Hydrostatic Body Composition System with Shock Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current body composition measurement methods, such as electrical impedance scales and skin calipers, are inaccurate and unreliable, especially for individuals with pathological conditions, and conventional DEXA methods are costly and limited in availability, while existing hydrostatic systems face challenges with transportation and accuracy due to inadequate design for shock and vibration loads.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining body composition in a hydrostatic environment using a weighing device, subject load transfer structure, and container with liquid, which measures dry and wet weights to calculate body density and composition, incorporating hardware processors to determine residual lung volume, gastrointestinal volume, and fat mass fraction, providing accurate and independent measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional DEXA methods are used for body composition analysis, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost and availability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive DEXA imaging system with a mechanical hydrostatic weighing system that uses a weighing device and liquid container to measure body composition through buoyancy forces, achieving comparable accuracy at lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recreates the gold-standard hydrostatic weighing measurement capability in a simplified, portable format that copies the essential measurement principle without requiring expensive laboratory equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing hydrostatic systems are transported, then accessibility is improved, but measurement accuracy is worsened due to shock and vibration loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates shock-absorbing mounting structures and vibration isolation elements that are pre-installed to protect the weighing device from transportation shocks and vibrations, maintaining measurement accuracy during mobile operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent includes leveling mechanisms and adjustment systems that allow the operator to correct for tilt and position variations after transportation, restoring the measurement system to its optimal calibration state
3Ease of operation
If electrical impedance scales are used for body composition measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement reliability is worsened due to fluctuations from hydration and metabolic state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical impedance measurement with mechanical hydrostatic weighing that directly measures body volume through buoyancy, providing measurements that are not affected by hydration status or metabolic variations
4Ease of operation
If skin caliper method is used for body fat measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision is worsened for individuals with higher body fat or pathological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual skin caliper measurement with an automated hydrostatic weighing system that objectively measures body composition through physical principles, eliminating operator skill limitations and anatomical accessibility constraints
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 accurate and reliable body composition analysis, reducing errors and discomfort, allowing for private measurements, and is cost-effective by eliminating the need for swinging plates and technician intervention, while ensuring accuracy and safety through proper leveling and reduced exposure to water.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device configured to measure at least one of a dry weight, and a wet weight corresponding to a body density of the subject
Implementation Method 2
a container, comprising a liquid and the subject load transfer structure within the liquid, for determining the wet weight of the subject in a hydrostatic environment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining body composition of subject in hydrostatic environment is disclosed. The system includes weighing device to measure dry weight and wet weight of subject, subject load transfer structure to receive load of subject, container with liquid, and container load transfer structure to transfer load from weighing device to container. System includes processors to receive user input comprising attributes of subject and determine residual lung volume of subject. Further, processors determine body density based on residual lung volume, gastrointestinal volume, water density, and both dry and wet weights of subject (shown in equation (3)). Further, processors determine fat-mass fraction and lean mass fraction of subject based on body composition derived from body density.