Phrenic Nerve Stimulation and Diaphragm Accelerometry for Respiratory Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for clinically assessing respiratory function are subjective and reliant on patient participation, leading to variability and uncertainty in outcomes, necessitating an objective and inexpensive assessment method for stratifying at-risk populations.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory function assessment system combining electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm accelerometry, using a triaxial accelerometer and portable wireless controller to measure diaphragm endurance and calculate a numeric quantification of respiratory function, providing an objective and quantifiable index of respiratory health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current clinical methods are used to assess respiratory function, then patient participation is required, but this leads to variability and uncertainty in outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective clinical assessment methods with an objective automated system using electrical stimulation and accelerometry to measure diaphragm response. The system applies electrical stimuli to the phrenic nerve and uses accelerometers to objectively measure diaphragm contractions, eliminating the need for patient participation and subjective interpretation while improving measurement precision and reliability of respiratory function assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-measurement of respiratory function through automated electrical stimulation and acceleration detection. The device independently generates stimulation signals, captures acceleration data from the diaphragm, and processes the information to provide an objective assessment without requiring patient effort or cooperation, thus eliminating variability associated with patient participation
2Reliability
If expensive equipment is used for objective assessment, then measurement reliability improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs accelerometers and electrical stimulation devices that are relatively inexpensive and can be used for single or limited assessments. These components provide reliable objective measurements without requiring expensive, complex equipment, making the system cost-effective for stratifying at-risk populations in various clinical settings while maintaining assessment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive complex respiratory function testing equipment with simpler, more affordable electrical stimulation and acceleration measurement technology. By using basic physics principles (electrical stimulation of nerves and acceleration detection), the system achieves reliable objective assessment at lower cost compared to traditional expensive pulmonary function testing equipment
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 system offers an objective and quantifiable assessment of respiratory function, enabling accurate stratification of at-risk populations and monitoring of respiratory health, with the endurance index providing a reliable indicator of diaphragm strength and potential for respiratory failure risk.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical stimulation device configured to generate electrical current, stimulation electrodes configured to deliver the current to a neck of a subject adjacent one of his or her phrenic nerves
Implementation Method 2
a movement sensor configured to sense rapid contractions (twitches) of the subject's thoracic diaphragm in response to the applied current, wherein the movement sensor comprises a triaxial accelerometer that measures accelerations of the abdomen
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an assessment system includes an electrical stimulation device configured to generate current, stimulation electrodes configured to apply the current generated by the electrical stimulation device to a neck of a subject at a location that results in stimulation of a phrenic nerve of the subject, a movement sensor configured to sense movement of an upper abdomen of the subject caused by twitching of a diaphragm of the subject responsive to the stimulation of the phrenic nerve, and a controller configured to receive data sensed by the movement sensor, analyze the received data to evaluate the activity of the diaphragm, and generate an assessment of the subject's respiratory function or phrenic nerve.