Defecation Gas Sensor System for Colorectal Cancer Risk Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for diagnosing colorectal cancer using defecation gas analysis are costly, large, and inefficient for household use due to the need for precise measurement of trace amounts of methyl mercaptan gas, which is challenging to detect accurately and reliably.
Innovation Solution
A biological information measurement system that uses a gas detector sensitive to methyl mercaptan and other odorous gases, allowing for the analysis of physical conditions based on time-dependent changes in defecation gas, enabling early detection of colorectal cancer risk without requiring expensive sensors, by incorporating sensors for hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane to improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive and precise sensors are used to detect trace amounts of methyl mercaptan gas, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple segments by using different types of sensors (methyl mercaptan-specific sensor, sulfur component sensor, and odorous gas sensor) that each detect different aspects of the gas composition. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive detection accuracy without relying on a single expensive high-precision sensor, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple types of sensors are used to detect different gas components, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a unified sensor system where methyl mercaptan-specific sensors, sulfur component sensors, and odorous gas sensors work together in an integrated architecture. This merging approach improves reliability by cross-validating measurements across different sensor types while managing complexity through a coordinated control system that processes data from all sensors collectively rather than as separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a sensor system that can simultaneously detect methyl mercaptan gas, other sulfur components, and general odorous gases using a single integrated platform. This universal detection capability improves reliability by providing multiple lines of evidence for the same measurement target while avoiding the need for multiple separate detection devices, thereby managing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If trace amounts of methyl mercaptan gas are measured accurately, then early detection capability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary detection mechanisms by using sulfur component sensors and odorous gas sensors as intermediate detection layers that indirectly detect methyl mercaptan gas. These intermediary sensors detect related chemical components and general odor characteristics, providing supplementary information that helps overcome the difficulty of directly measuring trace methyl mercaptan gas, thereby improving early detection capability while reducing measurement difficulty through multi-indicator analysis.
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 a cost-effective, user-friendly method for detecting colorectal cancer risk by analyzing changes in odorous gases over time, reducing the burden on users and improving the accuracy of health condition monitoring, allowing for early intervention and prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a gas detector provided with a gas sensor that is sensitive to methyl mercaptan gas of odiferous gas, containing a sulfur component, as well as to odiferous gas other than the methyl mercaptan gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a biological information measurement system capable of notifying poor physical condition. The present invention is a system (1) that measures physical condition on the basis of defecation gas, and that includes: a test subject identification device; a suction device (18) that sucks gas in a bowl; a gas detector (20) that reacts to methyl mercaptan gas contained in the sucked gas; a control device (22) that controls the suction device and the gas detector; a storage device that stores first detection data; a data analyzer that analyzes physical condition of a test subject on the basis of time-dependent change in a plurality of first detection data items that is acquired in a defecation act performed multiple times in a predetermined period; and an output device that outputs an analysis result.