Non-Contact Sensor Signal Segmentation for Sleep Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for physiological activity, such as breathing and sleep patterns, often require direct attachment of sensors to the subject, which can be intrusive, limit mobility, and interfere with signal quality due to body position changes, making long-term monitoring and accurate diagnosis challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system using non-contact sensors positioned on a support, like a mattress, that identify specific signal portions corresponding to body position changes and periods of rest, allowing for more accurate analysis of smaller movements and improved user acceptance by enabling free subject movement and reduced interference from positional vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are directly attached to the subject's skin, then signal quality for physiological monitoring is improved, but subject mobility is limited and the monitoring becomes intrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary support structure (mattress, bed, or chair) that contains the sensors. This mediator transfers the physiological signals from the subject to the sensors without requiring direct skin attachment, thereby maintaining signal quality while enabling subject mobility and reducing intrusiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical attachment system (adhesives, straps, clips) with a non-contact sensing system where sensors are embedded in the support structure. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints on subject movement while maintaining the ability to detect physiological signals through the intermediary support.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are placed on a support to enable free movement, then subject mobility and comfort are improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to body position changes and positional vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into multiple zones with sensors positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to track body position changes and selectively use sensor data from zones where the subject is currently positioned, maintaining signal quality despite movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing that adapts to body position changes. The system continuously monitors for positional vibrations and dynamically adjusts the signal processing parameters or selects appropriate sensor data based on the current body position, thereby maintaining measurement precision during movement.
3Measurement precision
If all signal portions are processed to maintain continuous monitoring, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial processing by selectively analyzing only the relevant portions of the signal that correspond to actual body positions. Instead of processing all signal data uniformly, the system identifies and processes only the segments containing valid physiological information, reducing computational requirements while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes portions of the signal that correspond to periods when the subject is not in a monitoring position (such as when off the bed or in transitional states). By taking out these irrelevant signal segments before processing, the system reduces the total processing load while preserving all diagnostically valuable information.
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 enhances signal quality during periods of rest, improves diagnostic accuracy for conditions like sleep apnea, and facilitates real-time monitoring with reduced processing power requirements, providing a safer and more user-friendly solution for long-term physiological activity monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors are configured to sense vibrations from the patient, permitting diagnosis of breathing abnormalities, snoring and sleep apnea
Data Source
AI summary
A system and associated method is disclosed to monitor physiological activity of a subject. One or more sensors are positioned in or on a support, the support being adapted to receive the subject, at least a first one of the sensors being adapted to produce a first signal indicative of movement of the subject over time. Processing apparatus is adapted to identify first, second and third portions of the first signal. The first and third portions correspond to first and third time periods, respectively, during which the subject changes body position on the support. The second portion corresponds to a second time period, between the first and third time periods, during which substantially no change in body position of the subject on the support takes place.