Tetradecane Sensor for Objective Postpartum Depression Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for monitoring stress in expectant women during pregnancy lack objective measures, relying on subjective data that may not accurately reflect stress levels, which can lead to inadequate prevention of postpartum depression.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a sensor to detect tetradecane, a biological gas correlated with stress, which acquires and analyzes its concentration over time, providing objective stress assessment and alerting users and healthcare providers when levels exceed normal ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If subjective data is used to monitor stress in expectant women, then the monitoring system is simple to implement, but the accuracy and reliability of stress detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective self-reporting methods with an objective sensor-based detection system that measures tetradecane concentration in sweat. This substitution of measurement mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing accurate, quantifiable stress data without requiring complex manual assessment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tetradecane concentration as an intermediary biomarker that objectively reflects stress levels. This mediator enables accurate stress detection through measurable physiological changes in sweat composition, bridging the gap between simple monitoring and precise measurement.
2Device complexity
If subjective data is used for stress monitoring, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of stress assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable subjective assessment with reliable objective sensor measurement of tetradecane concentration. This substitution maintains system simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by using direct physiological measurement rather than subjective reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system automatically monitors stress levels without requiring active user participation or subjective input. The system self-registers stress data through continuous sweat analysis, improving reliability while keeping the system simple to operate.
3Measurement precision
If continuous objective stress monitoring is implemented, then the accuracy of stress detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and monitors only the specific biomarker (tetradecane) that correlates with stress, rather than attempting to measure multiple physiological parameters. This selective extraction achieves accurate stress detection while minimizing system complexity by focusing on a single key indicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweat sensor is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting tetradecane concentration, monitoring stress levels, and providing continuous data over time. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive stress monitoring without requiring separate systems for each measurement type.
4Speed
If frequent stress monitoring is performed, then the timeliness of stress detection is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of sweat tetradecane concentration rather than continuous measurement. This periodic action achieves timely stress detection by capturing stress events at regular intervals while reducing energy consumption compared to uninterrupted monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or low-cost sensors that can be used for frequent measurements without significant energy investment. These sensors provide timely data collection with minimal energy consumption, making frequent monitoring economically and energetically viable.
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
This approach enables early and objective detection of stress in expectant women, facilitating timely interventions to prevent postpartum depression by providing accurate and continuous stress monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring, via a network, biological gas information representing a concentration of tetradecane of a user detected with a sensor for detecting tetradecane released from a skin surface of the user
Data Source
AI summary
In order to objectively grasp a stress state of a user and to prevent postpartum depression, biological gas information is acquired via a network, where the biological gas information indicates a concentration of tetradecane of the user and is obtained by a sensor that detects tetradecane released from a skin surface of the user. From a memory storing information including an upper limit of a normal range of the concentration of tetradecane per unit period, the information indicating the upper limit of the normal range is read out. When a frequency in the unit period with which the concentration of tetradecane of the user exceeds the upper limit of the normal range is determined to have an increasing tendency based on the biological gas information obtained during a pregnancy period of the user, the information related to stress of the user is output to an information terminal of the user.