Sensor Array for 3D Internal Organ Motion Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring internal organ motion, such as the heart or lungs, are inadequate as they often rely on invasive procedures or insufficient single-point measurements from external sensors, failing to accurately capture three-dimensional motion and potentially missing abnormalities that are not detectable through electrical events.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive system using an array of motion-sensitive sensors, like accelerometers, affixed to the patient's skin to acquire both temporal and spatial data, which is then processed to generate three-dimensional mechanical motion maps, allowing for the creation of surface or internal motion maps that can be combined with other medical imaging modalities for enhanced diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single motion sensor is used to measure internal organ motion, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient to capture three-dimensional motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement task by using multiple individual motion sensors distributed across the body surface, where each sensor captures local motion information. This segmentation allows the system to reconstruct three-dimensional internal organ motion by combining data from multiple spatial locations, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point measurements to spatially distributed measurements by adding the spatial dimension to the measurement approach. Multiple sensors positioned at different locations on the body surface provide three-dimensional spatial information, enabling accurate reconstruction of internal organ motion in three dimensions rather than limited to a single measurement point.
2Reliability
If electrocardiography is used to estimate cardiac motion, then the measurement is non-invasive, but the reliability is reduced when mechanical contraction is disassociated from electrical depolarization
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electrical measurement (electrocardiography) with direct mechanical motion sensing. By using motion sensors that directly detect mechanical displacement and acceleration of the body surface, the system captures actual mechanical contraction events independent of electrical depolarization, thereby improving reliability in cases where electrical-mechanical coupling is abnormal.
3Measurement precision
If invasive procedures are used to measure internal organ motion, then the measurement precision is high, but the ease of operation is reduced and patient risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces the body surface as an intermediary measurement interface between external sensors and internal organs. Motion sensors placed on the body surface detect mechanical waves and vibrations that propagate from internal organ motion, providing accurate non-invasive measurements without requiring direct contact with or insertion into the organ itself, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision.
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 accurate, non-invasive measurement and visualization of internal organ motion, improving the detection of abnormalities and facilitating more precise medical imaging and diagnosis by providing comprehensive mechanical motion data.
Implementation Method 1
two or more motion-sensitive sensors, such as accelerometers
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for measuring and characterizing the motion of an internal organ is provided. The technique includes using two or more motion-sensitive sensors, disposed on a patient in a region of interest proximate to the internal organ, which acquire motion data along the surface of the patient. The motion data may then be processed and displayed to depict or characterize the mechanical motion undergone by the internal organ. The mechanical motion may be displayed as an image or video. In addition, the mechanical motion data may be combined with other measured data, such as electrical or acoustic data, or with images acquired by other imaging modalities to generate a composite image.