Automated Olfactory Testing System with Standardized Cartridges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing human olfactory systems lack standardization, making it difficult to accurately assess olfactory function and predict cognitive impairment, as they do not provide standardized odorants or automated systems for quantitative analysis.

Innovation Solution

A system with standardized odorant-delivery cartridges and automated devices that connect to mobile computing devices, allowing for real-time analysis and comparison of olfactory performance against a demographic database, generating an Olfaxis Index for objective quantification of olfactory function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual olfactory testing methods are used, then testing flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision and standardization are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveolfactory function assessment accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical testing methods with an automated digital olfactometer system that uses electronic control and software algorithms to deliver standardized odorants and automatically record results, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements standardized odorant delivery with controlled parameters including concentration, flow rate, and delivery timing, transforming the variable manual testing process into a standardized automated system that maintains flexibility through programmable test protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If standardized odorant delivery is implemented, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting consistencyVSAvoidodorant delivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digital olfactometer integrates multiple functions including odorant storage, automated delivery, concentration control, and data recording into a single universal device, improving reliability through standardized multi-functional operation while managing complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated features such as self-calibration, self-recording of test results, and automatic comparison against normative databases, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving testing consistency while offsetting device complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated data collection and analysis are used, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting throughputVSAvoiddata processing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback loops where test results are immediately recorded, compared against normative databases, and used to provide real-time guidance for clinical decision-making, increasing productivity through automated analysis while managing complexity through structured feedback mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a normative database as an intermediary that stores reference data from healthy populations, allowing automated comparison and interpretation of test results without requiring complex real-time analysis algorithms, thereby improving productivity while managing data processing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If normative databases are established, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but loss of information increases due to data management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddata management overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing normative databases with reference data from healthy populations across different demographics, allowing immediate comparison and accurate diagnostic interpretation without requiring complex real-time data management during testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11478183B2Apparatus, method, and system for testing human olfactory systems

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 OLFAXIS LLC

AI summary

An apparatus, module, methods and systems for automated, standardized assessment and analysis of a human olfactory system's odor detection ability as an indicator or predictor of cognitive impairment or change in cognitive health, and other health conditions such as diabetes. Notably, the present invention is operable for use across all age groups of humans and provides quantitative detection and analysis of a human olfactory system's detection ability compared to a relevant demographic population.