Olfactory Test System with Calibrated Odorant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current olfactory function tests do not measure multiple aspects of olfactory function, such as odor threshold, identification, discrimination, and adaptation, which are essential for assessing neurological health, and lack verification of odorant quality and concentration, leading to confounded comparisons in longitudinal tests.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that estimate user-specific odorant detection sensitivity thresholds, deliver target stimulus odorants at controlled concentrations, and evaluate olfactory function through sensitivity, identification, discrimination, and adaptation tests, using a nasal delivery system with calibrated concentrations adjusted for environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current olfactory function tests (UP SIT, SNIFFIN' STICKS) are used, then odor identification and sensitivity can be measured, but multiple aspects of olfactory function (odor threshold, identification, discrimination, adaptation) cannot be comprehensively assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The olfactory testing system integrates multiple testing modalities (odor threshold, identification, discrimination, and adaptation tests) into a single unified platform. The system uses a common odorant delivery mechanism that can present different odorants at controlled concentrations while adapting to each user's specific detection threshold, enabling comprehensive olfactory assessment across all four functional aspects through one versatile device.
2Ease of operation
If standardized odorant concentrations are used without verification, then test administration is simplified, but odorant quality and concentration cannot be verified leading to confounded comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates electronic verification that measures and confirms the actual concentration of delivered odorants against target concentrations. This feedback mechanism ensures that the standardized concentrations being administered are accurately delivered, allowing for precise and reliable longitudinal comparisons while maintaining the simplicity of standardized test protocols.
3Reliability
If user-specific detection thresholds are not estimated, then test protocol is simpler, but individualized odorant delivery cannot be achieved reducing measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary odor threshold estimation test before administering the main olfactory function tests. This preliminary action determines each user's specific detection threshold, which then informs the concentration levels used in subsequent identification, discrimination, and adaptation tests. This approach enhances measurement reliability through individualized dosing while keeping the overall protocol structured and manageable.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple olfactory functions are measured simultaneously, then comprehensive assessment is achieved, but test system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive olfactory test protocol is segmented into four distinct functional components (odor threshold, identification, discrimination, and adaptation tests). Each component is administered as a separate test module using the same underlying odorant delivery system. This segmentation allows the system to measure multiple olfactory functions comprehensively while maintaining manageable protocol structure and reducing overall system complexity through modular test design.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems for evaluating olfactory function are configured to: electronically estimate a user-specific odorant detection threshold sensitivity threshold using at least one target stimulus odorant delivered to a nose of a user; flowably deliver a plurality of different target stimulus odorants to the nose of the user with defined concentrations of the different target stimulus odorants based, at least in part, on the estimated user-specific odorant detection sensitivity threshold; and evaluate olfactory function of the user based on the user's response to the delivered different target stimulus odorants.