Armpit Hydration Meter for Accurate Body Water Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydration meters that measure body impedance are not user-friendly for older or physically disabled individuals, as they are influenced by skin humidity and arm muscle volume, and do not accurately detect dehydration due to temperature variations, while oral hydration meters require frequent cleaning and are cumbersome for these groups.
Innovation Solution
A hydration meter designed to be held in the armpit, featuring a temperature measuring unit and bioelectrical impedance or electrostatic capacitance measuring unit, with a compact and ergonomic design that includes multiple temperature and hydration measuring units to account for temperature changes and provide accurate readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional hydration meter with handles is used to measure body impedance, then the water content can be calculated from the measured impedance, but the measurement is influenced by skin humidity and arm muscle volume, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the hand-held handles and relocates it to the armpit region. By placing the measuring unit in the armpit, the system eliminates the influence of hand skin humidity and arm muscle volume on the impedance measurement, thereby improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the armpit region as an intermediary measurement site between the hand and the core body. The armpit provides a stable, consistent anatomical location that is less affected by external factors like skin humidity and muscle volume, serving as a reliable mediator for accurate water content measurement.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional hydration meter is used, then water content can be measured, but the device is too tall for older persons or physically disabled persons, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to hold the device in their hands (conventional approach), the patent inverts the interaction by having the device placed in the armpit, where it is naturally supported by the body's anatomy. This eliminates the need for hand strength and coordination, making it accessible to older and physically disabled persons.
Solution Approach 2:
The armpit placement allows the device to be supported and positioned by the user's own body structure. The armpit naturally holds the measuring unit in place during measurement, eliminating the need for additional support structures or complex positioning mechanisms, thereby simplifying operation.
3Measurement precision
If body impedance is measured without temperature correction, then the measurement process is simple, but the bioelectrical impedance value changes with temperature, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature measurement function with the impedance measurement function in a single integrated system. By placing both sensors in the armpit, the device simultaneously captures temperature and impedance data from the same location, enabling real-time temperature-based correction of the water content measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature measurement as feedback to correct the impedance-based water content calculation. The measured temperature value is used to adjust the bioelectrical impedance interpretation, compensating for temperature-induced variations and improving measurement accuracy.
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 easy and accurate measurement of water content, effectively assisting in early detection of dehydration and providing user-friendly operation for all individuals, including older and physically disabled persons, by accounting for temperature variations and ensuring reliable contact with the skin.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measuring unit held in an armpit of the subject to measure a temperature of the subject
Implementation Method 2
an impedance-type hydration measuring unit held in an armpit of the subject to measure a water content of the subject
Implementation Method 3
an electrostatic capacitance-type hydration measuring unit held in an armpit of the subject to measure a water content of the subject
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a moisture meter that can easily measure a moisture content of a subject and can be effectively used as means for assisting the subject in appropriately regulating the moisture content. A moisture meter (1) for measuring a moisture content of a subject includes: a moisture measuring unit (30) that is held in an armpit (R) of a subject (M) so as to measure a moisture content of the subject (M), the moisture measuring unit including measurement current supply electrode portions (30A and 30B) and voltage measurement electrode portions (100A and 100B) that make contact with a skin surface of the armpit (R); and a temperature measuring unit (31) that is held in the armpit (R) of the subject (M) so as to measure the temperature of the subject (M).