Patient Headphones with Integrated Optical Sensor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical scanning technologies require cumbersome setup of sensors on patients to monitor physiological parameters, which can be time-consuming and interfere with scanning processes, and often necessitate additional cabling, potentially causing interference.
Innovation Solution
Patient headphones equipped with a sensor system that includes optical emitters and sensors attached to the frame and ear cups, allowing for contact-free monitoring of physiological parameters like cardiac and respiratory cycles, with a data acquisition unit that analyzes signals to trigger scanning processes without additional cabling, using electromagnetic radiation and wireless data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors (e.g., respiration belt) are used to monitor physiological parameters, then the physiological parameters can be determined, but the setup process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate functional modules: optical emitters and optical sensors that can be independently positioned on the headphone frame. This segmentation allows for flexible configuration without requiring complex setup procedures, as each component can be independently adjusted and fixed on the patient's head using the headphone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The headphone frame and ear cups serve as intermediary structures that facilitate the placement and fixation of optical sensors and emitters on the patient's head. These intermediaries provide a stable mounting mechanism that eliminates the need for complex direct attachment procedures, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining measurement precision.
2Loss of information
If additional cabling is used for sensor connections, then data transmission is enabled, but interference and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cabling with optical and wireless communication systems. Optical emitters and sensors transmit data through light signals, eliminating the need for electrical cables that cause interference. Additionally, wireless communication protocols can be used to transmit physiological data, further eliminating physical connections and their associated interference problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The headphone structure acts as an intermediary that houses and positions optical components for data transmission. This intermediary system enables information transfer through optical or wireless channels rather than direct electrical connections, thereby eliminating interference caused by cabling while maintaining reliable data transmission.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are attached directly to the patient, then physiological monitoring is achieved, but the scanning process may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The headphone structure serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting platform for optical sensors and emitters, ensures proper positioning on the patient's head, and maintains comfort during the scanning process. This multi-functionality allows physiological monitoring to be integrated into the existing scanning workflow without adding separate attachment procedures that could interfere with the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensors and emitters are pre-positioned and fixed on the headphone frame before use. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the headphones are placed on the patient, the sensors are already in the correct locations for accurate measurement, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustment during scanning and thus not interfering with the scanning process.
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
Enables rapid and precise determination of physiological parameters with reduced setup time, independent of scanning units, providing robust spatial relationships and high precision, while allowing existing headphones to be modified, thus saving costs and reducing interference.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical emitter that is temporarily fixedly attachable to one out of the frame member and the ear cups and is configured for directing electromagnetic radiation to a portion of the patient's skin
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical sensor that is temporarily fixedly attachable to one out of the frame member and the ear cups and is configured for receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation being returned from the portion of the patient's skin
Data Source
AI summary
Patient headphones (50) for use in a medical scanning modality, comprising a frame member (52), two ear cups (54) that, in an operational state of the patient headphones (50), are arranged to be in contact with one of the patient's ears, and a sensor system (60), the sensor system (60) including optical emitters (64) that are configured for directing electromagnetic radiation to a portion of the patient's skin, and optical sensors (68) that are configured for receiving the electromagnetic radiation being returned from the portion of the patient's skin, and for providing an output signal that corresponds to the received electromagnetic radiation, wherein the output signal is indicative of at least one physiological parameter of the patient and serves as a basis for determining the at least one physiological parameter of the patient; —a patient headphones system (48) for use in a medical scanning modality (10), comprising an embodiment of such patient headphones (50) and a data acquisition and analysis unit (76) that is configured to acquire output signals of the optical sensors (68) and to analyze the acquired output signals by applying pre-determined criteria related to the output signals, and to provide a trigger output signal (80) if one of the pre-determined criteria is fulfilled; —a medical scanning modality (10) that is configured for contact-free acquisition of scanning data of at least a portion of a subject of interest (20), in particular a patient, comprising an embodiment of such patient headphones system (48), wherein the medical imaging modality (10) is in particular formed as a magnetic resonance imaging system.