Sepsis Detection via Machine Learning Standardization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current clinical rules for sepsis detection, such as qSOFA, SIRS, and MEWS, are limited in their ability to quickly and accurately identify sepsis due to non-specific symptoms and the need for laboratory tests, leading to delayed recognition and potential misdiagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that uses a machine-learning model to predict the probability of sepsis by standardizing vital sign, demographic, and symptom status values, allowing for timely and effective sepsis risk scoring without relying on laboratory results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional clinical rules (qSOFA, SIRS, MEWS) are used for sepsis detection, then the diagnostic process is simple and easy to implement, but the detection accuracy is insufficient and leads to delayed recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesepsis detection accuracyVSAvoidtime for laboratory tests
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine learning model is trained in advance on comprehensive patient data including vital signs, laboratory results, and demographic information. This preliminary training enables the model to rapidly predict sepsis probability without requiring real-time laboratory test results, thus maintaining high accuracy while reducing detection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A machine learning model serves as an intermediary between raw patient data and clinical diagnosis. The model processes multiple input features (vital signs, lab results, demographics) and outputs a standardized sepsis probability score, bridging the gap between complex data and actionable clinical decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive patient data is analyzed manually by clinicians, then the diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but the workload and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesepsis detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine learning model performs self-service by automatically processing patient data, calculating sepsis probability, and generating risk scores without requiring manual clinical analysis. This automates the complex data processing while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy, reducing clinician workload significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of clinical data review and analysis is replaced with an automated machine learning system. The model computationally processes vital signs, laboratory results, and demographic information, substituting the manual cognitive workload with algorithmic processing that maintains or improves accuracy.

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

3Productivity

If machine-learning models are used to predict sepsis probability, then the detection speed and accuracy are improved, but the standardization of input data becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesepsis detection speedVSAvoiddata standardization process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies parameter changes by standardizing input data through normalization and scaling transformations. Vital signs, laboratory values, and demographic features are converted to standardized formats with consistent ranges and units, enabling the machine learning model to process diverse data types efficiently and produce reliable probability predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4550351A1Sepsis detection
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4550351A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550351A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4550351A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mechanism for predicting a probability of sepsis in a subject. The mechanism includes obtaining and standardizing at least one of each of a vital sign value, a demographic value, and a symptom status value. These standardized values are then input into a machine-learning model trained to predict, based on the input values, a probability of the subject having sepsis.