Cranial Accelerometer Headset for Rapid Large Vessel Occlusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) in stroke patients are inaccurate and time-consuming, particularly in prehospital settings, leading to delayed treatment and worsened outcomes due to the need for brain imaging and reliance on neurological examinations by untrained personnel.
Innovation Solution
A system using a headset with 3-axis accelerometers to measure HeadPulse recordings, combined with clinical data and neurological examinations, analyzes chaos levels in head movements caused by blood flow to accurately detect LVO through algorithms that determine chaos levels exceeding thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If brain imaging techniques are used to detect LVO, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex medical imaging systems (CT, MRI) with a simple accelerometer-based mechanical sensing system. The accelerometer measures head movements caused by blood flow pulsations, and chaos analysis algorithms process these signals to detect LVO. This substitution achieves comparable diagnostic accuracy while reducing equipment complexity and examination time from minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the detection approach by changing the measured parameter from anatomical structure (via imaging) to dynamic mechanical movement (via accelerometer). By measuring head acceleration patterns and analyzing their chaos characteristics during cardiac cycles, the system detects LVO through physiological function rather than structural imaging, enabling rapid screening.
2Measurement precision
If brain imaging techniques are used to detect LVO, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex medical imaging systems (CT, MRI) with a simple accelerometer-based mechanical sensing system. The accelerometer measures head movements caused by blood flow pulsations, and chaos analysis algorithms process these signals to detect LVO. This substitution achieves comparable diagnostic accuracy while reducing equipment complexity and examination time from minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a low-cost accelerometer to capture and analyze the characteristic movement patterns (copy) of blood flow-induced head movements. By analyzing the chaos characteristics of these copied movement signals, the system replicates the diagnostic capability of complex imaging systems without requiring expensive equipment.
3Productivity
If neurological examinations by untrained personnel are used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables first responders and untrained personnel to perform accurate LVO detection themselves using the automated accelerometer device. The system self-calibrates and automatically analyzes chaos characteristics of head movement signals, providing objective diagnostic results without requiring specialized neurological training. This empowers frontline workers to make accurate triage decisions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective neurological examination skills with an objective mechanical sensing system. The accelerometer objectively measures head movement parameters and chaos characteristics, eliminating variability introduced by examiner skill level. This mechanical measurement approach provides consistent, reproducible results regardless of the operator's training.
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 system provides rapid, accurate LVO detection within 30-60 seconds, improving triage decisions and reducing the time to effective treatment by identifying LVO with high sensitivity and specificity, avoiding the need for costly and risky imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
Cranial accelerometry is a method used to measure forces on the head and neck produced by the force of the heartbeat. The heartbeat produces a force on the head and neck through the cerebral vasculature. The force on the brain matter produced by the heartbeat is translated to the skull.
Data Source
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AI summary
A headset, configured to be attached to a human head, includes an accelerometer providing a signal indicative of head acceleration due to blood flow through the brain. An analyzer evaluates a plurality of samples indicative of acceleration over time where each sample corresponds to the head movement resulting from a cardiac contraction. The analyzer identifies brain conditions at least partially based on a level of chaos of the plurality samples. The algorithm applied by the analyzer is partially formulated based on clinical data and examination of a plurality of subjects. In one example, the plurality of samples evaluated by the analyzer are indicative of the head accelerometer only in a single axis. In some situations, the analyzer identifies brain conditions further based on contemporaneous neurological examination of the subject.