Olfactory-Action Meter for Precise Olfactory Deficit Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current olfactometers lack sensitivity and precision in quantifying olfactory deficits, particularly in patients with contagious infectious diseases like COVID-19, and do not effectively track long-term neurological impairments due to the lack of precise non-invasive methods.
Innovation Solution
A highly sensitive and precise olfactory-action meter apparatus that delivers multiple odors at varying concentrations, using a system with sterilized air filtration, mass flow controllers, solenoid valves, and a vacuum pump to assess olfactory dysfunction and cognitive deficits, enabling real-time monitoring and minimizing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional olfactometers are used to assess olfactory dysfunction, then the testing can be performed, but the sensitivity and precision are insufficient for quantifying olfactory deficits in patients with contagious infectious diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the odor delivery into multiple independent channels, each capable of delivering different odorants at precisely controlled concentrations. This segmentation allows for more granular and precise measurement of olfactory thresholds across multiple odor types simultaneously, improving both sensitivity and reliability of detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts odorant concentration parameters in real-time during testing, allowing for precise determination of detection thresholds. The mass flow controllers enable continuous variation of concentration parameters to accurately quantify olfactory deficits at different sensitivity levels
2Productivity
If multiple odorants are delivered through shared channels to improve testing efficiency, then throughput increases, but cross-contamination occurs between samples
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs separate delivery channels for each odorant, preventing cross-contamination between different odor substances. Each channel is independently controlled and can be sterilized separately, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination while maintaining high throughput through parallel operation of multiple channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable filters and replaceable tubing in each channel that can be easily discarded after use. This eliminates cross-contamination risks between patients while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as the disposable components are simple to replace and do not require complex sterilization procedures
3Measurement precision
If complex filtration and flow control systems are implemented to prevent cross-contamination and ensure precision, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mass flow controllers and vacuum pumps to precisely control gas flow and odorant delivery through the system. These pneumatic components provide accurate flow control and pressure regulation, ensuring precise odor concentration delivery while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through standardized pneumatic components
4Reliability
If high concentrations of odorants are used to ensure detection, then sensitivity improves, but the risk of cross-contamination and harmful exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers different odorants through separate channels at optimized concentrations tailored to each odorant's detection threshold requirements. This segmentation allows using higher concentrations for difficult-to-detect odorants while keeping concentrations low for easily detected ones, maintaining sensitivity without unnecessary exposure risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses individual filters for each odorant channel as an intermediary between the odorant source and the patient. These filters prevent cross-contamination by capturing any stray odor molecules, allowing the system to use higher concentrations when necessary while protecting against harmful exposure and cross-contamination
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 accurate, high-throughput screening of olfactory fitness and cognitive deficits, effectively identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers and tracking neurological impairments with high precision, achieving over 80% detection accuracy and preventing cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump adapted to create negative pressure in the odor delivery unit
Implementation Method 2
a mass flow controller adapted to control a flow rate of the carrier gas
Implementation Method 3
solenoid valves adapted to control a duration of passage of the carrier gas
Implementation Method 4
one or more filters configured in the apparatus adapted to sterilize air received from an air pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (100) for quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunctions and neurocognitive deficits, the apparatus includes first filters (104-1) adapted to sterilize air received from an air pump, a second filter (106) filter odor molecules from the air, a manifold (108) adapted to split the sterilized air into a plurality of channels, at least one channel carries the sterilized air to a first MFC (110) and adjacent channels carry sterilized air to second MFCs (112). Each container in a reservoir (114) filled with an odorant different from adjacent containers, and a nozzle (118) adapted to receive the odorized air from the reservoir that is inhaled by a subject through an odor delivery unit (124), based on degree of variation in volumetric concentration of the odorants, quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunction is determined.