Gastric Activity Mapping via Electrode Array Patch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for chronic gastro-duodenal symptoms are inadequate, relying on symptom-based criteria that lead to overlapping diagnoses and ineffective treatment plans, particularly for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive gastric activity detection system using an electrode array patch and data acquisition device for mapping gastric activity, combined with real-time patient symptom reporting, to provide objective symptom profiling and gastrointestinal phenotyping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If symptom-based diagnostic criteria are used to classify gastrointestinal disorders, then diagnosis can be made without invasive testing, but diagnostic accuracy decreases due to overlapping symptoms between disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gastric impedance monitoring as an intermediary objective measure between subjective symptom reporting and diagnostic classification. The impedance data serves as a mediator that quantifies gastric motility and emptying, allowing clinicians to differentiate between disorders with overlapping symptoms based on physiological parameters rather than symptom patterns alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/symptom-based diagnostic system with an electrical/physiological monitoring system. Instead of relying on patients' mechanical reporting of symptoms, the system uses electrical impedance measurements to objectively assess gastric function, substituting subjective symptom assessment with objective physiological data
2Measurement precision
If invasive diagnostic tests such as endoscopies and manometry are performed to improve diagnostic accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but patient harm and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable adhesive electrode array that is applied to the patient's abdomen and then discarded after use. This single-use device eliminates the need for reusable invasive instruments, reducing cross-contamination risks and eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes invasive mechanical testing (manometry, endoscopy) with non-invasive electrical impedance monitoring. The impedance measurement system captures gastric motility information through the abdominal wall without requiring insertion of tubes or probes into the gastrointestinal tract, thereby eliminating procedural harms
3Reliability
If multiple invasive tests are performed to distinguish specific gastrointestinal disorders, then diagnostic reliability improves, but loss of time and healthcare cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple diagnostic functions into a single impedance monitoring system. The electrode array simultaneously captures gastric motility patterns, emptying rates, and rhythm information, replacing the need for separate tests such as gastric scintigraphy, manometry, and barium studies that would otherwise be required to assess different aspects of gastric function
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance monitoring system serves multiple diagnostic functions: it assesses gastric motility, measures emptying rates, evaluates rhythm stability, and differentiates between various gastrointestinal disorders. This multi-functional device replaces several specialized tests, reducing both time and resource requirements while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability
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 system offers a reliable and objective method for assessing gastric motor function, providing accurate diagnostic results in over 75% of cases and enabling personalized treatment plans by correlating symptoms with gastric activity.
Implementation Method 1
measuring electrical signals associated with gastric activity of the patient with the electrode array patch
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses systems and methods for mapping gastric activity with an electrode array patch disposed over an abdomen skin surface of a patient. A method may include measuring electrical signals associated with gastric activity of the patient with the electrode array patch over a predetermined time period and concurrently receiving patient symptom information, determining one or more normalized biometrics from the measured electrical signals, correlating the one or more normalized biometrics and the patient symptom information, determining a measure of correlation, determining a measure of temporal association, and determining a gastrointestinal phenotype of the patient based at least in part on the measure of correlation and the measure of temporal association. The present invention advantageously enables mapping of gut motility patterns at high spatial resolution for the identification of gastric disorders and provides biomarkers of pathophysiology which include correlations with symptom severity profiles.