Inductive Plethysmography Device with Adjustable Coils for Trunk Size Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductance plethysmography devices are not suitable for subjects with significant weight changes, causing discomfort, poor mechanical coupling, and unreliable measurements due to limited elasticity and size incompatibility.
Innovation Solution
A plethysmography device with an elastic textile support and adjustable inductive coils using self-gripping elements and connection elements to adapt to varying trunk sizes, ensuring secure fit and accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the textile support and conductive wire are used to form the vest, then the device can be manufactured with basic functionality, but the elasticity is limited and multiple sizes are necessary for subjects with large weight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the conductive wire adjustable in length through a sliding mechanism. The wire can be lengthened or shortened by moving the sliding element along the wire, allowing the device to adapt dynamically to subjects with large weight changes without requiring multiple sizes. This transforms a static structure into a dynamic one that can self-adjust.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wire length to accommodate weight changes. By introducing a sliding mechanism that allows the conductive wire to vary its effective length, the device can adapt to different trunk circumferences. This parameter change enables a single device size to serve multiple weight ranges, eliminating the need for multiple sizes.
2Ease of operation
If the vest is made with fixed elasticity, then manufacturing is simplified, but it causes discomfort and injuries when subjects undergo rapid weight gain
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism introduces dynamic adjustability to the vest, allowing the conductive wire to change its effective length in response to weight changes. This dynamic feature prevents discomfort and injuries by avoiding excessive compression, while the mechanism itself is simple enough to integrate into existing manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism is designed to be easily adjustable by the subject themselves without requiring complex manufacturing or specialized assembly. The simple sliding action allows users to adapt the vest to their changing body size, making the adjustment process user-friendly and eliminating the need for complex manufacturing variations.
3Reliability
If the coil circumference is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying trunk perimeters causing poor mechanical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism along the conductive wire allows the coil circumference to be dynamically adjusted. By moving the sliding element, the effective length of the wire and thus the coil circumference changes, enabling the device to adapt to varying trunk perimeters and maintain reliable mechanical coupling without requiring a complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of coil circumference by adjusting the effective length of the conductive wire through the sliding mechanism. This parameter adjustment allows the coil to match different trunk sizes, improving mechanical coupling reliability. The mechanism remains relatively simple, involving only the sliding element and its interaction with the wire.
4Reliability
If the textile support is made non-removable, then it prevents subject manipulation and ensures continuous monitoring, but it increases device complexity and reduces ease of adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism provides dynamic adjustability while maintaining a secure fit. The mechanism allows the device to be adjusted to different sizes but maintains a non-removable characteristic that prevents manipulation by the subject. This dynamic adjustment capability is achieved without compromising the security of the device on the subject.
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 device provides a secure, comfortable fit and accurate volume measurements by adapting to changes in trunk size, minimizing discomfort and ensuring reliable data collection.
Implementation Method 1
A variation in the volume of the trunk, due in particular to respiratory and/or cardiac activity, generates a variation in the inductance of each coil connected to the surface of the contour surrounded by said coil, the variation in inductance being measured by a sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inductance plethysmography device comprising: a support (20) made of elastic textile designed to be closed on itself along two lateral edges (21, 22) in order to surround a portion of the torso of an individual, at least one inductive coil (80) formed of an electrically conductive wire strand having two ends arranged on each lateral edge of the support, characterized in that a first end of the coil (80) comprises a first electrical connection element (41) electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive male or female self-gripping element (51), and a second end of the coil (80) comprises a second electrical connection element (42) electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive female or male self-gripping element (52) designed to engage with the electrically conductive male or female self-gripping element in order to make an electrical contact between the first and the second end of the coil (80).