Gastrointestinal Manometry Pressure Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gastrointestinal manometry systems face challenges in accurately differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable pressure patterns during procedures, leading to potential data quality issues due to patient stress and disruptions, such as coughing or catheter malpositioning, which can result in inefficient data collection and prolonged procedure times.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a processor and pattern recognition algorithms, including AI, to analyze pressure patterns from catheter sensors, comparing them to known acceptable and unacceptable patterns to identify and score swallows, providing real-time alerts and reducing the number of necessary swallows by determining when a threshold of acceptable patterns is collected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pressure pattern analysis is used during gastrointestinal manometry, then clinicians can evaluate swallowing function, but data quality deteriorates due to patient stress and disruptions causing prolonged procedure times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual analysis of pressure patterns with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to detect and classify swallowing events. The system processes pressure data from the catheter sensors automatically, substituting the clinician's manual evaluation with computational analysis, thereby eliminating procedure delays and improving measurement precision through consistent, objective detection criteria
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting, analyzing, and scoring swallowing events without requiring continuous clinician intervention. The automated algorithm independently evaluates pressure patterns, determines acceptability criteria, and provides real-time feedback, allowing the system to serve itself in the data collection and evaluation process while reducing patient stress and procedure time
2Measurement precision
If real-time pattern recognition is implemented, then data accuracy improves through automated analysis, but device complexity increases due to processor and algorithm requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple capabilities into a single platform: pressure data acquisition from multiple sensors, real-time signal processing, pattern recognition algorithms, acceptability criterion evaluation, and automated scoring all within one system. This universal approach improves measurement precision while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital copying of pressure patterns from the catheter sensors, creating virtual representations of the physiological data that can be analyzed without affecting the patient or procedure. These digital copies allow for repeated analysis, algorithmic processing, and storage without adding physical complexity to the manometry system itself
3Productivity
If automated pattern recognition is used, then productivity increases by reducing the number of necessary swallows, but reliability may decrease due to algorithm errors in differentiating acceptable from unacceptable patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the automated pattern recognition algorithm continuously evaluates pressure patterns against established acceptability criteria, providing real-time classification of swallowing events. The system adjusts and refines its detection based on ongoing data streams, comparing each new pattern against previously validated patterns and criteria, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity through efficient automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing acceptability criteria and reference patterns before the actual swallowing data collection begins. These pre-programmed standards and algorithms are prepared in advance to guide the automated recognition process, ensuring reliable differentiation between acceptable and unacceptable patterns while maximizing data collection efficiency during the procedure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assisting a manometry procedure includes recording, by a processor, a plurality of pressure measurements taken by a catheter inserted within a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, determining, by the processor, a pressure pattern based on the plurality of pressure measurements, and determining whether the determined pressure pattern is an acceptable pressure pattern or an unacceptable pressure pattern.