Impedance Measuring Apparatus for Lung State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical impedance measuring apparatuses using EIT struggle to accurately differentiate between hyperextended and collapsed states of pulmonary alveoli based on impedance integration ratios, as these ratios do not effectively indicate the aerated states of the lungs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical impedance measuring apparatus comprising electrodes, a potential measurer, an impedance acquirer, and a display controller that calculates and displays whole-region and ROI average values, producing comparison information through division or subtraction to visually differentiate between hyperextended and collapsed states by displaying waveforms and graphs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If impedance integration ratio is used to represent aerated state, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates because it cannot adequately indicate hyperextended or collapsed states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the impedance measurement from a single integration ratio parameter to multiple parameters including average impedance values, difference values between ROIs, and ratio parameters. This parameter transformation enables precise detection of hyperextended and collapsed states while maintaining ease of measurement through standard impedance measurement techniques
2Device complexity
If single impedance integration ratio is displayed, then device complexity is minimized, but information completeness deteriorates as it cannot provide sufficient information about local aerated states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chest region into multiple ROIs and calculates impedance parameters for each segment. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive local aerated state information while using a standardized display framework that does not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the impedance measurement by dividing the chest into multiple ROIs and displaying parameters for each region. This dimensional expansion provides complete local aerated state information while maintaining relatively simple display through systematic organization of multi-region data
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
Enables clear visualization of whether the average impedances of segmented regions are significantly different from the whole region, facilitating the identification of hyperextension or collapse, thus adequately determining the states of pulmonary alveoli.
Implementation Method 1
a potential measurer which is configured to perform a process of applying a current to any ones of the electrodes, and measuring potentials by means of other electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical impedance measuring apparatus includes: a plurality of electrodes adhered to a periphery of a chest of a living body; a potential measurer configured to perform a process of applying a current to any ones of the electrodes, and measuring potentials by means of other electrodes; an impedance acquirer, based on the applied current and the potentials obtained by the potential measurer, configured to obtain information related to an impedance of each of meshes, a chest section divided into the meshes; and an average value calculator configured to obtain a whole-region average value of impedances of all meshes of the chest section, and configured to obtain an ROI average value of impedances of meshes contained in each of ROIs, a whole region of the chest section segmented into the ROIs.