NIRS Biosensor for Real-Time Lactate Threshold Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart rate monitoring methods are crude and inadequate for providing a granular assessment of training thresholds for highly conditioned athletes, failing to accurately measure physiological responses to exercise.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive biosensor device using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect oxygenation parameters, combined with photoplethysmography (PPT) and electrocardiography (EKG) to measure muscle oxygen utilization and cardiac response, processing these parameters to determine lactate and ventilatory thresholds in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heart rate monitoring is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient for granular assessment of training threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing technologies (NIRS for tissue oxygenation, PPG for blood volume, ECG for cardiac electrical activity) into a single integrated wearable device. This merging allows the device to provide granular assessment of training threshold through multi-parameter analysis while maintaining a unified, user-friendly form factor that doesn't significantly increase operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring tissue oxygenation via NIRS, monitoring blood volume through PPG, tracking cardiac electrical activity with ECG, and processing all this data to determine training threshold. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive athletic performance assessment without requiring multiple separate devices, thus improving measurement precision while managing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated to measure oxygenation, PPT, and EKG parameters, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates NIRS, PPG, and ECG sensors into a single wearable unit with unified signal processing and a common display interface. This merging approach allows the device to measure multiple physiological parameters simultaneously with high precision while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple separate devices through a centralized processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the sensor functions into distinct modules (NIRS for oxygenation, PPG for blood volume, ECG for cardiac activity) while maintaining integrated processing. This segmentation allows each sensor type to be optimized for its specific function while the overall system benefits from coordinated operation and shared processing resources, managing complexity through functional modularity.
3Productivity
If real-time processing of multiple physiological parameters is performed, then the productivity of training assessment is improved, but the use of energy by the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously monitors and processes physiological parameters during exercise without interruption, providing real-time feedback that immediately guides training adjustments. This continuous operation maximizes productivity by eliminating delays in assessment while the low-power sensor designs and efficient processing algorithms keep energy consumption manageable for prolonged wear during training sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic sampling and processing cycles rather than continuous maximum-power operation. The sensors and processor activate at optimized intervals to capture essential physiological data points, process them to determine training threshold, then pause during recovery periods. This periodic operation maintains high productivity for training assessment while significantly reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous maximum-performance operation.
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
Provides a precise, real-time assessment of athletic performance, enabling personalized training programs by objectively measuring lactate and ventilatory thresholds, thus improving training efficiency and preventing over-exertion.
Implementation Method 1
The detector is configured to detect an oxygenation parameter of a tissue of the subject using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS)
Implementation Method 2
a second detector configured to measure photoplethysmography (PPT) of the subject
Implementation Method 3
a third detector configured to measure electrocardiography (EKG) and derived systolic time intervals (STI) of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a non-invasive biosensor device configured to measure physiological parameters of a subject. In one aspect, a method of determining a training threshold of a subject is provided. The method includes the step of detecting an oxygenation parameter of a tissue of the subject using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS). The method further includes the step of processing the oxygenation parameter. Additionally, the method includes the step of determining the training threshold of the subject using the result of the processing. In another aspect, a biosensor device for determining a lactate threshold of a subject during exercise is provided. In a further aspect, a biosensor device for measuring parameters of a subject during exercise is provided.