In-Cavity Triple-Sensor Measurement for Ear Canal Shape Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the shape or blood perfusion of body cavities, such as the ear canal, are not accurate and require elaborate structures outside the cavity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensor with three distance and/or movement sensors positioned within the cavity, configured to sense distances and velocities in different directions, and a controller to determine the shape or variation of the cavity based on output signals, without requiring external structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing systems use elaborate structures outside the cavity to determine shape or blood perfusion, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement task into multiple independent distance sensing operations along different axes. Three distance sensors are positioned to measure distances along three non-collinear directions, allowing the cavity shape to be reconstructed from these segmented measurements without requiring a single complex external structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation approach. The raw distance measurements from the sensors are converted through mathematical transformation into cavity shape parameters. This intermediary calculation layer enables precise shape determination from simple distance measurements without complex physical structures.
2Measurement precision
If multiple distance sensors are positioned in different directions, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each distance sensor is positioned and oriented to measure a specific directional component of movement. The sensors are arranged so that their measurement directions are non-collinear, with each sensor optimized for its local measurement task. This local specialization enables precise 3D movement reconstruction from simple unidirectional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms one-dimensional distance measurements from three sensors into two-dimensional cavity shape information. By measuring distances along three non-collinear directions and projecting these onto a plane, the system reconstructs planar shape variations without requiring sensors in every spatial dimension.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor housing is positioned within the cavity, then measurement precision improves, but the device becomes more vulnerable to tissue deformation and movement artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the relative positions of the sensor housing and cavity walls through the distance measurements. By analyzing changes in the measured distances over time, the system can distinguish between true cavity shape changes and artifacts caused by housing movement or tissue deformation, providing feedback for correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic analysis of the distance measurements to separate different types of movement. By examining the temporal patterns and relationships between the three distance sensors, the system can identify whether observed changes are due to cavity shape variation, housing movement, or tissue deformation, and adjust measurements accordingly.
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 highly accurate determination of the shape and variation of blood perfused tissue cavities, such as the ear canal, using compact sensors that do not need elaborate external structures, enabling the derivation of biometric parameters and motion-related information.
Implementation Method 1
the first distance and/or movement sensor being configured to sense a first distance or velocity from a first position and in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
the first distance and/or movement sensor being configured to sense a first distance or velocity from a first position and in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for deriving information relating to a cavity in blood perfused tissue comprising a cavity having an inner surface, the system comprising a sensor comprising a housing and, in or at the housing, a first, a second and a third distance and/or movement sensor, the housing having an outer surface and being configured to be positioned in the cavity, the first distance and/or movement sensor being configured to sense a first distance or velocity from a first position and in a first direction and output a corresponding first output signal, the second distance and/or movement sensor being configured to sense a first distance or velocity from a second position and in a second direction and output a corresponding second output signal, the third distance and/or movement being configured to sense sensing a first distance or velocity from a third position and in a third direction and output a corresponding third output signal, where, when projected on to a predetermined plane, no angle being 180° or more exists between adjacent directions, a controller configured to determine, from the first, second and third output signals, information relating to distances and/or relative movements between the sensor and the cavity along the first, second and third directions, respectively.