Non-contact Depth Sensing Camera for Neonatal Apnea Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preterm infants experience apnea events due to immature respiratory control, which can lead to hypoxemia and potentially life-threatening conditions, and existing monitoring systems lack effective non-contact methods to identify and address these events in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
A video-based neonatal patient monitoring system using a non-contact depth sensing camera to calculate breathing parameters and detect apnea events, which initiates stimulation or alerts when significant desaturation occurs, including vibration, auditory, or visual signals to encourage normal breathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact-based monitoring methods are used to detect apnea events, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and patient comfort are worsened due to skin contact requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with optical sensing technology. The system uses an optical sensor to detect chest wall motion and breathing patterns without physical contact, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while eliminating the complexity of skin contact requirements and mechanical sensor attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the monitoring system and the patient. The optical sensor detects changes in light reflection or absorption caused by chest wall motion during breathing, using light as a non-contact mediator to transmit physiological information without direct physical contact.
2Ease of operation
If non-contact monitoring is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to challenges in accurately detecting breathing parameters without physical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional contact-based measurement to multi-dimensional optical measurement. The optical sensor captures spatial and temporal information about chest wall motion, analyzing multiple parameters such as motion amplitude, frequency, and patterns to compensate for the lack of direct physical contact and maintain measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct physical displacement (contact-based) to optical properties such as light reflection, absorption, or phase modulation. By detecting subtle optical changes caused by chest wall motion, the system maintains measurement precision while achieving non-contact operation.
3Productivity
If automated stimulation systems are added to address apnea events, then productivity is improved through automatic response, but device complexity increases due to additional stimulation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring and stimulation functions into an integrated system. The same optical sensing platform that detects apnea events is coupled with automated stimulation capabilities, merging multiple functions into a unified device that reduces overall system complexity while improving response efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated stimulation that operates autonomously upon detection of apnea events. The system self-regulates by automatically administering stimulation without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while the automation algorithms manage the complexity of coordinating multiple functions.
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 effectively identifies and responds to apnea events in preterm infants, reducing the severity and frequency of apnea episodes by providing timely stimulation and alerting caregivers to critical conditions, thereby improving neonatal health outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact depth sensing camera to calculate breathing parameters
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for video-based neonatal patient monitoring are described. Methods for neonatal patient monitoring can generally include use of a non-contact detector, such as a depth-sensing camera, to obtain data pertaining to the neonate that can then be used to calculate or otherwise determine a neonate patient breathing parameter, such as respiratory volume. The method further includes monitoring the breathing parameter to identify the occurrence of a neonate breathing event, such as apnea, and initiating a neonate stimulation event when a breathing event is identified. The stimulation event can include, e.g., vibration, auditory signals, visual signals, and/or other types of tactile signals. The systems and methods can use additional monitoring apparatus to monitor additional neonate health parameters, and incorporate this additional information into the decision of when a stimulation event should be initiated.