Thermal Respiratory Imaging for Flow and Motion Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring respiratory flow and motion are obtrusive, causing discomfort and skin irritation, and existing unobtrusive solutions fail to accurately distinguish between respiratory flow and motion signals, making it difficult to detect and classify apneas.

Innovation Solution

A device and method using a thermal camera to identify respiratory pixels and pixel groups showing temperature variations, applying spatial filters to discriminate between respiratory flow and motion, enabling accurate determination of respiratory information without contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact-based monitoring methods (chest impedance, polysomnography) are used to monitor respiratory flow and motion, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory flow and motion detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensors required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors (chest impedance electrodes, thermal sensors, motion cameras) with a radar-based electromagnetic detection system. The radar system uses electromagnetic waves to detect respiratory motion and flow without physical contact, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through signal processing algorithms that separate motion and flow components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to monitor both respiratory flow and motion for apnea classification, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to obtrusive monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapnea type detection accuracyVSAvoidpatient comfort during monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces obtrusive mechanical sensors with a non-contact radar system that uses electromagnetic waves to detect respiratory signals. This substitution eliminates skin irritation and discomfort associated with contact sensors while maintaining the ability to detect both respiratory flow and motion for accurate apnea classification through advanced signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If thermal camera is used to monitor respiratory flow and motion unobtrusively, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish flow and motion contributions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunobtrusive monitoring capabilityVSAvoidrespiratory flow and motion discrimination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal camera with a radar-based electromagnetic detection system that inherently provides better discrimination between respiratory flow and motion signals. The radar system's ability to detect subtle tissue movements and thermal variations through electromagnetic wave interaction allows it to separately identify flow and motion components without the mixing problems encountered in thermal imaging, while maintaining unobtrusive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 unobtrusive and accurate monitoring of respiratory flow and effort, detecting apneas and their types, improving patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

an image input configured to obtain thermal images of the subject, the thermal images showing at least part of the subject's facial area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

one or more spatial filters are applied to the respiratory pixels and/or pixel groups to discriminate the respiratory flow pixels and/or pixel groups from respiratory motion pixels and/or pixel groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpatial filtering: Spatial Filter

Data Source

PatentUS12594003B2Device, system and method for determining respiratory information of a subject

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device, system and method for determining respiratory information of a subject. The device comprises an image input (21) configured to obtain thermal images of the subject, processing unit (22) configured to determine respiratory information of the subject from the thermal images, and an output (23) configured to output the determined respiratory information of the subject. The processing unit (22) is configured to determine the respiratory information of the subject by identifying in the obtained thermal images respiratory pixels and/or pixel groups that show temperature variations related to respiration, determining, from among the respiratory pixels and/or pixel groups, respiratory flow pixels and/or pixel groups that show respiratory flow, wherein one or more spatial filters are applied to the respiratory pixels and/or pixel groups to discriminate the respiratory flow pixels and/or pixel groups from respiratory motion pixels and/or pixel groups that show respiratory motion, and determining respiratory information of the subject from the respiratory flow pixels and/or pixel groups and/or the respiratory motion pixels and/or pixel groups.