Abstract
This invention is related to artificial intelligent (AI) system with biodegradable endovascular nanoscale-structured flowmeter layer for monitoring cerebral blood flow during mental performance, blood flow through in-stent re-stenosis (ISR) and thromboembolism. The invention is based on blood flow inducing changes in magnetization of nanoscale microwave ferrites. These changes in magnetization, then interact with the microwave in a frequency-dependent manner using a microprocessor for processing and transmission via cellular phone network to human-machine interface for control of computers, machines or weapon systems. It detects reduction of blood flow through ISR and microembolic signals due to thromboembolism of the vessel much earlier before severe symptoms develop.
Claims
1. A system for cerebral blood flow measurement comprising: a flow sensor layer on a vascular stent or matrix placed inside a cerebral vessel, wherein the said flow sensor is for monitoring mental performance of a subject.
2. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor layer further comprising a nano-structured layer of microwave ferrites.
3. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measured mental performance is the mental state-of-being of the subject.
4. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measured mental performance determines the neurocognitive strategy for intelligent decision-making.
5. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor monitors cerebral blood flow in conditions comprising cerebral ischemia, sleep, syncope, effects of positive Gz-acceleration and seizures.
6. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance simultaneously in a number of subjects on a computer network.
7. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance used to control computers, machines and weapon systems, by communication through human-machine interface comprising wireless cellular phone network.
8. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance and communicates with the AI computer program for regulation of autonomy decision-making level in a network comprising avionic computer system, high-security network and digital financial transaction network.
9. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance as the working memory in a patient with diseases comprising neurodegenerative disease, stroke, depression, and psychiatric disorders.
10. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 1, wherein the said flow senor measures mental performance used to control function of machinery comprising robotic limbs, artificial limbs, construction machines, and tele-medicine equipment.
11. A system for cerebral blood flow measurement comprising: a flow sensor layer of nano-structured microwave ferrites on a biodegradable vascular stent placed inside the cerebral artery; signals from said microwave ferrites are processed and transmitted by a microprocessor for monitoring mental performance of a subject.
12. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor monitors mental performance for control of devices comprising driver-less car, tele-surgery, construction equipment, anti-gravitational suit and extravehicular activity suit.
13. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance used as mental signature during processing of stimuli comprising facial, color, odor, linguistic, non-linguistic stimuli, cognitive biometric stimuli and forensic stimulus analysis.
14. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance synchronized with function of other devices comprising cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, implantable drug delivery system, electroencephalograph, Doppler ultrasound, laser Doppler, brain electrical potential, and pain stimulator devices.
15. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance used to determine changes in the hormonal fertility cycle.
16. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance used as mental signature for access to high security computer network comprising digital financial transactions, air-traffic control, nuclear plant, ammunition and advanced military weapons and avionic systems.
17. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance used to control activities comprising speech production, computer-aided speech and other speech impairments in subjects.
18. The system for cerebral blood flow measurement as in claim 11, wherein the said flow sensor measures mental performance for diagnosis and treatment of diseases comprising depression, sleep abnormality, autism, dyslexia, schizophrenia, stroke, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.
19. A system for blood flow measurement comprising: a flow sensor layer of nano-structured layer of a vascular stent or matrix inside a vessel, said flow sensor detects micro-embolic signals passing through the vessel for effective thrombolysis.
20. The system for blood flow measurement as in claim 19, wherein the said flow sensor detects in-stent re-stenosis of the vessel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0167] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
[0168] FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of one form of embodiment of the present invention.
[0169] FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of another modification of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0170] FIG. 3 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent according to the present invention.
[0171] FIG. 4 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent during placement in the vessel on a catheter according to the present invention.
[0172] FIG. 5 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent put in place in the vessel according to the present invention.
[0173] FIG. 6 shows the arteries of the brain blood circulation.
[0174] FIG. 7 shows the arteries of the Circle of Willis that supply blood to the major brain areas.
