Remote Physical Examination Sensor with Automated Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote cardiovascular examinations face challenges in obtaining clinic-quality results due to improper sensor placement and potential for false readings, leading to inconclusive diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
A remote physical examination sensor system equipped with skin-compatible electrodes, orientation sensors, and automated guidance, allowing patients to perform examinations with visual and auditory feedback to ensure accurate placement and data collection, which is then analyzed by healthcare providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote physical examination is performed without proper guidance, then patient convenience and accessibility are improved, but measurement precision and diagnostic reliability deteriorate due to improper sensor placement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback through a camera that displays the sensor's position on the patient's body. The processor analyzes the captured images and provides guidance feedback to the patient, indicating whether the sensor is properly placed or needs adjustment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables patients to self-correct placement errors while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical guidance system (physician physically positioning sensors) with an automated optical and computational system. A camera captures images, a processor analyzes the images to determine sensor position, and digital feedback is provided to the patient, substituting the physician's manual mechanical adjustment with an automated vision-based guidance system.
2Measurement precision
If automated guidance system with camera and processor is added, then sensor placement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the camera serves both as a positioning guidance tool and as a means to verify proper sensor placement; the processor both captures images and analyzes them for position verification; the display both shows guidance information and confirms correct placement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the patient to perform the examination themselves with automated guidance, eliminating the need for a physician to physically present and manually position sensors. The camera and processor work together to provide self-service capability, where the device guides and verifies its own proper application by the patient.
3Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are integrated into the sensor, then ECG signal quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as patients struggle to locate and contact multiple contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ECG electrodes and acoustic sensors into a single integrated sensor unit or chest piece. This consolidation allows the patient to apply one component that contains all necessary contact points, eliminating the need to separately locate and attach multiple individual electrodes while maintaining the required signal quality from all sensor elements.
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 enables accurate and reliable remote cardiovascular examinations by ensuring proper sensor placement and data collection, reducing the need for physical clinic visits and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
ECG electrodes, integrated with the physical examination instrument and positioned at different locations on the thorax and/or via additional electrodes separate from the instrument
Implementation Method 2
positioning of the apparatus 300 (e.g., as sensed via orientation sensors)
Implementation Method 3
positioning of the apparatus 300 (e.g., as sensed via orientation sensors)
Data Source
AI summary
Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards methods and apparatuses for conducting physical examinations of a human. Optionally, such embodiments permit for remote examination of a patient, for example, the patient's heart or lung region. In such embodiments, a user operates a remote physical examination sensor, while a remote examination computer and/or remote medical personnel reviews/analyzes medical data received from the remote physical examination sensor to diagnose the condition of the user. The remote physical examination instrument may be equipped with a plurality of skin-compatible electrodes on a remote examination sensor connected to the user's chest, as well as one or more electrodes on the top cover or sides of the remote examination sensor connecting to the user's hand and providing medical data to the remote examination computer.