Non-Invasive Oral Sensing Device for Asthma and COPD Risk Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for predicting asthma and COPD attacks are invasive, impractical for daily use, and lack accuracy for short-term predictions, posing risks for unattended individuals, especially children and the elderly.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive sensing device that collects oral samples, measures biomarkers such as IgE, IgA, CRP, TSLP, and interleukins, and uses an algorithm to predict asthma and COPD attack risks, providing daily updates and alerts to users and healthcare professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood sampling methods are used to measure biomarkers for predicting asthma attacks, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedures requiring medical professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the blood sampling context and applies it to oral secretions. The sensing device collects and analyzes biomarkers from saliva or other oral fluids, eliminating the need for invasive blood draws while maintaining measurement capability for predicting asthma attacks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oral secretions as an intermediary medium between the patient's physiological state and the measurement device. This intermediary allows for non-invasive collection of biomarker information that correlates with asthma attack risk, making the measurement process accessible to patients without medical training
2Measurement precision
If specialized laboratory equipment is used for biomarker detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex laboratory mechanical and chemical analysis systems with a simplified sensing device that uses electrochemical or optical sensors to detect biomarkers in oral secretions. This substitution maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for specialized laboratory equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing device is designed to be self-contained and easy to use, allowing patients to perform measurements themselves without requiring trained laboratory personnel. The device handles sample collection, processing, and analysis in an integrated manner that eliminates complex operational steps
3Reliability
If prediction time horizon is extended to 12 months, then reliability of prediction is improved, but loss of time increases for acute attack prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic prediction system that adjusts the time horizon based on current biomarker levels and patient status. The device can provide both short-term predictions for acute attack prevention (hours to days) and long-term trends (weeks to months), allowing users to access appropriate prediction ranges depending on their needs
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device is used to determine the risk and/or probability of an COPD-attack and/or asthma attack of a patient. The sensing device includes a collection device for the non-invasive collection of a biological sample and a biosensor for determining the existence and/or the amount of a biomarker in the biological sample, preferably without the need for sample preparation. The device also includes a control and evaluation device that determines a risk and/or probability of an COPD and/or asthma-attack based on the existence and/or measured amount; and a measuring arrangement and a method for the maintenance of said sensing device or measurement arrangement, and an output unit that outputs the risk/probability.