Integrated Patient Parameter Sensor for Simultaneous Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stethoscopes are inefficient in simultaneously and reliably measuring multiple patient parameters, such as temperature, body sounds, and oxygen blood level, which hinders effective diagnosis and disease severity assessment.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with a casing containing at least three sensors: a temperature sensor, a sound sensor for recording body sounds, and an oximeter sensor for measuring oxygen blood level and heart rate. These sensors are designed to operate simultaneously when the device is in contact with the patient's skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional stethoscope is used for auscultation, then medical expertise and training requirements are met, but measurement time and diagnostic efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions (temperature sensor, sound sensor, oximeter sensor) into a single integrated device that can simultaneously measure multiple patient parameters. This merging of functions allows the device to capture temperature, body sounds, and oxygen blood level all at once, eliminating the need for separate measurement tools and reducing overall measurement time while maintaining diagnostic reliability through multi-parameter monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with multi-functionality to perform various measurement tasks through a single unit. The casing incorporates a temperature sensor for thermal measurement, a sound sensor for acoustic recording, and an oximeter sensor for oxygen saturation monitoring. This universal design enables the device to serve multiple diagnostic purposes simultaneously, improving efficiency without compromising the expertise required for accurate interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple parameters are measured using separate tools, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and operational time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter measurement precisionVSAvoidnumber of measurement tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device. The casing houses a temperature sensor, sound sensor, and oximeter sensor that can simultaneously measure temperature, body sounds, and oxygen blood level. This consolidation reduces the number of separate tools a physician would need to handle and switch between, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining precision through dedicated sensors for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device segments different measurement functions into distinct sensor components within a unified structure. Each sensor (temperature, sound, oximeter) is independently designed to measure its specific parameter with high precision, while the overall device architecture integrates these segmented functions into a coordinated system. This segmentation allows each sensor to optimize its measurement capability while the combined device reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional auscultation tools are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and diagnostic efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of auscultationVSAvoiddiagnostic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement capabilities into a single device that maintains ease of operation while significantly improving productivity. The integrated design with a unified casing and coordinated sensor system allows physicians to obtain multiple parameters (temperature, sounds, oxygen level) in a single measurement action, eliminating the need to switch between separate tools and thereby increasing diagnostic efficiency without complicating the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to automatically perform multiple measurements simultaneously without requiring separate manual operations for each parameter. When the device is placed on the patient, it autonomously captures temperature, body sounds, and oxygen saturation data in parallel, reducing the physician's workload and measurement time while maintaining the simplicity of the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device allows for simultaneous measurement of multiple patient parameters, reducing the time required for diagnosis, improving diagnostic reliability, and enabling more accurate disease severity grading.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy detection:

Implementation Method 2

a sound sensor to record a body sound of the patient, preferably pulmonary sound and/or heart sound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave detection: Sound

Implementation Method 3

an oximeter sensor to measure an oxygen blood level of the patient and/or the patient's heart rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4346569B1Device and method for measuring parameters of a patient
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA
  • EP4346569B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4346569B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4346569B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present relates to a device for measuring at least one parameter of a patient, the device comprising a casing equipped with at least one sensor for measuring said parameter of the patient. The device comprises at least three sensors, each sensor being configured for measuring one distinct parameter, said three sensors being chosen among a list comprising at least a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the patient, a sound sensor to record a body sound of the patient and an oximeter sensor to measure a blood oxygen level of the patient. The three sensors are mounted in the casing so that when the device is in contact with the skin of the patient, at least two distinct parameters, preferably three distinct parameters, are measured simultaneously.