Electric Field Body Parameter Sensing Through Bedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for computing physiological parameters of a human body, such as nighttime resting rates, face challenges with compliance, accuracy, operation through bedding, movement independence, and interference from environmental factors, particularly when multiple bodies are present.
Innovation Solution
A Body Parameter Computing Device (BPCD) uses an electric field generator to radiate a field through an antenna, interacting with the body in the reactive near-field region, and measures frequency and amplitude changes to compute parameters like heart and respiration rates, employing techniques like differential circuitry and machine learning to improve accuracy and adapt to body movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contact-based sensors are used to compute physiological parameters, then measurement precision may be adequate, but compliance and user comfort deteriorate due to wear requirements and skin contact needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with an electric field-based sensing system. The electric field generator creates a field that interacts with the body's electrical properties without requiring physical contact or wearables, thereby improving compliance and comfort while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electric field as an intermediary between the sensing system and the body. This field acts as a mediator that can detect physiological parameters through bedding and clothing without direct contact, resolving the contradiction between reliable measurement and user comfort
2Measurement precision
If contact-based sensors are used, then physiological parameters can be measured, but accuracy deteriorates due to movement artifacts and bedding interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors that are susceptible to movement artifacts with an electric field-based system. The electric field penetrates bedding and clothing without being affected by body movements, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy during sleep and rest
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensing function from physical contact by using electric field interaction. This allows the sensing system to remain stationary while the body moves freely, eliminating movement artifacts that plague contact-based sensors
3Measurement precision
If simple electric field sensing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental interference and inability to distinguish multiple bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors electric field interactions and adjusts its measurements based on detected patterns. This feedback loop enables the system to distinguish between environmental interference and actual physiological signals, improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic signal processing techniques that adapt to changing conditions. By analyzing temporal patterns and dynamics of electric field interactions, the system can distinguish between stationary environmental factors and dynamic physiological signals from multiple bodies
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal electric field sensing system that can measure multiple physiological parameters simultaneously using a single integrated setup. The electric field interacts with various body tissues and organs, allowing the system to extract multiple physiological signals without requiring separate sensors for each parameter
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 BPCD achieves high compliance and accuracy in computing physiological parameters, including predicting conditions like COPD exacerbations, by continuously monitoring with minimal interference from environmental factors and multiple bodies, even during sleep.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field generator to radiate a field through an antenna
Implementation Method 2
interacting with the body in the reactive near-field region
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an electric field generator generates an electric field at a nominal frequency. A detector measures, at multiple time points during a measuring period, one or more properties of the generated electric field. In various embodiments, the one or more properties of the electric field change over time due to interactions with a human body in a reactive near-field region of the electric field. From the measured one or more properties, a computation unit determines one or more periodic behaviors (such as a respiration or heartbeat) and one or more non-periodic behaviors (such as movement of a limb). The computation unit also computes, from at least one of the periodic and non-periodic behaviors, one or more physiological parameters of the human body. From the one or more physiological parameters, the computation unit detects one or more symptoms of a condition of the human body.