Automated Olfaction Test Device With Alternating Gas Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current olfactory function examinations lack reproducibility and reliability due to manual odor intensity adjustments and adaptation phenomena, making it difficult to perform quantitative and comprehensive assessments, especially in diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Innovation Solution
An olfactory examination apparatus with an odor generating unit that supplies odorous and odorless gases alternately, using mechanisms like odorant cartridges and diffusion tubes to maintain constant concentrations, and a reply unit for verbal responses, ensuring reproducible odor intensity and comprehensive evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual odor intensity adjustment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of odor intensity with an automated gas concentration control system. A gas supply mechanism delivers odorous gas at precisely controlled concentrations to the examinee, eliminating the need for manual ruler-based distance adjustment. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with an automated gas delivery system ensures both ease of operation and high reliability through consistent, reproducible odor presentation.
2Productivity
If continuous odor exposure is used, then comprehensive evaluation is improved, but adaptation phenomenon worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between presentation of odorous gas and clean air in a structured sequence. The examinee is exposed to odorous gas for a predetermined period, then to clean air for a reset period, allowing the olfactory system to recover from adaptation. This periodic cycling enables comprehensive evaluation of olfactory function while preventing adaptation-induced measurement errors, thereby maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If standardized odor concentration is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing gas concentration as a controllable parameter to achieve standardized odor intensity. Instead of varying physical distance or using complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, the system precisely controls the concentration parameter of the odorous gas delivered to the examinee. This approach achieves high measurement precision for olfactory function assessment while avoiding excessive device complexity through the use of straightforward gas concentration control.
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 apparatus provides a reliable and reproducible method for assessing olfactory function, enabling quantitative evaluation and reducing adaptation effects, thus improving the reliability of olfactory examinations and aiding in early diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Implementation Method 1
an odorant generating mechanism that stores an odorant and generates an odorous gas having a defined concentration
Data Source
AI summary
An olfactory examination apparatus includes: an odor generating unit having an odorant generating mechanism that stores an odorant and generates an odorous gas having a defined concentration or an defined intensity and an odorless gas generating mechanism; a gas supply unit configured to alternately supply an odorous gas or an odorless gas having a defined concentration or a defined intensity of the odor from the odorant generating mechanism and the odorless gas generating mechanism to an examinee through an odor presentation mechanism placed on a nostril portion of the examinee, and a reply unit that allows the examinee to express an answer when smelling the odorant in order to examine an olfactory function.