ALS Disease Monitoring via Sensor-Based Digital Biomarkers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease progression are subjective, infrequent, and primarily clinic-based, which limits the frequency and objectivity of data collection, hindering accurate disease management and prolonging the development of effective treatments.

Innovation Solution

A home-based monitoring system using a personal communication device with sensors that collects and analyzes data on ALS patients' daily activities, providing a digital biomarker for disease progression and alerting for potential health deterioration, while creating a comprehensive and objective database for improved research and treatment development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If clinic-based monitoring with subjective questionnaires is used, then professional assessment is ensured, but monitoring frequency is low and objectivity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjectivity of disease progression dataVSAvoidtime between monitoring assessments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of clinic-based manual questioning with an automated electronic system using sensors, mobile devices, and software applications to collect and analyze patient data automatically, enabling objective continuous monitoring without requiring frequent professional clinical visits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables patients to self-monitor their own disease progression through personal devices that automatically collect data from sensors and track daily activities, eliminating the need for frequent professional assessment while maintaining monitoring objectivity through automated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If frequent monitoring is implemented, then disease progression accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease progression monitoring accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes universal multi-functional devices that patients already possess (smartphones, tablets, computers) and common sensors (accelerometers, microphones, cameras) to perform multiple monitoring functions including speech analysis, motor function assessment, and activity tracking, thereby avoiding the need for specialized complex equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of clinical assessment functions through software algorithms that replicate professional evaluation capabilities using automated data collection and analysis, enabling frequent monitoring without requiring complex physical assessment tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If home-based monitoring is used, then patient convenience and monitoring frequency improve, but data objectivity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient monitoring convenienceVSAvoidobjectivity of collected data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms where collected data is immediately analyzed by algorithms that compare results against established norms and patient baselines, providing objective feedback that maintains data quality while enabling convenient home-based monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated analysis system that acts as a mediator between patient self-collected data and clinical interpretation, using algorithms to ensure objectivity in data evaluation while maintaining the convenience of home-based monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20180268108A1System for monitoring disease progression

Publication Date: 2018.09.20 PETER COHEN FOUNDATION DOING BUSINESS AS EVERYTHINGALS

AI summary

Personal communication devices and computer-implemented systems for monitoring of ALS disease state of a patient are presented. The computer-implemented system comprises assignment selection module configured to access a library comprising predefined activity(ies), and enable selection of at least one predefined activity to be monitored by sensor(s) associated with the patient; assignment execution module configured to identify sensing signal(s) from the sensor(s) and generate corresponding output signal(s) indicative of the predefined activity, the sensing signal(s) comprising at least one of the following: reading, drawing, finger tapping, speaking, breathing, walking; and assignment reporting module configured to communicate with a data analyzer for communicating the output signal(s) indicative of the predefined activity to the data analyzer, thereby enabling storing the output data in a memory for use in monitoring and analyzing the ALS disease state of the patient.