Muscle activity monitoring

The non-contact muscle activity monitoring method using mmWave FMCW radar and motion compensation addresses the limitations of existing contact-based techniques, offering accurate and cost-effective monitoring of muscle activity, including aperiodic movements, without the need for skin preparation.

WO2024264079A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2024-12-26UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/ZA2024/050028
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-06-20
Filing Date
2024-06-20
Publication Date
2024-12-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current muscle activity monitoring techniques, such as EMG and SMG, are contact-based, expensive, and require skin preparation, while non-contact methods like LDMi are limited by the cost of laser Doppler vibrometers and restricted to isometric contractions.

Method used

A non-contact muscle activity monitoring method using a wave transmitter and receiver to transmit chirps and receive primary response signals, extracting a primary phase signal to represent muscle deformation, with motion compensation to account for unwanted body motion, employing mmWave FMCW radar for accurate and cost-effective monitoring.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate, cost-effective, and non-contact monitoring of muscle activity, including aperiodic movements, without the need for skin preparation, and is applicable to both single and multiple muscles, improving upon existing methods by providing a more practical and efficient solution.

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Abstract

A system and method for muscle activity monitoring are provided. The method includes transmitting, towards a selected muscle of interest of a human or animal body, via a wave transmitter, a signal comprising a series of chirps each having a sweep time configured for a duration of a muscle activation period. The muscle of interest is spaced apart from the wave transmitter. The method includes receiving, via a wave receiver spaced apart from the muscle of interest, a primary response signal including a reflection of the signal from the muscle of interest and comprising reflections of each of the chirps in the series of chirps. The method includes extracting, from the primary response signal, a primary phase signal based on a range between the receiver and the muscle of interest. The method includes outputting a movement signal representing muscle deformation of the selected muscle of interest. The movement signal is based on the primary phase signal.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • A Camera-Augmented FMCW Radar System for Cardiopulmonary System Monitoring

    US20230172466A1

  • Systems and methods for remotely tracking life signs with a millimeter-wave radar

    WO2021165873A1