Facial Bone Vibration Patch for Non-Invasive Sinus Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing sinusitis are often inaccurate and invasive, particularly for chronic cases, and may involve unnecessary radiation or discomfort for patients, as they rely on inserting devices into the nostrils or using external vibration sources that are limited in detecting deep sinus infections.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a patch with vibration sensing devices placed on facial bones to capture resonant frequency vibrations generated by vocalization, which are then processed to determine the physiological status of the sinuses without insertion, providing a comfortable and accurate means of investigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If devices are inserted into nostrils to detect sinus vibrations, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to patient discomfort and invasiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses facial bones as an intermediary medium to transmit sinus vibrations to external sensors. Instead of directly inserting sensors into the sinus cavity or nostrils, the system captures vibrations transmitted through the facial bones, which are in direct contact with the sinuses. This intermediary approach maintains measurement precision while eliminating the need for invasive insertion procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion system with an external vibration sensing system. Instead of mechanically inserting devices into the patient's nostrils, the system uses external sensors placed on the facial surface to detect vibrations transmitted through the bones, substituting an invasive mechanical approach with a non-invasive acoustic field-based approach.
2Measurement precision
If CT scans are used to investigate sinuses, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to ionizing radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the ionizing radiation-based CT imaging system with a mechanical vibration-based detection system. Instead of using X-rays to image the sinuses, the system uses acoustic vibrations transmitted through facial bones to detect sinus pathologies, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring vibrations from patient vocalization, which would otherwise be useless noise, into a beneficial diagnostic signal. By capturing and analyzing these ambient vibrations transmitted through facial bones, the system transforms a potentially harmful radiation-based approach into a safe, non-invasive acoustic method.
3Ease of operation
If external vibration sources are used to investigate frontal sinuses, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates for deep sinus infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by instead of applying external vibration sources to the skin and expecting them to penetrate deep into the sinuses, it uses the patient's own vocalization to generate internal vibrations that naturally resonate with the sinus cavities. This inverted approach ensures that vibrations are generated from within the system, maximizing penetration depth and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the patient's own voice to serve as the vibration source for diagnosing their own sinus conditions. The patient's vocalization generates the acoustic energy needed to excite sinus vibrations, eliminating the need for external vibration devices while improving detection accuracy for deep infections.
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 device allows for non-invasive, accurate detection of sinus pathologies by capturing facial bone vibrations, enabling precise assessment of sinus conditions without discomfort or radiation, and can identify asymmetrical or pathological changes in sinus resonance.
Implementation Method 1
the vibrations in the facial bones forming the sinus are generated due to vocalization of sounds by the subject resulting in resonant frequency vibrations of the facial bones
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides device for detecting potential sinus pathologies, comprising a patch (310), comprising one or more vibration sensing devices (320), configured to be placed on facial bones overlying a sinus of a subject, wherein the patch is configured to obtain facial bone vibration signals generated due to vibrations in facial bones surrounding the sinus, wherein characteristics of the facial bone vibration signals are representative of condition of the sinus. The device further comprises a processing subsystem operationally coupled to the patch and configured to: receive the facial bone vibration signals from the patch during vocalization of sounds by the subject, resulting in resonant frequency vibrations of the facial bones; and determine a physiological measure of the sinus of the subject based on characteristics of the facial bone vibration signals received during said vocalization of sounds by the subject, wherein the facial bone vibration signals comprise the resonant frequency vibrations.