Core Temperature Estimation Using Skin and Ambient Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for measuring core body temperature are often burdensome and inaccurate due to thermal resistance of the skin and ambient temperature effects, leading to discrepancies between skin surface and core body temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with skin and ambient temperature sensors, utilizing a nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) model to estimate core body temperature by accounting for past measurement results and ambient influences, and generating alerts for abnormal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive techniques are used to measure core body temperature, then convenience is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to thermal resistance of skin and ambient temperature effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model (NARX model) that mediates between the skin temperature sensor readings and the core body temperature estimation. This model accounts for thermal resistance and ambient effects by processing multiple input variables (skin temperature, ambient temperature, historical data) to produce accurate core temperature estimates without requiring direct invasive measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/invasive temperature measurement systems with a computational estimation system. Instead of physically inserting sensors into the body cavity, the system uses skin temperature sensors combined with sophisticated algorithms (NARX models, regression analysis) to calculate core temperature, substituting mechanical intrusion with computational inference.
2Ease of operation
If skin temperature sensors are used to estimate core temperature, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but thermal resistance of skin causes temperature discrepancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by collecting and processing historical temperature data and ambient temperature information before making the core temperature estimation. The NARX model uses past skin temperature readings and corresponding ambient conditions to build a predictive profile, allowing the system to compensate for thermal resistance effects in advance and improve estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for temperature estimation by introducing multiple variables beyond simple skin temperature, including ambient temperature, historical temperature sequences, and non-linear relationships. The NARX model transforms the estimation problem by considering dynamic parameter changes over time and under varying environmental conditions, thereby accounting for thermal resistance effects.
3Device complexity
If ambient temperature effects are not accounted for, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional estimation system that handles multiple factors simultaneously. The NARX model integrates skin temperature measurement, ambient temperature compensation, historical data processing, and core temperature estimation into a single unified system. This multi-functional approach allows the system to account for environmental influences without requiring separate simple devices for each function.
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
The solution provides accurate, non-invasive core body temperature estimation and alerts for abnormal conditions, improving convenience and accuracy over existing methods by accounting for thermal resistance and ambient effects.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal insulation material between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature measurement device for determining a body temperature of a subject includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure a plurality of skin temperatures of the subject at a plurality of time instants, a second temperature sensor spaced apart from the first temperature sensor and configured to measure a plurality of ambient temperatures at the plurality of time instants, a thermal insulation material between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, a memory device configured to store the plurality of skin temperatures and the plurality of ambient temperatures, and a controller configured to estimate, using a prediction model, the body temperature of the subject based on the plurality of skin temperatures and the plurality of ambient temperatures.