internal surgical site conditions, supports wound healing, and minimizes the need for invasive procedures by providing continuous, non-invasive monitoring and real-time data on healing and potential complications.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic circuit arranged to convert a received wireless triggering signal into an electrical signal for passing through the conductive suture
Implementation Method 2
the modulating circuit operable to modulate the received wireless triggering signal to produce a backscatter response signal having a specific harmonic
Data Source
AI summary
A wirelessly triggered device for implantation in vivo is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the wirelessly triggered device comprises an electrically conductive suture; and an electronic circuit coated with a biocompatible encapsulating material and communicatively coupled to the electrically conductive suture, the electronic circuit arranged to convert a received wireless triggering signal into an electrical signal for passing through the conductive suture. A reader for use with the device and an electrically conductive surgical thread is also disclosed, among other aspects.