Microwave Stethoscope Side-by-Side Sensor Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical sensors for continuous patient monitoring are often invasive, require wired connections, measure only one vital sign, and are susceptible to motion artifacts, limiting their use in home-based settings and for patients with changing lung water content, such as those with pulmonary edema or post-surgery.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive microwave stethoscope with a side-by-side transmission-reception sensor configuration on the chest, using a coplanar waveguide structure and textile fabrication for improved signal quality and comfort, combined with advanced digital signal processing to extract multiple vital signs and lung water content from a single microwave measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmission coefficient measurements are used to measure lung water content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring two properly aligned sensors placed front-to-back across the thorax
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement function into two separate sensors: one for transmission measurement (placed on the chest) and one for reflection measurement (placed on the back). This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specific function independently, eliminating the need for complex front-to-back alignment while still enabling accurate lung water content measurement through the combination of transmission and reflection coefficient measurements.
2Measurement precision
If front-to-back sensor alignment is used for transmission measurements, then lung water content detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection sensor automatically measures the reflection coefficient from the back of the patient, which compensates for any misalignment or positioning errors of the transmission sensor on the chest. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual alignment adjustment, making the device easy to operate while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If a single reflection sensor is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient signal information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission measurement approach (which provides accurate lung water content data) with the reflection measurement approach (which is easy to implement). By combining both measurement methods in a single system, the patent achieves both ease of operation and high measurement precision, as the transmission sensor provides the primary measurement while the reflection sensor compensates for signal losses and provides additional verification.
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 solution enables accurate, continuous monitoring of vital signs and lung water content with improved signal quality and reduced noise, suitable for home-based and remote patient monitoring, while maintaining wearer comfort and minimizing electromagnetic leakage.
Implementation Method 1
A non-invasive microwave stethoscope with a side-by-side transmission-reception sensor configuration on the chest
Implementation Method 2
The proposed microwave stethoscope was based on microwave reflection coefficient measurements on a patient's chest
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave stethoscope measurement method and sensor design employ a microwave transmission sensor and a microwave reception sensor placed on a patient's chest in spaced-apart side-by-side configuration for monitoring patient vital signs, lung water content and other critical measurements. The side-by-side sensors are spaced apart a separation distance of about 1-3 cm in lateral chest orientation. The sensors may be formed with a textile fabric for wearer comfort and to improve contact with the patient's skin. The microwave sensor measurements are digitally processed using a modified short time Fourier Transform (STFT) spectrum windowed-averaged algorithm. Output data extracted from the microwave sensor measurements may be transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device such as a smartphone for remote monitoring of the patient's medical condition.