Accelerometer Cardiac Detector for High-Frequency Heart Sound Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac acoustic detectors for diagnosing coronary artery disease face challenges in detecting high-frequency sounds due to mechanical loading on the chest, sensitivity to ambient noise, and variability in signal quality, which reduces their effectiveness in capturing high-frequency acoustic signatures associated with coronary artery disease.
Innovation Solution
An accelerometer-based cardiac acoustic detector with lightweight, center-loaded or end-loaded flexible bending beams that minimize mechanical load and electrical interference, combined with signal processing to provide quantitative measurements of signal quality, enhancing sensitivity to high-frequency ranges (200-1200 Hz) and reducing noise artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chest-referenced microphones are used to detect acoustic signals, then acoustic detection capability is improved, but mechanical load on the chest increases and sensitivity to high-frequency signals decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional chest-referenced microphones with accelerometer-based sensors that measure chest motion indirectly through acceleration. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical stabilization mechanisms while maintaining detection capability through electronic sensing of motion rather than direct acoustic contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct acoustic pressure measurement to acceleration measurement. By measuring chest acceleration and converting it to acoustic signal equivalents, the system achieves high-frequency detection without the mechanical loading problems of traditional microphones.
2Measurement precision
If traditional microphones are used for cardiac acoustic detection, then acoustic energy detection is improved, but sensitivity to ambient noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic pressure-sensitive microphones with accelerometer-based detection systems. This substitution fundamentally changes how acoustic energy is detected by measuring mechanical acceleration rather than acoustic pressure, thereby eliminating sensitivity to ambient acoustic noise while maintaining sensitivity to cardiac acoustic signals.
3Weight of moving object
If flexible adhesive sensors are used to reduce mechanical load, then mechanical load on chest is reduced, but detection of compression waves and high-frequency signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flexible adhesive sensors with accelerometer-based detection systems. This substitution maintains the advantage of minimal mechanical load while overcoming the limitation of poor high-frequency detection by using electronic acceleration sensing that is inherently sensitive to high-frequency motions without requiring mechanical flexibility.
4Weight of moving object
If accelerometer-based sensors are used to reduce mechanical load, then mechanical load on chest is reduced, but signal quality and high-frequency sensitivity remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the accelerometer detection system by changing detection parameters including sensor placement, filtering characteristics, and signal processing algorithms. These parameter optimizations enhance high-frequency sensitivity and signal quality while maintaining the mechanical load advantage of accelerometer-based detection.
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 achieves high-quality, low-noise detection of high-frequency heart sounds with minimal mechanical load on the chest, providing real-time signal quality feedback and improved sensitivity to high-frequency acoustic signals, thereby enhancing the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer-based cardiac acoustic detector that converts bio-acoustic information to two electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
two thin bending beams that support mechanically sensitive transducers positioned so they are sensitive to bending moments
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an apparatus for detection of high-frequency heart sounds for diagnosing heart diseases. One embodiment utilizes an accelerometer-based detector that presents a light load to the chest, is sensitive to the desired high frequency range, and provides a quantitative measurement of the quality of the acquired signal. Two pairs of flexible beams, each having piezoelectric transducers on the upper and lower surfaces are supported by a lightweight mechanical structure. The beams are center-loaded so that they respond to the same mechanical energy and will produce identical electrical signals in the absence of noise. Through additional signal processing means the two signals can provide an estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired signal. The two signals can also be combined to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The invention is designed to be light weight, sensitive to higher frequencies, and to be relatively immune to noise.