Wireless Respiratory Rate Sensor Using Multi-Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring respiratory rate are inefficient, intrusive, and time-consuming, lacking the accuracy and cost-effectiveness needed for continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor device that combines multiple respiration signals from sources like chest-mounted accelerometers, EKG-derived signals, and other sensors, using lowpass filtering, peak-picking, and quality metric analysis to determine a weighted respiratory rate, reducing errors and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods (chest rise counting, stethoscopes) are used to measure respiratory rate, then the measurement can be obtained, but the process is inefficient, intrusive, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (accelerometer, EKG electrodes, respiratory inductance plethysmography bands) to measure respiratory rate simultaneously. This multi-sensor approach enables continuous, non-intrusive monitoring that is both efficient and accurate, resolving the contradiction between measurement efficiency and time consumption by performing multiple measurements in parallel rather than sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical methods (counting chest rises, using stethoscopes) with electronic sensors and automated signal processing. The accelerometer detects chest wall motion, EKG electrodes capture electrical signals, and digital filters automatically process the data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving measurement efficiency while reducing time loss
2Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used to measure respiratory rate, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple independent sensors (accelerometer for chest motion, EKG for cardiac-respiratory coupling, RIP for thoracic/abdominal movement) to improve measurement accuracy. Each sensor provides complementary information about respiratory activity, and their combined output compensates for individual sensor limitations, achieving high precision despite increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements signal processing algorithms that analyze quality metrics from each sensor and use feedback to weight and combine the signals appropriately. The system evaluates the reliability of each sensor's output and adjusts the integration accordingly, ensuring accurate respiratory rate measurement while managing the complexity of multi-sensor data fusion
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are combined to improve accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a sensor system where each component serves multiple functions: the accelerometer detects both chest wall motion and gravitational orientation, the EKG electrodes capture both cardiac and respiratory signals, and the RIP bands monitor both thoracic and abdominal movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated sensors for each measurement type, thereby improving accuracy while limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital signal processing and algorithmic methods to manage the complexity of multi-sensor integration. Instead of requiring complex hardware synchronization and calibration mechanisms, the system uses software-based filtering, quality metric evaluation, and weighted signal combination to integrate data from multiple sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
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AI summary
A method and system for measuring respiratory rate are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises measuring at least one respiration signal and filtering the respiration signal using a lowpass filter. The method includes peak-picking the respiration signal to determine the respiratory rate and determining a quality metric of the respiratory rate. In a second aspect, the system comprises a wireless sensor device coupled to a user via at least one electrode, wherein the wireless sensor device includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device stores an application which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to carry out the steps of the method.