Earbud Biosignal Detection via Infrasonic Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical diagnostics systems for monitoring physiological functions are inconvenient, uncomfortable, and often require invasive procedures or trained technicians, limiting their accessibility and increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An earbud designed to play audio and passively detect infrasonic biosignals from the inner ear canal, integrating into a health monitoring system that assesses cardiovascular activity without the need for clinical settings or additional devices, using a nozzle, housing, and infrasonic/vibration sensor to monitor physiological signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing medical diagnostics systems are used to monitor physiological functions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring clinical settings, trained technicians, and invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single earbud device: audio playback through the speaker and biosignal detection through the infrasonic/vibration sensor. This integration eliminates the need for separate medical monitoring equipment and clinical settings, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The earbud serves multiple purposes: it functions as both an audio device and a medical monitoring device. The same structure (ear canal placement) enables both music playback and cardiovascular activity monitoring, making the device universal and eliminating the need for specialized medical equipment
2Measurement precision
If existing medical diagnostics systems are used to monitor physiological functions, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring trained technicians and invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The earbud enables self-monitoring of physiological functions. The user simply inserts the earbud into the ear canal, and the device automatically detects and transmits biosignals without requiring trained technicians or invasive procedures, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical medical monitoring systems with a simplified electronic sensor-based system. The infrasonic/vibration sensor electronically detects biosignals without requiring physical contact or invasive procedures, making the system easier to operate while maintaining accuracy
3Measurement precision
If existing medical diagnostics systems are used to monitor physiological functions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time deteriorates due to requiring clinical visits
Solution Approach 1:
The earbud enables continuous preliminary monitoring of physiological functions in the user's everyday environment. By detecting biosignals continuously through the ear canal, the system eliminates the need for scheduled clinical visits, thus reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision through continuous data collection
4Measurement precision
If existing medical diagnostics systems are used to monitor physiological functions, then measurement precision is improved, but cost deteriorates due to requiring additional devices and clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio playback functionality and medical monitoring functionality into a single earbud device. The speaker provides audio output while the infrasonic/vibration sensor detects biosignals, eliminating the need for separate medical monitoring equipment and reducing overall system cost while maintaining measurement precision
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
Enables non-invasive, user-friendly monitoring of physiological activity, including cardiovascular health, with the ability to provide feedback through audio playback, reducing the need for clinical visits and extra devices, while maintaining accuracy and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an infrasound/vibration sensor that detects biosignals including infrasonic signals from a body of the individual in the inner ear canal
Implementation Method 2
a speaker that reproduces sound from an audio source and transmits the sound into the inner ear canal via the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An earbud for detecting biosignals from and presenting audio signals at an inner ear canal and method therefor are disclosed. The earbud includes a nozzle and a housing including a body. The nozzle extends from the housing body and has a proximal end arranged for positioning within an inner ear canal of an individual. An earbud tip of the earbud attaches to the proximal end of the nozzle and is adapted to engage the inner ear canal. The earbud includes a speaker and various sensors including an infrasonic/vibration sensor. The infrasonic/vibration sensor detects the biosignals including infrasonic signals from the body of the individual in the canal, and the speaker transmits sound from an audio source into the canal via the nozzle. The earbud preferably seals the inner ear canal to block external sound while also decreasing an acoustic volume of the canal that amplifies the biosignals prior to detection.