Acoustic Lung Fluid Detection via Signal Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting fluid accumulation in internal organs, such as the lungs, are either invasive, impractical for emergency situations, or lack sensitivity, particularly for non-invasive and rapid assessment outside a hospital environment.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using audio signals from internal organs, processed by a trained classifier to detect fluid accumulation levels, employing feature extraction techniques like mel-frequency cepstral coefficients and perceptual linear prediction coefficients, and utilizing sensors positioned on the body to acquire and analyze these signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated methods like X-ray imaging or CT scan are used to detect fluid accumulation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to bulky equipment and long measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (X-ray, CT) with an acoustic-based detection system using microphones and signal processing algorithms. This substitutes bulky mechanical equipment with simpler acoustic sensors and computational analysis, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while eliminating the need for heavy imaging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an acoustic copy or representation of lung fluid status through audio signals and spectral analysis. Instead of directly imaging fluid accumulation, the system captures acoustic emissions from the lungs and processes them to infer fluid presence, effectively copying the diagnostic information in a more accessible format
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated methods like X-ray imaging or CT scan are used to detect fluid accumulation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to long measurement duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical imaging processes with rapid acoustic signal capture and digital processing. The system can analyze lung sounds and detect fluid accumulation in real-time or near-real-time, reducing measurement time from minutes (CT/X-ray) to seconds while maintaining diagnostic precision
3Ease of operation
If auscultation using a stethoscope is used to assess fluid accumulation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the simple auscultation method by capturing acoustic emissions digitally and creating processed representations through spectral analysis and feature extraction. This copies the basic listening function but adds computational processing to reveal subtle acoustic patterns invisible to human ears, maintaining simplicity while dramatically improving sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the acoustic signal from raw audio to processed features (spectral characteristics, temporal patterns, frequency content) that highlight fluid-related changes. By changing the parameter representation from direct sound waves to extracted acoustic features, the system amplifies subtle differences detectable by algorithms but imperceptible to human listeners
4Measurement precision
If an implanted device is used to continuously monitor fluid status, then measurement precision is improved for early detection, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to invasive implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive implantable impedance sensors with non-invasive acoustic emission detection. By substituting mechanical/electrical implantation with external acoustic listening, the system achieves continuous monitoring capability without surgical intervention or foreign body implantation, eliminating the harmful effects of invasive procedures
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 rapid, accurate, and non-invasive detection of fluid accumulation in internal organs, improving early detection and monitoring capabilities without the need for bulky equipment or invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
positioning at least one sensor on the subject or subjects in proximity to said internal organ such that the sensor is acoustically coupled to the internal organ
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting a level of fluid accumulation in an internal organ of a subject is proposed, as well as a system for carrying out the method. The method comprises: providing at least one classifier trained to distinguish between two or more levels of fluid accumulation; acquiring an audio signal (110) generated by said internal organ; and processing, using at least one processor (134), said audio signal (110) by: performing feature extraction to generate at least one feature vector from the audio signal; and assigning a fluid level from the two or more levels to the audio signal by passing the at least one feature vector to the at least one classifier.