Mobile Device Passive Data Analysis for Cognitive Decline Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting cognitive decline, such as neuropsychological tests, require active participation and specialized personnel, making early diagnosis challenging and limited by rater bias, cultural bias, and the need for lengthy testing, which impedes widespread screening.

Innovation Solution

The use of mobile devices to passively collect data on user behavior and physiological parameters over an observation period, generating digital biomarkers to analyze for cognitive decline without requiring active engagement or specialized intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If neuropsychological tests are used to detect cognitive decline, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring specialized personnel and active participation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses mobile devices that subjects already possess and use daily, eliminating the need for specialized testing equipment. The device performs self-monitoring of behavioral patterns without requiring external specialized personnel or complex medical equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/neuropsychological testing systems with a digital information-processing system. Instead of using specialized personnel to administer and interpret physical tests, the system uses software to automatically collect, process, and analyze mobile device data to detect cognitive decline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If neuropsychological tests are used to detect cognitive decline, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens due to lengthy testing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously collects behavioral data in the background during normal daily activities before cognitive decline becomes apparent. This preliminary data accumulation allows for early detection without requiring time-consuming testing sessions when symptoms are already evident.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of periodic lengthy tests, the system continuously monitors behavioral patterns over time. The mobile device automatically tracks messaging habits, movement patterns, and other behaviors continuously, providing ongoing assessment without interrupting the subject's daily routine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If neuropsychological tests are used to detect cognitive decline, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring active participation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiduser engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages mobile devices that subjects already use independently in their daily lives. The device automatically monitors behavioral patterns without requiring the subject to actively participate in testing or interact with medical personnel, making the process as effortless as normal device usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If mobile devices are used for passive data collection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to potential rater bias and cultural bias

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreening accessibilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces human raters with automated algorithms that objectively analyze mobile device data. This substitution eliminates rater bias and cultural bias by using consistent computational methods to interpret behavioral patterns, ensuring standardized assessment across diverse populations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously compares individual behavioral patterns against established norms and provides feedback for model refinement. This iterative feedback mechanism improves detection accuracy over time by learning from diverse populations and adjusting algorithms to account for individual variations without introducing bias.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4233695A1Systems and methods for detecting cognitive decline with mobile devices
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 ELI LILLY & CO
  • EP4233695A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4233695A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4233695A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate systems and methods for detecting cognitive decline of a subject using passively obtained data from at least one mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving passively obtained data from at least one mobile device. The method further comprises generating digital biomarker data from the passively obtained data. The method further comprises analyzing the digital biomarker data to determine whether the subject is exhibiting signs of cognitive decline.