Stress Detection via Skin Biogas Sensor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting stress are inadequate in objectively grasping temporal changes in stress levels, as they rely on subjective measurements like cortisol concentration through saliva or blood analysis, which are impractical for continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a sensor to detect 2-ethylhexanoic acid biogas discharged from the skin surface, which correlates with stress levels, allowing for continuous measurement and objective determination of stress periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cortisol concentration is measured through saliva or blood analysis, then stress level measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to impractical sampling methods for continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/biological sampling system (saliva or blood collection) with a sensor-based detection system that measures 2-ethylhexanoic acid biogas discharged from the skin surface. This substitution enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring while maintaining stress level measurement precision through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the biogas.
2Ease of operation
If subjective measurements are used for stress detection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reliance on subjective feelings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective self-reporting methods with an objective sensor-based measurement system that detects 2-ethylhexanoic acid biogas concentration. This substitution provides accurate, objective stress level data through scientific analysis of the biogas discharged from the skin surface, eliminating reliance on subjective user perceptions.
3Productivity
If continuous stress monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved through early prevention of mental disorders, but device complexity increases due to continuous measurement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures a specific biomarker (2-ethylhexanoic acid) from the complex mixture of biogas discharged from the skin surface. By focusing on this single stress-related compound through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the system achieves continuous monitoring capability while managing device complexity through targeted detection rather than comprehensive analysis of all biogas components.
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 the objective recognition of stress periods, facilitating the prevention of mental disorders like depression by providing accurate and continuous stress monitoring without relying on subjective feelings or impractical sampling methods.
Implementation Method 1
biogas information representing a concentration of 2-ethylhexanoic acid of a user acquired by a sensor that detects the 2-ethylhexanoic acid discharged from a skin surface of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: acquiring, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings and time information corresponding to time at each of the multiple timings, wherein the biogas represents a concentration of 2-ethylhexanoic acid of a user acquired by a sensor that detects the 2-ethylhexanoic acid discharged from a skin surface of the user; obtaining reference information representing a lower limit of a normal range of 2-ethylhexanoic acid per unit period of time, using a memory storing the reference information representing the lower limit of the normal range; determining a stress time period during which a concentration of the 2-ethylhexanoic acid of the user is less than the lower limit of the normal range, based on the acquired biogas information; and outputting time period information indicating the determined stress time period to an information terminal of the user.