Respiratory Impedance Detection Without Image Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) technologies require complex electrode arrangements, extensive computing power, and complex algorithms to generate image data, making it inefficient for quickly determining changes in electrical impedance during breathing/ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A device using at least two electrically conductive electrodes to detect impedance changes over time, with a control unit evaluating and displaying impedance progression, slope, and polarity to determine inspiration and expiration phases, allowing for quick and effective impedance monitoring without generating image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex electrode arrangements and algorithms are used to generate EIT image data, then image resolution is improved, but device complexity and computing requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for ventilation monitoring from the EIT data, specifically the impedance changes over time during breathing phases, while discarding the complex image generation process. This allows obtaining useful ventilation information without requiring complex electrode arrangements or computational algorithms for image reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex image data to derive ventilation parameters, the patent inverts the approach by directly measuring impedance changes during breathing phases and using simple algorithms to extract ventilation information. This reverses the conventional EIT workflow where image reconstruction is the primary output.
2Measurement precision
If complex algorithms and computing power are used to generate EIT images, then image quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential temporal impedance changes during breathing phases, eliminating the need for time-consuming image reconstruction algorithms. By focusing solely on impedance variations rather than generating complete images, processing time is significantly reduced while maintaining useful ventilation monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by directly analyzing impedance changes during breathing phases rather than reconstructing images first. This reversal of the processing sequence enables rapid extraction of ventilation parameters without the computational burden of image generation.
3Loss of information
If EIT image data is generated and analyzed, then ventilation information can be obtained, but the system becomes less responsive to real-time breathing changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts impedance changes during breathing phases directly from the raw signal, skipping the intermediate image reconstruction step. This direct extraction method provides real-time ventilation information with minimal processing delay, enabling rapid response to breathing changes while maintaining complete ventilation information through continuous impedance monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the processing sequence to analyze impedance changes directly rather than reconstructing images first, the system achieves real-time responsiveness. The reversed workflow eliminates the time-consuming image generation step while preserving complete ventilation information through continuous temporal impedance analysis.
4Measurement precision
If traditional EIT methods are used with multiple electrodes and complex algorithms, then impedance distribution can be mapped, but the system is less suitable for continuous long-term monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the temporal impedance changes during breathing phases, eliminating the need for complex spatial impedance distribution mapping. This extraction approach maintains sufficient accuracy for ventilation monitoring while dramatically improving monitoring efficiency through simpler processing and reduced computational overhead, making it suitable for continuous long-term use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional EIT approach by directly analyzing impedance temporal variations rather than reconstructing spatial impedance distributions. This reversal enables continuous monitoring with reduced computational complexity, improving productivity while maintaining adequate measurement precision for ventilation parameter extraction.
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 rapid and cost-effective detection of impedance changes, reducing false triggers and improving ventilation control by using relative impedance measurements and adaptive ventilation settings based on impedance variations.
Implementation Method 1
A common method for obtaining image data using EIT is to input an electric current into a pair of conductive electrodes and measure potentials generated between another pair of conductive electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the impedance being detected using at least two electrically conductive electrodes which record the electrical behavior of the living body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting the electrical behavior (40) of the human body (90) during respiration and/or ventilation, comprising means for ventilation (20) and means for detecting the impedance (30) of the patient (90) and at least one control unit (19), wherein the detection of the impedance (40) is carried out using at least two electrically conductive electrodes (31) that detect the electrical behavior of the human body (90), wherein the means for detecting the impedance (30) are configured to detect the change in the impedance of the human body (90) over the course of respiration and/or ventilation.