[0175] FIG. 8 shows the stent with the inner surface of the vascular stent deployed in an artery of the Circle of Willis to monitor cerebral blood flow according to the present invention.
[0176] FIG. 9 shows one type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites on the surface layer of the present invention.
[0177] FIG. 10 shows another type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites arranged on the surface layer of the present invention.
[0178] FIG. 11 shows yet another type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites arranged on the surface layer of the present invention.
[0179] FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the present invention affixed to a vessel in the brain and the transmission and reception of microwave signals.
[0180] FIG. 13 shows the flow chart of function of the computer program of the present invention, illustrated by way of example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0181] FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of one form of embodiment of the present invention. The AI-NANOFLOWMETER layer is placed on the surface of vascular endothelium 1, for the purpose of monitoring mental activity 2, which correlates with changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) 3. The changes in CBF induce variations in frequency of the nano-structured surface of the stent 4. A microprocessor processes and transmits the frequency variations 5, to an AI computer for human-machine interface 6. The microprocessor could be programmed to apply spectral analysis including using Fast Fourier Analysis for the processing of the frequency variations. The CBF spectrum could be displayed on a device operatively connected to receive microwave signals from the microprocessor such as a cell phone. The human-machine-interface could facilitate input into the function of machines such as computers, medical devices and weapons systems; for example, a cardiac pacemaker could be synchronized to cerebral blood flow measurements using the present invention.
[0182] FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. The AI-NANOFLOWMETER layer is placed on the surface of vascular stent 7, for the purpose of monitoring CBF through the stent 8, as well as detect microembolic signals 9, arising from thromboembolism of the vessel orifice of the stent. The changes in CBF and the presence of microembolic signals induce changes in the frequency composition from the nano-structured surface of the stent 10. The microprocessor processes and transmits the frequency variations 11, to an AI computer for diagnosis of the problem 12.
[0183] FIG. 3 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent according to the present invention. It shows a section of a stent, comprising a small, metal mesh tube. The section of the strut of the stent 13, has on and in-between the scaffold the inner cover layer of black polygons comprising nano-scale microwave ferrites. The polygons cover the entire inner surface of the stent. The stent is inserted into a blood vessel in a collapsed state on a catheter. The stent could be self-expanding, that is, sheathed in retractable delivery system and spontaneously expands. The stent could be mounted on an angioplasty balloon called balloon-mounted, which could be inflated to deploy. The surface of the stent could be covered as well with medication and is called drug-eluting stent. The stent could be made from biodegradable polymer, metal alloy with drug coating.
[0184] FIG. 4 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent during placement in the vessel on a catheter according to the present invention. It shows a catheter and balloon 14 for delivery of the stent with its surface covered with black polygons of nano-scale microwave ferrites. The delivery of the stent is facilitated by a catheter and balloon 14. The balloons and stents come in different sizes to match the size of the diseased artery. They are expanded inside the vessel to prop the walls open in the case of narrowing. The inner surface is covered by polygons of nano-scale microwave ferrites as shown. The guide wire of the catheter delivery system and balloon 14 are used to place the stent in the desired position. The procedure for placement of the stent is similar to that described for vascular angioplasty for endovascular intervention [Silva et al. 1996]. In angioplasty, a balloon-tipped catheter is used to open a blocked blood vessel and improve blood flow. In the present invention, we apply medical imaging, typically live x-rays, to guide the catheter to the desired position of the stent, then the balloon is inflated to attach the stent to the vessel wall and allow blood flow through. The stent is left inside the blood vessel, in case the vessel was narrow at the point of placement, it will help keep it open. Just like in angioplasty, the placement of the stent is minimally invasive and usually does not require general anesthesia or overnight stay in the hospital.
