Bio-impedance Measurement of Half Upper Body for Composition Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring body composition, such as bioelectrical impedance analysis, are not convenient or accurate enough for daily use, especially when trying to assess the composition of the upper body in a non-invasive and efficient manner.
Innovation Solution
A bio-impedance measuring apparatus and method that uses electrodes placed on the face, ear, neck, and hand to measure impedance of the upper body, with a mobile terminal or earphone/glasses-based system, allowing for the analysis of body composition by applying current and measuring voltage, and correcting the impedance data for whole body or upper body symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed on palms of both hands and soles of both feet for whole body measurement, then body composition of whole body can be measured, but convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring contact with multiple body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the traditional four-electrode configuration (both hands and both feet) and concentrates it into a simplified two-electrode configuration (one hand only). By taking out the unnecessary electrodes and measurement paths, the system achieves the same body composition analysis capability with reduced user interaction requirements, thereby improving operational convenience while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the body composition measurement into two independent measurement paths: one through the selected hand and the other through the torso. By dividing the measurement into these segments and combining the results, the system achieves whole-body composition analysis using only one hand contact, resolving the contradiction between measurement completeness and operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If contact electrodes are used for bioelectrical impedance analysis, then body composition can be measured, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple electrodes and contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes two electrodes from the traditional four-electrode BIA configuration, retaining only two electrodes for measurement. This extraction simplifies the device structure, reduces the number of contact points required, and lowers device complexity while preserving the essential body composition analysis capability through alternative measurement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the two retained electrodes multi-functional by using them for both current injection and voltage measurement across different body segments. The electrodes serve multiple purposes: measuring impedance through the hand, measuring impedance through the torso, and enabling calculation of total body composition, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If traditional BIA methods are used with multiple body contact points, then comprehensive body composition data can be obtained, but time consumption increases due to requiring user contact with multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming steps of contacting multiple body locations (both hands, both feet) by retaining only one hand contact point. This extraction of unnecessary contact requirements significantly reduces the time needed for proper electrode placement and measurement initiation, while the segmented measurement approach ensures comprehensive body composition data is still obtained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation and data processing to compensate for the reduced number of contact points. By pre-programming the impedance calculation algorithms and body composition analysis models, the system can accurately derive complete body composition information from the simplified two-electrode measurement, reducing measurement time without sacrificing data completeness.
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 accurate and convenient measurement of body composition, including intracellular water, extracellular water, proteins, and body fat, with the ability to calculate a body balance index by comparing left and right half compositions, providing a user-friendly interface for outputting results.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an impedance of the half of the upper body of the object based on measuring a voltage of the first electrode part and the second electrode part
Data Source
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AI summary
A body composition analyzing apparatus uses an impedance of a half of an upper body. The body composition analyzing apparatus includes a first electrode part which comes into contact with a half of an upper body of an object, a second electrode part which comes into contact with the half of the upper body, a measurer configured to apply a current to each of the electrode parts, and to measure an impedance of the half of the upper body of the object by measuring a voltage of each of the electrode parts, and an analyzer configured to analyze body composition of the object based on the measured impedance of the half of the upper body. Particular configurations include the apparatus being integrated in earphones, glasses or a mobile terminal.