Respiratory Muscle Sensor System for Non-Invasive COPD Exacerbation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting exacerbation in COPD require collecting biological samples, which can burden the patient's body.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses motion information from a detection sensor and action potential information from an electromyogram sensor to detect abnormalities in the respiratory system without requiring biological samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If biological samples are collected from COPD patients to detect exacerbation, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexacerbation detection accuracyVSAvoidpatient burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/biological sampling system with an electrical signal-based detection system. Electromyogram sensors detect action potentials from respiratory muscles, and motion sensors detect thoracic movement, substituting the need for blood or sputum collection. This electrical/mechanical substitution maintains diagnostic capability while eliminating the harmful burden of invasive sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect exacerbation markers. Instead of directly analyzing biological samples, the system uses electromyogram sensors to detect muscle electrical activity and motion sensors to detect thoracic movement patterns, which serve as intermediaries to infer respiratory status without direct biological intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If biological sample collection is used for exacerbation detection, then diagnostic information is obtained, but diagnostic efficiency decreases due to sample collection time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic informationVSAvoidsample collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring of respiratory muscle activity and thoracic movement through wearable sensors. The electromyogram sensors and motion sensors can continuously capture action potentials and movement patterns without interruption, providing ongoing diagnostic information without the discrete time loss associated with periodic sample collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the time-consuming biological sample collection process with instantaneous electrical and motion signal detection, the system eliminates the time required for sample acquisition, processing, and analysis. The sensors provide real-time data that can be immediately analyzed for exacerbation detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 the detection of respiratory system abnormalities, including COPD exacerbation, without imposing a burden on the patient, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency and patient comfort.

Implementation Method 1

action potential information relating to the respiratory muscles or the accessory respiratory muscles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromyography: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3943011B1Computer program and information processing device for determining exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 MEDICAL OPTFELLOW INC
  • EP3943011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3943011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3943011B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A program according to one aspect causes a computer (1) to execute a process of acquiring motion information relating to motion of respiratory muscles or accessory respiratory muscles from a detection sensor (3) that detects the motion information and action potential information relating to the respiratory muscles or the accessory respiratory muscles from an electromyogram sensor (4) that acquires the action potential information, a process of detecting an abnormality in a respiratory system disease on the basis of the acquired motion information and action potential information, and a process of outputting information on the abnormality in a case where the abnormality is detected.