Swallowing Capture System with Motion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and analyzing swallowing disorders, such as dysphagia, are invasive and lack the ability to accurately identify the cause of swallowing issues, requiring patients to visit specialists for analysis and feedback on rehabilitation exercises.
Innovation Solution
A system combining swallowing detection sensors with motion capture technology, including cameras, to acquire and analyze both swallowing signals and user motion, allowing for remote analysis and characterization of swallowing patterns, thereby tracing the cause of incorrect swallowing and providing feedback for rehabilitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If collar devices with accelerometers and microphones are used for swallowing detection, then swallowing signals can be acquired non-invasively, but the system cannot trace the origin or cause of swallowing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines collar devices with accelerometers and microphones with a motion capture system including cameras and markers. The swallowing detection sensor acquires laryngeal motion signals while the motion capture system simultaneously records head, neck, and trunk movements. This merging of sensing systems allows both precise swallowing signal detection and comprehensive motion analysis to identify the origin of swallowing problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to swallowing analysis by incorporating motion capture technology that records three-dimensional movements of the head, neck, and trunk. This dimensional expansion from local laryngeal motion to global postural motion enables identification of the origin and cause of swallowing disorders by analyzing movements across multiple body segments and spatial coordinates.
2Measurement precision
If specialists analyze swallowing data locally, then complete analysis can be performed, but patients must visit specialists frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary that receives swallowing signals and motion data from the patient's collar device and motion capture system. The server performs comprehensive swallowing analysis, generates feedback, and communicates results back to the patient. This intermediary architecture enables complete specialist-level analysis to be performed remotely, eliminating the need for frequent in-person specialist visits while maintaining analysis completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the remote server analyzes swallowing data, generates personalized feedback and exercise recommendations, and delivers them to the patient. This automated feedback mechanism provides continuous monitoring and guidance without requiring repeated specialist appointments, reducing time loss while maintaining analysis quality.
3Loss of information
If motion capture system with multiple cameras is used, then complete swallowing and motion data can be acquired, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion capture system uses standard video cameras that can serve multiple functions: recording motion for analysis, providing visual feedback to patients, and documenting rehabilitation exercises. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized complex equipment while maintaining data completeness. The collar device similarly serves multiple sensing functions with integrated accelerometers and microphones.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for capturing the swallowing of at least one user, includes at least one swallowing detection device including at least one swallowing detection sensor which is configured to acquire at least one swallowing signal of the user, at least one system for capturing movements of the user, which system is configured to acquire at least one movement signal of the user during the capture of the at least one swallowing signal of the user by the sensor of the swallowing detection device.