Skin Temperature Body Fat Measurement via Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring body fat, such as bioelectrical impedance, are inaccurate and costly, and expose patients to radiation, while weight measurement is unreliable due to sensitivity to food intake and muscle development.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using skin surface temperature measurement and numerical heat conduction analysis to evaluate body fat by comparing measured and calculated skin temperature distributions, iteratively modifying body composition until a match is found.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT scanning is used to measure body fat accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but patients are exposed to high radiation and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiation-based CT scanning system with a thermal field-based measurement system. By measuring skin surface temperature distribution and performing heat conduction analysis, the system achieves accurate body fat measurement without using ionizing radiation, thus substituting a harmful physical measurement method with a safe thermal field method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from radiation attenuation (CT) or electrical impedance (bioelectrical impedance) to thermal conduction characteristics. By measuring skin temperature distribution and analyzing heat conduction patterns, the system derives body composition information including body fat percentage, utilizing thermal parameters instead of radiation or electrical parameters.
2Ease of operation
If bioelectrical impedance method is used to measure body fat, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unclear current route
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical impedance measurement system with a thermal field measurement system. Instead of applying electrical current through electrodes and measuring impedance, the system measures skin surface temperature distribution and performs heat conduction analysis, substituting electrical field methods with thermal field methods to achieve both ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces skin temperature distribution as an intermediary parameter between the measurement process and body composition analysis. By measuring skin temperature and using it as boundary conditions for heat conduction analysis, the system indirectly determines body fat content, providing a reliable intermediate measurement that links external observation to internal composition.
3Ease of operation
If weight measurement is used to monitor obesity treatment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensitivity to food intake and muscle development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from total body weight to body fat percentage and distribution. By measuring skin temperature distribution and performing heat conduction analysis to determine body composition, the system provides reliable information about actual fat changes rather than total weight changes, enabling accurate obesity treatment evaluation while maintaining ease of frequent measurement.
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
Provides accurate and cost-effective body fat measurement without radiation exposure, enabling frequent monitoring and informed obesity treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
a second operation step calculating a skin temperature distribution by conducting a numerical heat conduction analysis on a prearranged sample body composition with the temperature gradient imposed as the boundary condition
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and device capable of measuring body fat accurately in a simple manner and at a low cost. The method comprises a measuring process (ST200) where a distribution of skin surface temperature of the subject is measured; a first operation process (ST210) where temperature gradient on the skin surface is evaluated from the measured skin temperature; a second operation process (ST230) where a skin temperature distribution is calculated by conducting a numerical heat conduction analysis on a prearranged sample body composition with the temperature gradient imposed as the boundary condition; a comparing process (ST240) where the skin temperature distributions obtained in the measuring and second operation processes are compared; and a modification process (ST260) where the body composition of the sample is modified if the two skin temperature distributions disagree in the comparing process. The second operation and modification processes are executed repeatedly until the two skin temperature distributions become sufficiently close.