Centroid Sampling for Localized Gingival Inflammation Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care devices struggle to accurately detect localized gingival inflammation due to motion artifacts and poor signal-to-noise ratios, making it difficult to identify early signs of periodontal disease.
Innovation Solution
An oral care device equipped with sensors that emit light at multiple wavelengths in sequential patterns, using a controller to average reflectance data from light detectors to determine localized gingival inflammation, and provide feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If handheld devices analyze large areas of the mouth, then the coverage is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates resulting in poor detection of localized inflammation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into discrete sampling points along the gingival margin rather than analyzing the entire gingival area simultaneously. The sensor takes multiple measurements at specific locations (centroids) along the gum line, processing these individual point measurements to detect localized inflammation while maintaining good signal-to-noise ratio at each measurement point.
2Measurement precision
If handheld devices take many measurements to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic sampling where the sensor automatically moves along the gingival margin to collect measurements at multiple predetermined points. The system dynamically adjusts the measurement locations and automatically processes the sequence of measurements, providing accurate inflammation detection without requiring the user to manually position the sensor at each specific point or understand the measurement protocol.
3Ease of operation
If handheld devices are used during normal use, then the ease of operation is improved, but motion artifacts increase resulting in poor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling at predetermined points along the gingival margin rather than continuous measurement. By taking discrete measurements at specific intervals and locations, the system reduces the impact of hand motion between measurements. The periodic nature of the sampling allows the sensor to capture stable reflectance data at each point before moving to the next, minimizing motion artifacts while maintaining portability.
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
Enhances the detection of localized gingival inflammation by reducing motion artifacts and improving signal-to-noise ratios, allowing for early detection of gingivitis and periodontitis.
Implementation Method 1
One or more light detectors are configured to obtain reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate first reflectance data for the location in response to light emitted in the first pattern, and to generate second reflectance data for the location in response to light emitted in the second pattern
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
For localizing gingival inflammation within a user's mouth the following steps are carried out using an oral care device (10): (i) sequentially emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) in a first sequential pattern, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths; (ii) sequentially emitting (530) light in a second sequential pattern which is the reverse of the first sequential pattern; (iii) obtaining (540), by a light detector (40), reflectance measurements to generate first reflectance data from light emitted in the first sequential pattern, and to generate second reflectance data from light emitted in the second sequential pattern; (iv) averaging (550), by a controller (30), first reflectance data and second reflectance data for each wavelength to generate averaged reflectance data; and (v) determining (570), using the averaged reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.