In-Ear Biosensor for Noninvasive Cardiovascular Stenosis Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiovascular stenosis monitoring systems are invasive, costly, and require frequent clinical visits, with non-invasive systems being less accurate and limited to short monitoring periods, often necessitating trained technicians and potentially risky procedures.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive cardiovascular stenosis monitoring system using in-ear biosensors that detect infrasonic signals from the cardiovascular system, analyzed via a cloud-based data system to diagnose and characterize stenosis, providing continuous monitoring and reducing the need for clinical settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive monitoring systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses infrasonic waves as an intermediary medium to transmit cardiovascular information from the patient's body to external sensors. These waves naturally propagate through tissues without requiring invasive insertion, yet carry sufficient diagnostic information about stenosis conditions to achieve accurate noninvasive measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical invasive measurement systems with an acoustic field-based detection system. Instead of physically inserting sensors into blood vessels, the system uses infrasonic wave propagation and detection to obtain cardiovascular diagnostic information, substituting mechanical intrusion with acoustic field interaction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noninvasive monitoring systems are used, then patient risk is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional surface-level acoustic detection to deep tissue infrasonic wave detection. By utilizing the penetrative capability of infrasonic waves and analyzing their propagation characteristics through multiple tissue layers, the system achieves accurate stenosis detection from external measurements without compromising precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of acoustic detection to the infrasonic range. This parameter change enables the detection waves to penetrate deeper into tissues while carrying diagnostic information about cardiovascular stenosis, thereby maintaining measurement precision in noninvasive conditions.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the monitoring system with multi-functionality, where a single wearable device performs multiple functions: generating infrasonic waves, detecting reflected waves, processing signals, and providing continuous monitoring. This universal design achieves reliable continuous diagnostics without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system incorporates automated signal processing and analysis capabilities that operate without requiring constant external intervention. The device performs self-calibration, automatic stenosis detection, and continuous monitoring, reducing the operational complexity burden while maintaining high diagnostic reliability.
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 accurate, continuous, and cost-effective monitoring of cardiovascular stenosis, reducing the risk associated with invasive procedures and improving patient convenience by using in-ear biosensors to analyze infrasonic signals for stenosis detection and characterization.
Implementation Method 1
The in-ear biosensor system includes at least one earbud placed at or within an ear canal of an individual, where the at least one earbud includes one or more infrasound/vibration sensors that detect biosignals including infrasounds indicative of blood vessel stenosis from the individual.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (CV stenosis system) and method for noninvasive cardiac stenosis monitoring, diagnosis, analysis and reporting are disclosed. The CV stenosis system includes an in-ear biosensor system and a data analysis system. The in-ear biosensor system includes at least one earbud placed at or within an ear canal of an individual, where the at least one earbud includes one or more acoustic/vibration sensors that operate in both infrasonic and audible frequency ranges and detect biosignals from the individual. The data analysis system receives the biosignals from the biosensor system, separates the biosignals into components including infrasonic cardiac signals, and determines a type and level/severity of cardiovascular stenosis of the individual based upon the biosignals. In embodiments, the CV stenosis system can detect aortic stenosis and determine its severity, and detect stenoses of the left and right carotid arteries.