ESC Measurement Pre-Stabilization for Home Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical sudoral skin (ESC) measurement devices used at home, such as bathroom scales, face user deterrence due to lengthy measurement times, which are acceptable in clinical settings but not suitable for home use where convenience is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method that includes a pre-stabilization period before the measurement, where the electrical resistance value of the measurement resistor is set to a lower value and a pre-stabilization voltage is applied, significantly reducing the overall measurement duration by allowing earlier stabilization of electrochemical reactions at the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a long stabilization period is used to allow electrochemical phenomena to stabilize at the electrodes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary stabilization period before the actual measurement to allow electrochemical phenomena to stabilize at the electrodes. This preliminary action ensures that when measurement begins, the electrochemical reactions are already in a stable state, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring long stabilization periods during the measurement itself. The preliminary stabilization is performed at a first current value, and then measurement proceeds at a second current value, effectively separating the stabilization function from the measurement function.
2Ease of operation
If measurement duration is shortened for home use convenience, then user engagement is improved, but electrochemical reaction stabilization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization at a first current value before switching to the measurement current value. This preliminary action ensures electrochemical reactions are stabilized without requiring the measurement itself to be prolonged. By separating stabilization from measurement in time, the system achieves both short measurement duration for user convenience and adequate electrochemical stabilization for accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current value parameter between different phases: a first current value is used during preliminary stabilization, and a second current value is used during measurement. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for stabilization during the preliminary phase and for measurement accuracy during the measurement phase, achieving both short total duration and high accuracy.
3Speed
If measurement resistor electrical resistance value is set to a lower value during pre-stabilization, then stabilization speed is improved, but current through the body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lower electrical resistance value during the preliminary stabilization phase to accelerate electrochemical reaction stabilization. Although this increases current through the body during stabilization, the duration of this high-current phase is limited to only the preliminary stabilization period. After stabilization is achieved, the system switches to the measurement phase with appropriate resistance values, ensuring that the increased current does not persist throughout the entire measurement process.
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
This approach allows for a substantial reduction in the total duration of the ESC evaluation, making the device more user-friendly and engaging for home use by shortening the measurement time without compromising the accuracy of the neurologic state estimation.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement resistor configured to determine a current value flowing through the used body
Implementation Method 2
the stabilization of electrochemical reactions at the electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method to evaluate an electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) of a user body using a measurement device, the measurement device comprising a pair of electrodes (104L, 104R) comprising an anode (Ea) and a cathode (Ec), a direct voltage source (202), a measurement resistor (210), control circuitry (204) configured to set the electrical resistance value (Rm) of the measurement resistor (210) and to set the value of the direct voltage (Va), wherein the method comprises, by the control circuitry (204): pre-stabilizing (600) during a pre-stabilizing period, measuring during a measurement period following the pre-stabilization period.