Fecal Gas Detection for Intestinal Bacteria Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an efficient method to accurately estimate intestinal information from components in gases released from feces, which is crucial for understanding intestinal health.

Innovation Solution

The intestinal information estimation system includes a detector that identifies specific components like methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide in fecal gases, and an estimator that uses a prediction model to determine the amount and existence ratio of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and metabolites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional feces examination methods are used to estimate intestinal information, then measurement precision may be adequate, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveestimation accuracy of intestinal informationVSAvoidoperational convenience of intestinal examination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical feces examination methods with a gas detection system using sensors to detect volatile components in fecal matter. The detector captures gas phase information non-invasively, eliminating the need for direct fecal sample handling while maintaining estimation accuracy through correlation between gas composition and intestinal bacterial states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gas phase volatile components as an intermediary medium between the fecal matter and the detection system. By detecting gases that volatilize from feces rather than analyzing feces directly, the system achieves accurate intestinal information estimation while significantly improving ease of operation and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive feces analysis is performed to accurately determine bacterial amounts and ratios, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of bacterial amount and ratio estimationVSAvoidcomplexity of detection and estimation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential volatile gas components (such as short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites) that carry information about intestinal bacterial composition. By focusing detection on these specific gas phase substances rather than analyzing all fecal components, the system achieves accurate bacterial estimation with reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the measurement parameter from direct fecal analysis to gas phase concentration detection. By measuring the concentration and composition of volatile components in the gas phase, the system simplifies the detection process while maintaining the ability to estimate bacterial amounts and ratios through established correlation models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple gas components are detected to improve intestinal information accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of intestinal information estimationVSAvoidnumber of detection components required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal detection approach where a single gas detection system analyzes multiple volatile components simultaneously. The detector is designed to capture various gas phase substances (short-chain fatty acids, sulfur compounds, ammonia, etc.) using one integrated platform, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices while achieving comprehensive intestinal information estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enables accurate estimation of intestinal information, allowing for better monitoring and management of intestinal health without the need for cumbersome feces examinations.

Implementation Method 1

a detector configured to detect a predetermined component from a gas released from feces of a subject and output a detection signal depending on a concentration of the predetermined component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250147005A1Intestinal information estimation system

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

Intestinal information of a subject is accurately estimated from a component contained in a gas generated from feces of the subject. Included are a detector configured to detect a predetermined component from a gas released from feces of a subject and output a detection signal depending on a concentration of the predetermined component and an estimator configured to input the detection signal or the concentration of the predetermined component corresponding to the detection signal to a prediction model and estimate information regarding an amount and/or an existence ratio of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and/or a metabolite contained in the feces of the subject. The predetermined component is at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.