Bioimpedance Respiratory Monitoring Signal Decomposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory monitoring using bioimpedance signals lacks comprehensive information on both respiratory effort and airflow, limiting the ability to analyze and differentiate between various respiratory events effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bioimpedance measurement sensor and a processing unit that receives both bioimpedance and reference signals to divide the signal into effort and airflow components, enabling detailed analysis and differentiation of respiratory events such as obstructive and central sleep apnea, hypopneas, by using sensors like oesophageal manometers, RIP belts, or thermistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single bioimpedance measurement is used for respiratory monitoring, then the equipment remains simple and convenient for long-term monitoring, but the information obtained is insufficient to comprehensively analyze both respiratory effort and airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single bioimpedance signal into two distinct components: an effort component representing respiratory effort and a flow component representing respiratory airflow. This is achieved through signal processing techniques that separate the contributions of chest wall movement (effort) and airway resistance (flow) from the composite bioimpedance measurement, thereby obtaining comprehensive respiratory information without adding physical sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for multiple physical sensors (such as separate effort sensors and flow sensors) with a signal processing approach that mathematically decomposes the bioimpedance signal. This substitution of mechanical measurement systems with electronic signal processing reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are used to measure both respiratory effort and airflow separately, then comprehensive respiratory information is obtained, but the equipment complexity and inconvenience to the subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single bioimpedance measurement sensor multi-functional by demonstrating that it can simultaneously provide information about both respiratory effort and airflow through signal decomposition. This universal approach allows one sensor to perform the work of multiple sensors, maintaining subject convenience while enabling comprehensive respiratory event differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates functional copies of separate measurement capabilities within the signal processing domain. By mathematically extracting effort and flow components from the single bioimpedance signal, the system replicates the information that would otherwise require separate physical sensors, thereby maintaining subject comfort while achieving comprehensive monitoring
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
This approach provides comprehensive respiratory monitoring by separating respiratory effort and airflow components, allowing for accurate analysis and differentiation of respiratory events, enhancing the detection and classification of conditions like sleep apnea and hypopneas.
Implementation Method 1
A bioimpedance measurement sensor 110, which is configured for arrangement in relation to the subject for acquiring a bioimpedance signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for respiratory monitoring of a subject comprises: a bioimpedance measurement sensor, which is configured for arrangement in relation to the subject for acquiring a bioimpedance signal; a processing unit, which is configured to receive the acquired bioimpedance signal and receive a reference signal, the reference signal representing a respiratory effort of the subject or a respiratory airflow at a time of bioimpedance signal acquirement, the processing unit being further configured to divide the bioimpedance signal into an effort component representing a respiratory effort of the subject and a flow component representing a respiratory airflow of the subject based on the received bioimpedance signal and the received reference signal.