Posture Determination Using Combined Accelerometer and Chemical Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices struggle to accurately differentiate between sitting and standing postures of patients, which is crucial for tailored therapy delivery, as accelerometer data alone is insufficient for this distinction and chemical sensor data varies with posture.
Innovation Solution
A medical device system incorporating both accelerometers and chemical sensors, where the controller uses combined data to determine the patient's posture, enabling differentiation between sitting and standing postures and adjusting therapy accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If accelerometer data alone is used to determine posture, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between sitting and standing postures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines accelerometer data and chemical sensor data into an integrated posture determination system. The controller processes both data sources simultaneously to differentiate between sitting and standing postures, resolving the limitation of using either sensor type alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in chemical analyte concentrations over time and compares them against expected patterns for different postures. By analyzing the temporal dynamics of parameter changes rather than static values, the system achieves accurate posture differentiation.
2Measurement precision
If chemical sensor data is used to determine posture, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors physiological analyte concentrations for medical purposes and simultaneously provides posture determination data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated posture sensors, balancing precision improvement with acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from chemical sensor readings to continuously refine posture determination. The controller compares measured analyte changes against expected patterns and adjusts posture classification accordingly, improving precision through iterative validation.
3Ease of operation
If accelerometer data is used alone, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient posture differentiation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically processes both sensor data streams without requiring user intervention or manual input. The controller autonomously integrates accelerometer and chemical sensor data to determine posture, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through multi-source validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of chemical sensor data trends before making final posture determinations. By pre-processing and validating data patterns, the system ensures reliable posture classification while maintaining automated operation.
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
This approach allows for precise posture determination and tailored therapy delivery, improving patient care by accounting for posture-induced changes in physiological analyte concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
Accelerometer data can reflect movement of the patient as well as the orientation of the sensor within the patient with respect to gravity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include medical device systems, medical devices, including accelerometers and chemical sensors, and methods of using the same to determine the posture of a patient. In an embodiment, a medical device system herein includes an accelerometer configured to generate a signal reflecting a position of a patient, a chemical sensor configured to generate a signal reflecting physiological analyte data of the patient and a controller in electrical communication with the accelerometer and the chemical sensor. The controller can be configured to determine a posture of the patient using the position signal generated by the accelerometer and the signal generated by the chemical sensor. Other embodiments are also included herein.