Hyperspectral Edema Detection via Reflected Light Intensity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tele-monitoring techniques for heart failure patients, including weight and vital sign monitoring, have shown no significant impact on morbidity and mortality, and there is a need for a more effective method to detect and monitor edema, a life-threatening condition that often requires adjustments in treatment regimens.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive system and method using a light source to irradiate tissue, a detector to collect reflected light, and a processing device to calculate light intensity and determine edema presence and severity, employing tunable filters and various imaging modalities to generate edema scores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current tele-monitoring techniques (weight and vital sign monitoring) are used for heart failure patients, then monitoring can be performed, but there is no significant impact on morbidity and mortality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact on morbidity and mortalityVSAvoidmonitoring system effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from monitoring general vital signs and weight to specifically monitoring edema-related parameters (tissue fluid content, tissue impedance, tissue optical properties) using specialized sensors and imaging techniques, thereby improving clinical relevance and impact on patient outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical monitoring methods (weight scales, vital sign monitors) with optical and electrical field-based detection methods (optical coherence tomography, impedance spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging) to detect tissue fluid content and edema formation at the tissue level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If multiple tele-monitoring parameters (weight, vital signs, electrolyte levels) are monitored, then comprehensive data is collected, but the data does not significantly improve patient outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive health dataVSAvoidimpact on morbidity and mortality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses specifically on edema-related information from the complex set of monitoring parameters by using specialized sensors that directly detect tissue fluid content, thereby eliminating noise from irrelevant data and improving the clinical utility of monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves from systemic monitoring (whole-body weight, general vital signs) to localized tissue-level monitoring, detecting fluid accumulation at the specific tissue level where edema manifests, providing more direct and actionable information for clinical decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If traditional edema detection methods are used, then monitoring can be performed, but early detection and severity assessment are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedema detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary detection of edema formation by monitoring tissue-level changes before they manifest as visible swelling or significant weight changes, allowing for early intervention before edema becomes severe or symptomatic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective clinical assessment and delayed visual inspection with objective, quantitative optical and electrical sensing that can detect subtle tissue changes in real-time, improving both precision and timing of edema detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 an objective method for clinicians to monitor fluid retention and guide treatment, potentially reducing readmissions by accurately detecting and monitoring edema levels in patients with various medical conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a light source configured to irradiate a patient's tissue with light, a detector configured to collect reflected light from the patient's tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one filter configured to filter the reflected light. In some examples, the at least one filter is a tunable filter configured to filter the reflected light a specific wavelength range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS12076162B2Systems and methods for detecting edema by fusing hyperspectral and visible image

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 CHEMIMAGE CORP

AI summary

System and method for detecting and monitoring edema in a patient are described. Initially, a patient's tissue is irradiated with light by a light source. A detector collects reflected light from the patient's tissue and generates data associated with the reflected light. A processing device receives the data and reflected light and calculates an intensity of the reflected light. The processing device then determined, based upon the intensity of the reflected light, whether the patient's tissue exhibits any symptoms of edema. Additionally, the processing device can compare a current intensity of the reflected light against historic information to monitor for any changes in a patient's edema level or severity.