Skin Conductance Processor for Burnout Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome are unable to reliably identify early stages, leading to delayed interventions and increased treatment duration and costs.

Innovation Solution

A processor that analyzes skin conductance data peaks over a period, using thresholds to distinguish between different stages of stress, including early, full, and recovery stages, by computing features such as cumulative sums of rising edges and peak heights, and outputting signals indicating these stages for timely intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current methods are used for detecting burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome, then detection capability is limited, but early stage identification reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearly stage detection capabilityVSAvoididentification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the stress state detection into multiple distinct stages (healthy state, early stage, full stage, recovery stage) by dividing the monitoring period and establishing different threshold criteria for each stage. This segmentation enables the system to identify early stages separately from full stages, improving early detection capability while maintaining reliability through stage-specific analysis protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary monitoring and analysis of skin conductance data over an extended period before definitive burnout diagnosis. By continuously collecting and analyzing data peaks in advance and comparing them against established thresholds, the system can detect early stage indicators before the condition progresses to full stage, thereby improving early detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If extended monitoring period is used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial monitoring by focusing specifically on skin conductance data peaks rather than continuous comprehensive physiological monitoring. By selectively analyzing relevant data peaks against predetermined thresholds during the monitoring period, the system achieves adequate detection accuracy without requiring excessive monitoring time, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If multiple thresholds and stage analysis are implemented, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestage detection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in skin conductance data peaks over time to detect different stress stages. By monitoring changes in peak frequency, amplitude, and temporal patterns against predetermined thresholds, the system can reliably distinguish between healthy state, early stage, full stage, and recovery stage without requiring complex device architecture. The complexity is managed by focusing on specific physiological parameter changes rather than comprehensive multi-parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3076868B1Processor for processing skin conductance data and device for detecting at least one stage of burnout and/or chronic fatigue syndrome of a living being
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3076868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3076868B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3076868B1 patent drawingFigure 5(A)~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a processor for processing skin conductance data of a living being, comprising an input unit (12) for receiving a skin conductance data signal (13) comprising a plurality of data peaks, a calculating unit (14) for computing a skin conductance peak data signal over a long-term period by deriving a feature related to said data peaks from said skin conductance data signal (13) and forming a summation of said feature per time unit and an analyzing unit (16) for analyzing an average and/or an absolute value of said skin conductance peak data signal over at least a portion of said period to get information on at least one stage of burnout and/or chronic fatigue syndrome of said living being.