Dual-Axis Accelerometry for Swallowing Impairment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting swallowing impairments, such as dysphagia, are invasive, expensive, or lack reliability, making it challenging to accurately and non-invasively identify swallowing abnormalities, especially in conditions like aspiration and penetration.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using dual-axis accelerometry to acquire vibrational data from the throat, processing it to extract meta-features like spectrogram analysis, correlation coefficients, and principal component analysis, to classify swallowing events as normal or impaired, enabling the detection of potential aspiration or penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video fluoroscopy is used for swallowing assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical and radiological system of video fluoroscopy with a simple accelerometry-based sensing system. The accelerometer device measures throat vibrations during swallowing, substituting the need for expensive imaging equipment and specialized facilities while maintaining swallowing assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the swallowing assessment function. Instead of using the original complex video fluoroscopy method, it employs accelerometers to capture and analyze throat vibrations that replicate the essential information needed for swallowing evaluation, thereby reducing complexity while preserving diagnostic utility.
2Measurement precision
If video fluoroscopy is used for swallowing assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to harmful radiations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the radiological measurement system with a mechanical vibration sensing system. Accelerometers detect throat vibrations during swallowing, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation while providing equivalent functional assessment of swallowing mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful radiation-based measurement into a harmless mechanical vibration measurement. By detecting throat vibrations through accelerometers, the system achieves the same diagnostic goal without exposing patients to harmful radiations.
3Measurement precision
If flexible endoscopic evaluation is used for swallowing assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive flexible endoscopic system with a non-invasive accelerometry-based system. The accelerometer device measures external throat vibrations, eliminating the need for trained personnel to perform invasive procedures while maintaining swallowing assessment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the swallowing assessment system to function independently without requiring specialized trained personnel. The accelerometer device automatically captures and processes throat vibration data, making the assessment accessible without expert intervention.
4Ease of operation
If cervical auscultation is used for swallowing detection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the swallowing detection process into distinct analytical components using accelerometry. By capturing dual-axis throat vibrations and analyzing specific vibration patterns, the system provides more reliable and objective detection compared to subjective auditory assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the subjective auditory assessment system with an objective mechanical vibration measurement system. Accelerometers quantitatively measure throat vibrations, providing reliable and consistent data that eliminates the subjectivity inherent in cervical auscultation.
5Ease of operation
If perceptual clinical screening is used for dysphagia detection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to subjective judgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective perceptual clinical screening with objective mechanical vibration analysis. Accelerometers capture and quantify throat vibrations during swallowing, providing consistent and reproducible measurements that eliminate inter-rater variability in clinical assessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system between the patient and the clinician. The accelerometer device serves as an objective mediator that captures swallowing mechanics and provides quantifiable data, reducing reliance on subjective clinical judgement and improving assessment agreement.
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
Provides a non-invasive, automated, and accurate means to classify swallowing events, improving the detection of swallowing impairments and guiding adjustments in feeding techniques to prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to acquire axis-specific vibrational data along an anterior-posterior (A-P) axis and a superior-inferior (S-I) axis of the candidate's throat
Data Source
AI summary
A method can classify cervical accelerometry data acquired for a swallowing event to identify a possible swallowing impairment in a candidate. The method can include receiving axis-specific vibrational data for an anterior-posterior (A-P) axis and a superior-inferior (S-I) axis and representative of the swallowing event, for example from an accelerometer operatively coupled to a processing module that is a local or remote computing device. The method can include extracting one or more specific meta-features from the data and then outputting from the processing module a classification of the swallowing event based on the extracted meta-features, for example a first classification indicative of normal swallowing or a second classification indicative of possibly impaired swallowing.