Multi-Sensor Hot Flash Detection Circuit with Predictive Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot flashes (HFs) are a common and distressing menopausal symptom that can occur randomly, impacting daily life and quality of life, with existing treatments like hormone therapy and non-hormonal medications having side effects and limitations, and there is a need for more effective and user-friendly management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple sensor circuits, such as photoplethysmogram, skin conductance, and temperature sensors, combined with processor circuitry, which uses a predictive data model to identify HF events in real-time by extracting features from sensor signals, aligning them to a common time point, and communicating alerts to the user, allowing for potential intervention actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hormone therapy is used to eradicate hot flashes, then the frequency and severity of HFs is reduced, but side effects and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wearable sensor system as an intermediary tool that monitors physiological parameters (skin conductance, temperature, heart rate) to detect and predict hot flash events. This mediator enables proactive management and intervention without requiring hormone therapy, thus achieving HF reduction while avoiding the harmful side effects of hormonal medications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors physiological signals and provides real-time feedback about hot flash events through mobile applications. This feedback loop allows users to understand their patterns, receive alerts before events occur, and implement behavioral interventions, achieving effective HF management without pharmacological side effects.
2Reliability
If non-hormonal prescription medications are used, then hot flashes are effectively treated, but side effects and limited suitability remain
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable sensor system serves as a non-pharmacological intermediary that detects physiological changes associated with hot flashes through multiple sensors. This mediator provides an alternative treatment pathway that achieves effective HF management without the side effects and suitability limitations of non-hormonal medications like SSRIs or gabapentin.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor circuits are used to improve HF detection accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor circuits (skin conductance sensor, temperature sensor, PPG sensor, motion sensor) into a single integrated wearable device. This merging approach maintains high measurement precision for HF detection while consolidating complexity into one unified system rather than separate devices, making the solution more user-friendly and practical.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed with multi-functionality, using the same sensor array to detect not only hot flash events but also sleep quality, stress levels, and other physiological parameters. This universality justifies the device complexity by providing multiple health monitoring benefits from a single system, increasing its value and user acceptance.
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 provides accurate and timely identification of HF events, enabling users to take proactive measures, improving quality of life by reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and their impact on daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor
Implementation Method 2
a skin conductance (SC) sensor
Implementation Method 3
a temperature (T) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to systems, devices, and methods involving hot flash (HF) multi-sensor circuits. An example system includes a plurality of sensor circuits and processor circuitry. The sensor circuits obtain a plurality of sensor signals associated with the user. The processor circuitry extracts features from the plurality of sensor signals obtained by the plurality of sensor circuits, aligns the extracted features to a common time point, identifies a HF event for the user using a predictive data model indicative of probability of the HF event occurring for the user at a date and time and based on the aligned extracted features, and communicates a message indicative of the HF event to the user.