Active Noise Control Microphone Array for NICU
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active noise control systems are ineffective in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to unpredictable and multiple noise sources, leading to excessive noise levels that negatively impact infant development and health, with existing solutions failing to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An active noise control system utilizing an array of reference input sensors and a control unit to generate a control signal that destructively interferes with sound waves from multiple noise sources, with a selector mechanism to determine the most effective reference signal for noise attenuation, and an error sensor to refine the control signal for optimal noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional active noise control systems are used in NICU, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to multiple unpredictable noise sources and environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the noise control task into multiple independent reference input sensors, each capturing sound from different directions and locations around the incubator. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple noise sources simultaneously by processing signals from each sensor independently through the adaptive algorithm, resolving the contradiction between handling complex noise environments and maintaining system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The array of reference input sensors serves multiple functions: capturing noise from various directions, providing spatial information for noise localization, and enabling the system to adapt to different noise source configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single system architecture to handle diverse and unpredictable noise sources without requiring separate specialized systems for each noise type
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise levels are reduced to meet guidelines, then infant health and development are protected, but essential medical devices and communication still generate noise that cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a localized quiet zone within the incubator by using error sensors positioned near the infant's head to measure residual noise and feedback to the adaptive algorithm. This local quality approach ensures that noise reduction is targeted specifically where the infant is located, allowing essential medical devices to continue operating elsewhere in the NICU environment without compromising infant protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs error sensors that continuously monitor the noise level at the infant's location and provide feedback to the adaptive noise control algorithm. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust the anti-noise signal in real-time, maintaining noise reduction effectiveness while permitting essential medical equipment and communication to function without interruption
3Productivity
If feedforward active noise control is used, then the system can predict and cancel noise, but the system cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions and noise characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an adaptive filter that dynamically adjusts its parameters in real-time based on changing noise characteristics and environmental conditions. The adaptive algorithm continuously processes signals from the reference input sensors and modifies the anti-noise signal accordingly, enabling the system to maintain effectiveness as noise sources move, change frequency, or appear/disappear in the NICU environment
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 system effectively minimizes noise levels within the NICU environment, improving infant development and health by adaptively attenuating sound waves from multiple sources, ensuring compliance with noise guidelines and reducing stress and potential hearing loss.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is adapted to generate a control signal to destructively interfere with any or all of the sound waves from the noise source
Implementation Method 2
An error sensor is in data communication with the control unit, the error sensor measuring a sound wave resulting from the interference
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
An apparatus and method are presented for an active noise control system with a selector mechanism to select an appropriate reference signal for an active noise control algorithm responsive to several noise sources, some of which generate may sounds intermittently.