Physiological Sensor Monitoring for Unsupervised Walk Biomarkers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional six-minute walk tests require a trained observer, are difficult to perform, and suffer from variability due to user error, making them inaccurate for assessing health without supervision.
Innovation Solution
A medical monitoring system using physiological sensors, such as ECG and accelerometers, automatically determines a biomarker representing health by analyzing cardiac and movement data during a timed walk, eliminating the need for manual input or supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional six-minute walk test is performed with manual measurement, then the test can be conducted without specialized equipment, but the accuracy and reliability of the health assessment deteriorates due to user error and lack of supervision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with automated electronic sensor-based measurement. Accelerometers and other sensors automatically track movement distance, speed, and patterns during the six-minute walk test, eliminating the need for manual timing and distance measurement by observers or users. This substitution of mechanical/manual systems with electronic automation directly improves measurement precision while managing device complexity through integrated sensor technology.
2Reliability
If a trained observer conducts the six-minute walk test, then the reliability of the test improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring specialized personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the sensor apparatus autonomously performs all test administration functions without requiring a trained observer. The system automatically initiates the test, collects sensor data throughout the six-minute period, processes the data to calculate health metrics, and generates results. This self-service capability maintains high reliability through automated consistent measurement while dramatically improving ease of operation by allowing unsupervised user administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated system (sensor apparatus with processing electronics) that mediates between the user and the test protocol. This intermediary automatically enforces test standards, timing, and measurement criteria that would otherwise require a trained observer, thereby maintaining reliability while removing the dependency on specialized personnel.
3Productivity
If manual input from user or observer is required for the six-minute walk test, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity of health monitoring deteriorates due to requiring supervision and manual processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor apparatus that performs multiple functions: it acts as a timer, distance tracker, data processor, and result generator all in one device. This universal system consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations (timing, measuring, calculating, reporting) into a single automated unit, thereby improving productivity by enabling unsupervised continuous monitoring while managing complexity through functional integration.
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
The system provides accurate and reliable health assessment by calculating a biomarker that approximates traditional test results, enabling self-monitoring and facilitating health improvement through automated analysis of cardiac and movement data.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor data can include measurements of the user's cardiac activity, such as the user's heartbeats and/or heart rate variation (HRV)
Implementation Method 2
the sensor data can include measurements of the user's movements (e.g., acceleration data obtained using one or more acceleration sensors)
Data Source
AI summary
An example medical monitoring system includes a sensor apparatus having cardiac sensors and acceleration sensors, and an electronic device communicatively coupled to the sensor apparatus. The electronic device is configured to cause the sensor apparatus to obtain cardiac data regarding the user during a first period of time, and acceleration data regarding the user during the first period of time. Further, the electronic device is configured to determine, based on the data, first physiological data representing a cardiac activity of the user during the first period of time and second physiological data representing a variation of the acceleration data during the period of time. Further, the electronic device is configured to determine, based on the first physiological data and the second physiological data, a biomarker representing a health of the user, and store a data structure representing the biomarker.