Multimodal Pain Estimation With Missing Signal Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing neonatal postoperative pain are subjective, inconsistent, and discontinuous, leading to inadequate management and increased hospitalization times, with existing AI-based systems focusing primarily on acute procedural pain and failing to address obscured facial expressions due to intubation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using unsupervised spatio-temporal feature learning with a generative model to reconstruct missing sensory signals, integrating visual and vocal signals for continuous and objective pain assessment, including facial expression, body movement, and vital signs analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual observation and scoring of pain indicators is used, then the assessment can be performed with simple tools, but the assessment becomes subjective, inconsistent, and discontinuous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of assessment toolVSAvoidconsistency and continuity of pain assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical observation and scoring with an automated computer vision system that uses deep learning models to detect pain indicators. The system captures video data and automatically analyzes facial expressions, body movements, and physiological signals through neural networks, eliminating human subjectivity and providing consistent, continuous assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service pain assessment by automatically monitoring pain indicators without requiring continuous human observer intervention. The automated system continuously captures and analyzes pain signals, providing uninterrupted assessment that serves both the patient and clinician needs independently of human availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If AI-based systems are used for pain assessment, then objectivity and continuity improve, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjectivity of pain assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of assessment system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pain assessment system into separate functional modules: video capture module, facial expression analysis module, body movement analysis module, physiological signal monitoring module, and pain scoring module. Each module handles specific tasks independently, making the complex system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining high objectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If facial expression analysis is used for pain assessment, then pain detection is possible, but facial expressions are obscured in intubated neonates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of pain detectionVSAvoidapplicability to intubated patients

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal pain assessment system that can handle multiple patient conditions including intubated neonates with obscured faces. The system combines facial expression analysis with alternative indicators such as body movements, physiological signals (heart rate, respiratory rate), and vocalizations, allowing it to function effectively across different patient states and anatomical conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses intermediary indicators to infer pain when direct facial expression observation is blocked. By analyzing body movements, physiological signals, and vocal patterns as intermediate proxies for pain states, the system can accurately assess pain in intubated patients where facial expressions are obscured by breathing tubes or positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then pain management effectiveness improves, but the cost and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of pain managementVSAvoidresource consumption for monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces resource-intensive manual continuous monitoring with an automated computer-based system that uses video cameras and algorithmic analysis. The system continuously captures and processes pain indicators through deep learning models, providing uninterrupted pain assessment without requiring continuous human observer presence, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12507948B2System and method for attentional multimodal pain estimation

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 UNIV OF SOUTH FLORIDA

AI summary

A computer-based system and method for generating a pain score of a subject using one or more sensory signals extracted from an AV signal of the subject. The AV signal may comprise one or more sensory signals including a face sensory signal, a body sensory signal and an audio sensory and wherein one or more of the sensory signals is missing from the AV signal.