Thorax Expansion Sensor for Early Pulmonary Condition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current screening techniques for pulmonary conditions, such as spirometry, are imprecise and may lead to late diagnosis of diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, as they primarily assess lung function rather than disease severity, and existing methods are cumbersome, invasive, or limited in accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensor unit with optical and mechanical sensors that register thorax expansion and internal airflow distribution, allowing for the determination of local and internal airflow distribution in lung lobes, enabling early detection of pulmonary conditions by analyzing data from a reference dataset of healthy and diseased subjects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spirometry is used to assess lung function, then lung function measurement is obtained, but early detection of pulmonary conditions is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring thorax expansion patterns before significant lung function decline occurs. The system detects early signs of pulmonary fibrosis through localized expansion abnormalities that precede FVC reduction, enabling earlier intervention and treatment planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thorax into multiple regions (upper/lower, anterior/posterior, lateral aspects) and measures expansion independently in each region. This segmentation allows detection of localized abnormalities that would be masked by global lung function measurements, improving early detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If conventional screening methods are used, then screening coverage is provided, but the methods are cumbersome and invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (bronchoscopy, biopsy) and complex imaging (CT scans) with optical sensing technology. Cameras and sensors capture thorax expansion visually and optically, eliminating the need for invasive instruments while providing comparable diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images and videos) of thorax expansion movements instead of directly manipulating or invading the patient's body. These visual copies are then analyzed to detect pathological patterns, providing a non-contact, non-invasive diagnostic method.
3Measurement precision
If medical imaging is used for diagnosis, then detailed lung structure is visualized, but the cost and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, portable optical sensors and cameras that can be deployed widely without requiring expensive medical imaging infrastructure. These simple devices capture sufficient diagnostic information through thorax expansion patterns, making the system accessible in primary care settings and resource-limited environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is in the field of screening techniques for pulmonary conditions. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for screening a subject for the presence of pulmonary conditions. A system comprises a sensor unit configured for registering an expansion of a thorax of a subject, the system being configured for determining from data outputted by the sensor unit a local expansion of the thorax and an internal airflow distribution of the lungs of the subject.