Smartphone Neuromuscular Motion Tracking via Gyroscope and Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices lack the capability to accurately and inexpensively measure and analyze neuromuscular interactions and activities, especially during conscious activities like tracing patterns, and fail to provide standardized and reproducible data for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computing device with a pointing device, equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and clock, which measures and stores three-dimensional movements, acceleration, and time, allowing users to trace standardized patterns, and transmits data for cloud-based analysis and database creation for diagnostic purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized measurement instrumentation is used to measure neuromuscular movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, requiring patient travel to specific sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the smartphone multi-functional for neuromuscular assessment. The device combines standardized pattern presentation, motion sensing (accelerometer/gyroscope), data processing, and communication capabilities in a single portable platform that can be used across different clinical settings without requiring specialized equipment at specific locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a standardized digital representation of movement patterns through sensors. The smartphone captures motion data and creates a digital model of the patient's movement that can be stored, compared against normative data, and analyzed without requiring physical measurement instruments at specialized sites
2Measurement precision
If expensive specialized devices are used for neuromuscular measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases and requires doctor's recommendation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using inexpensive, readily available technology (smartphones) instead of expensive specialized equipment. The device leverages existing consumer electronics that patients already possess or can easily obtain, eliminating the need for costly specialized instrumentation and doctor's recommendations while maintaining measurement precision through standardized protocols
3Ease of operation
If random muscle movements are measured during conscious activities, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by presenting standardized target patterns before the patient performs the movement task. The system provides clear visual guidelines and pre-defined movement trajectories that patients must follow, ensuring consistent and reproducible measurements during conscious activities rather than relying on subjective assessment of random movements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time visual guidance through standardized target patterns and comparing patient performance against normative data. The system gives immediate feedback on movement accuracy and consistency, enabling precise measurement of neuromuscular function during conscious activities while maintaining ease of operation
4Measurement precision
If standardized patterns are traced with pointing device, then measurement precision is improved for neuromuscular control, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple functions into a single smartphone device: pattern presentation, motion sensing (accelerometer/gyroscope), data processing, communication, and storage. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate specialized instruments while maintaining high measurement precision for neuromuscular control during standardized pattern tracing
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
Enables convenient, inexpensive, and consistent measurement of neuromuscular actions over time, facilitating the diagnosis and monitoring of neuromuscular disorders through the creation of large databases for algorithmic analysis and prognostication.
Implementation Method 1
a gyroscope, accelerometer and a clock, which measures and stores three-dimensional movements
Implementation Method 2
a gyroscope, accelerometer and a clock, which measures and stores three-dimensional movements
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated device that detects and stores, in digital form, the muscle movements that occur when an operator traces a defined figure or pattern with a pointing device, such as a laser beam. The movement data is stored and analyzed for monitoring and diagnosing a neuromuscular condition or neuromuscular variations. Movement disorders can be determined and progression and change analyzed over time using the stored data.