Respiratory Monitoring via Angular Velocity Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory monitoring technologies, such as air-flow, piezoelectric, and acceleration schemes, are invasive, uncomfortable, or prone to measurement errors due to sensitivity to human motion.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory monitoring apparatus and method utilizing motion sensors, specifically triaxial angular velocity sensors placed at the costal arches, to sense angular motion and output angular velocity vectors, with a processing device extracting respiratory angular velocity and wave, reducing motion disturbance through attitude transformation matrices and axial correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If air-flow or piezoelectric sensors are used for respiratory monitoring, then respiratory waves can be detected, but the measurement becomes invasive and uncomfortable for the measured object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory wave detection accuracyVSAvoidcomfort of measured object

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical respiratory monitoring methods (air-flow sensors requiring face masks, piezoelectric sensors requiring chest binding) with an inertial sensing system using accelerometers and gyroscopes. This mechanical substitution enables non-contact, non-invasive measurement of respiratory motion through angular velocity and acceleration detection, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If acceleration sensors are used for respiratory monitoring, then respiratory motion can be measured, but the measurement becomes sensitive to human motion causing errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive measurementVSAvoidrespiratory wave accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges accelerometer and gyroscope sensors into a unified inertial measurement system. The gyroscope detects angular velocity related to respiratory motion, while the accelerometer measures gravitational acceleration. By combining these measurements and processing them together through coordinate transformation and signal filtering, the system distinguishes respiratory signals from general human motion, resolving the contradiction between non-invasive operation and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If motion sensors are placed on the body for respiratory monitoring, then respiratory angular velocity can be captured, but the system becomes sensitive to body movement disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory angular velocity accuracyVSAvoidhuman motion disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces coordinate transformation matrices and signal processing algorithms as intermediaries between the raw sensor data and the final respiratory measurement. The processing device transforms acceleration and angular velocity data into respiratory-specific parameters through mathematical operations, filtering out motion disturbance components. This intermediary processing resolves the contradiction by isolating respiratory signals from harmful motion artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 non-invasive, accurate respiratory monitoring with reduced human motion disturbance, providing a more comfortable and precise measurement of respiratory waves without the need for invasive attachments.

Implementation Method 1

at least one motion sensor for at least sensing an angular motion of a measured part capable of indicating a respiratory motion, and outputting an angular velocity vector of the measured part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular velocity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a processing device, connected to the motion sensor, for extracting a respiratory angular velocity from the angular velocity vector, and acquiring a respiratory wave according to the respiratory angular velocity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal processing and extraction:

Data Source

PatentUS10881331B2Respiratory monitoring apparatus, method and device

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A respiratory monitoring apparatus comprises at least one motion sensor and a processing device. The at least one motion sensor senses an angular motion of a measured part capable of indicating a respiratory motion, and outputs an angular velocity vector of the measured part; the processing device, connected to the motion sensor, extracts a respiratory angular velocity from the angular velocity vector, and acquires a respiratory wave according to the respiratory angular velocity.