[0185] FIG. 5 shows a schematic microscopic surface on the vascular stent put in place in the vessel according to the present invention. It shows the stent in place expanded inside the vessel. The stent inner surface layer 15 has on and in-between the scaffold the nano-scale microwave ferrites. The nano-structured layer is the inner surface of the stent in direct contact with flowing blood.
[0186] FIG. 6 shows the arteries of the brain blood circulation. It shows the location of the arteries of the brain at the base of the skull 16 into which the stent could be placed.
[0187] FIG. 7 shows the arteries of the Circle of Willis that supply blood to the major brain areas. It shows the arteries of the Circle of Willis 17 that supply blood to the major brain areas, comprising the right anterior cerebral artery (RACA) 18, the right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) 19, right posterior cerebral artery (RPCA) 20, and basilar artery (BA) 21. The stent could be implanted in one artery on the right, left or both sides depending on the indication for use.
[0188] FIG. 8 shows the stent with the inner surface of the vascular stent deployed in an artery of the Circle of Willis to monitor cerebral blood flow according to the present invention. It shows the mesh of stent 22 expanded inside the vessel and the inner surface covered by the nano-scale microwave ferrites shown as black polygons in direct contact with the flowing blood.
[0189] FIG. 9 shows one type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites on the surface layer of the present invention. The microwave ferrites at the centre 23 represented by black polygons are activated by blood flow projectile at the center.
[0190] FIG. 10 shows another type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites arranged on the surface layer of the present invention. The microwave ferrites (black polygons) closer to the vessel walls 24 are activated by boundary layer flow conditions at the walls.
[0191] FIG. 11 shows yet another type of activation pattern (black polygons) of the microscopic nano-structure of microwave ferrites arranged on the surface layer of the present invention. The microwave ferrites (black polygons) closer to the walls 25 of the stent are activated by flow at the boundary layer, while those at the center have been activated by the central projectile. The microwave ferrites are usually less than 50 nm in size 26.
[0192] FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the present invention affixed to a vessel in the brain and the transmission and reception of microwave signals. A stent 27 with the inside surface layer made according to the teachings of the present invention and implanted in the brain artery. The cerebral blood flow through the arterial stent 28 induces changes in frequency of the microwave ferrites proportional to velocity 29, which varies according to the location of the ferrites, with frequency from the center projectile 30, highest in systole 31, lower at the near-wall 32 at the beginning of diastole 33, and at the wall in end-diastole 34, the frequency is least 35. The frequency changes sum up across the stent material 36, and are processed by the microprocessor 37 for onward transmission 38. The processing may include spectral analysis of the frequency signals that could be processed with a spectrum analyzer. The microwave antennae 39 could also re-transmit 40 the information to a microwave receiver such as a cell phone 41, host computer or weapon system.
[0193] FIG. 13 shows the flow chart of function of the computer program of the present invention, illustrated by way of example. The system starts 42, monitoring the CBF in both MCAs during baseline activity 43. The baseline measured CBF values are stored 44. The system monitors CBF during the study mental activity 45, which is compared to the baseline data 46. If the values of CBF are within the set limits 47, then it continues the monitoring of CBF. However, if the values of CBF are not within the set limits, it proceeds to check for artifacts. If artifacts are present 48, it continues to monitor CBF, however, if not present, the system compares CBF on the right and left sides of the brain 49, by calculating the laterality index (LI) 50:
[00002]
[0194] The actual magnitude of lateralization (LI) for each time interval for each paradigm is calculated as the difference between LI′ values measured during the time of the task and the corresponding time segment at baseline:
[00003]
[0195] In general, positive LI values suggest right lateralization, while negative LI values suggest left lateralization. Zero LI values showed no lateralization from the baseline condition or possible bilateral response. If the subject is a man, then right hemisphere lateralization could be presumed to be for intelligent decision, while in women, a left hemisphere lateralization would be presumed to be for the intelligent decision 51. The information is transmitted to the AI computer 52 for applications of the AI algorithm, for example, for regulation of autonomy decision-making level in the network.
