Motion Sensor Biomarker Detection for Disease Monitoring

Solution Overview

Problem

Current clinical methods for assessing neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases like Friedreich's ataxia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy are subjective and lack sensitivity, requiring large study groups and long durations due to variability and low precision, which delays therapy development and reflects inadequately on everyday life functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using motion sensors to derive objective digital biomarkers by analyzing motion data from individuals with and without diseases, calculating values related to candidate biomarkers, and correlating them with clinical score data to identify biomarkers that distinguish between disease states, enabling precise and objective disease progression monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If score-based behavioural tests evaluated by-eye are used to assess disease progression, then clinical assessment can be performed, but the measurement precision and sensitivity are low requiring large study groups and long durations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease progression detection sensitivityVSAvoidnumber of patients needed in study

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective visual evaluation (mechanical system of human observation) with automated sensor-based measurement systems. Motion sensors, force sensors, and other digital devices objectively capture patient movements and physiological parameters, eliminating inter-rater variability and significantly improving measurement precision for detecting subtle disease progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms clinical assessment from coarse score-based metrics to fine-grained quantitative parameters. Instead of evaluating overall performance scores, the system measures specific parameters such as movement velocity, acceleration, force application, range of motion, and temporal characteristics, enabling detection of minimal changes in disease progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If score-based behavioural tests evaluated by-eye are used to assess disease progression, then clinical assessment can be performed, but the study duration is long due to low sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease progression detection sensitivityVSAvoidstudy duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective visual evaluation (mechanical system of human observation) with automated sensor-based measurement systems. Motion sensors, force sensors, and other digital devices objectively capture patient movements and physiological parameters, eliminating inter-rater variability and significantly improving measurement precision for detecting subtle disease progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous monitoring of patients through wearable sensors and home-based assessment devices. Instead of periodic clinic visits, the system continuously captures movement data, force production, and physiological parameters, allowing detection of disease progression over shorter timeframes and reducing overall study duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If conventional clinical score protocols are used, then disease assessment can be performed, but the assessments are subjective and lack objectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclinical assessment simplicityVSAvoidassessment objectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective visual evaluation (mechanical system of human observation) with automated sensor-based measurement systems. Motion sensors, force sensors, and other digital devices objectively capture patient movements and physiological parameters, eliminating inter-rater variability and significantly improving measurement precision for detecting subtle disease progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated feedback loops where sensor data is immediately processed and analyzed by algorithms. The system provides real-time or near-real-time feedback on patient performance, automatically comparing measurements against established norms and disease progression patterns, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring objective, consistent assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20220330879A1Systems and methods for monitoring the state of a disease using a biomarker, systems and methods for identifying a biomarker of interest for a disease

Publication Date: 2022.10.20 VOIT

AI summary

A system for monitoring the state of a disease or the state of a person using a biomarker, the system comprising: a motion data obtaining unit configured to obtain from at least one motion sensor motion data from a person having the disease, a generating unit configured to generate a value of the biomarker of the disease based on the obtained motion data, and an assessing unit configured to assess the value of the biomarker of the disease and, based on the assessment, to output information related to the state of the disease or state of a person