Magnetometer-Based Respiratory Motion Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory monitoring devices are obtrusive, costly, and not conducive to continuous or long-term monitoring, especially for patients with certain conditions, as they often require complex infrastructure and cannot accurately measure tidal volume changes or handle patient movement, limiting their use for home monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a sensor to measure oscillatory motion by determining the angle of rotation of a vector parameter relative to a predominant direction, allowing for continuous, unobtrusive, and cost-effective respiratory monitoring without the need for restraining apparatus or complex infrastructure, using a processor to analyze signals from a vector parameter, such as a gravitational or magnetic field, to calculate angular velocity and respiratory flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If obtrusive constrictive belts with strain gauges are used to measure respiration, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to patient discomfort and inability to move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical strain gauges and physical contact sensors with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnet is attached to the patient's chest, and a magnetometer sensor detects changes in magnetic field orientation as the chest moves during respiration. This eliminates the need for constrictive belts and mechanical contact, allowing free patient movement while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If complex infrastructure is used for respiration monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases making home monitoring difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex medical infrastructure by using a simple magnetometer sensor that detects magnetic field orientation changes. This standalone sensor can operate independently without requiring complex signal processing equipment, ventilation systems, or specialized medical infrastructure, enabling simple home monitoring while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a magnetic field as a proxy or copy of the physical chest movement. Instead of directly measuring mechanical displacement with complex sensors, it captures the orientation changes of the magnetic field caused by chest motion, simplifying the measurement system while preserving the essential respiratory information.
3Measurement precision
If stationary patient monitoring is required for accurate measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to allow patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement system dynamic by detecting changes in magnetic field orientation rather than relying on fixed positional measurements. The magnetometer continuously tracks the orientation of the magnetic field vector as the patient moves and breathes, allowing accurate respiration measurement during patient movement rather than requiring the patient to remain stationary.
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 precise and accurate measurement of respiratory parameters like respiratory flow rate and tidal volume changes, allowing for continuous, low-cost, and remote monitoring of respiratory health without the need for complex equipment or initial precise sensor placement, effectively distinguishing valid measurement signals from noise.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured for attachment to a body part that undergoes oscillatory motion during respiration so as to move with the body part; wherein the sensor is arranged to provide signals indicative of a measurement of a direction of a vector parameter
Implementation Method 2
a measured direction of the vector parameter (a t) of one of the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter, and the predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (a t)
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, computer program, system and device for measuring oscillatory motion comprising: receiving a plurality of signals related to a plurality of measurements of a direction of a vector parameter (at-1, at); determining a predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (āt) based on the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter; determining an angle of rotation (φt) between: a measured direction of the vector parameter (at) of one of the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter, and the predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (āt).