Image-Based Spirometry Using Upper Body Movement Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-contact spirometry methods are cumbersome and not widely used due to the need for complex three-dimensional chest movement measurements, which are difficult and time-consuming to acquire, and often require invasive devices like mouthpieces and nose clips, limiting their application in home settings.
Innovation Solution
An image-based spirometry system that captures upper body movement images using a camera to determine flow-volume curves and spirometry parameters without the need for invasive devices, employing feature point identification, affine transformation, and calibration to derive respiratory data from shoulder movement, enabling accurate and quick measurement of respiratory cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex three-dimensional chest movement measurements are used for non-contact spirometry, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement information needed for spirometry (two-dimensional chest wall displacement in the vertical direction) from the complex three-dimensional measurement space. By using a single camera to capture only the necessary planar movement of the chest wall, the system achieves accurate spirometry measurements without requiring complex 3D reconstruction systems with multiple cameras and retroreflective markers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex 3D measurement systems to capture chest movement, the patent inverts the approach by using simple 2D video imaging to capture chest wall displacement. The system processes standard video frames to extract respiratory information, transforming a potentially complex 3D measurement problem into a simpler 2D image analysis problem that maintains measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If complex three-dimensional chest movement measurements are used for non-contact spirometry, then measurement precision can be improved, but the time required for measurement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement information needed for spirometry (two-dimensional chest wall displacement in the vertical direction) from the complex three-dimensional measurement space. By using a single camera to capture only the necessary planar movement of the chest wall, the system achieves accurate spirometry measurements without requiring complex 3D reconstruction systems with multiple cameras and retroreflective markers.
3Measurement precision
If invasive devices like mouthpieces and nose clips are used for spirometry, then measurement precision can be improved, but ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive measurement system (mouthpiece and nose clip requiring direct air flow measurement) with an optical measurement system using video imaging. The system captures chest wall displacement optically and derives respiratory flow information from the kinematics of chest movement, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical interfaces while maintaining measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If multiple cameras and retroreflective markers are used for three-dimensional chest movement measurement, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement information needed for spirometry (two-dimensional chest wall displacement in the vertical direction) from the complex three-dimensional measurement space. By using a single camera to capture only the necessary planar movement of the chest wall, the system achieves accurate spirometry measurements without requiring complex 3D reconstruction systems with multiple cameras and retroreflective markers.
Data Source
AI summary
A spirometry system includes an imaging device configured to capture upper body movement images of a subject during inhalation and exhalation of the subject. The system further includes at least one controller configured to receive the captured images from the imaging device and, based upon the received images, determine at least one of an image-based spirometry flow-volume curve for the subject or an image-based spirometry parameter for the subject.