Thyroid Cartilage Trajectory Analysis for Dysphagia Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological examination methods for dysphagia, such as those described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2, face challenges in interpreting two-dimensional movements of the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone during swallowing, as they display distance and audio information separately, making it difficult to grasp swallowing dynamics and identify peak positions in the thyroid cartilage movement path.
Innovation Solution
A biological examination apparatus that includes a larynx portion displacement detector and a swallowing sound detector, with a processor that extracts up-and-down and back-and-forth movement components from detection data to generate two-dimensional or three-dimensional trajectory data, allowing for integrated visualization of swallowing dynamics and identification of peak positions in the thyroid cartilage movement path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If distance information and audio information are displayed separately as time-series waveforms, then independent analysis of each parameter is enabled, but integrated understanding of swallowing dynamics and identification of peak positions in the thyroid cartilage movement path becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines distance information and audio information into a single integrated display that shows the relationship between thyroid cartilage movement and swallowing sounds. The display superimposes audio waveforms on the distance waveform or displays them in a synchronized manner, allowing examiners to simultaneously observe both parameters and easily identify peak positions without needing to mentally correlate separate waveforms.
2Ease of operation
If conventional screening tests such as palpation, auscultation, or observation are used, then the test can be performed easily anywhere, but quantitative evaluation is difficult and reproducibility and objectivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods (palpation, auscultation) with automated sensor-based detection. Distance sensors objectively measure thyroid cartilage movement, and microphones capture swallowing sounds, which are then processed by a computer to generate quantitative data. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision and objectivity.
3Measurement precision
If clinical tests such as videofluoroscopic examination or videoendoscopic examination are used, then accurate diagnosis of dysphagia is achieved, but the tests are highly invasive, require predetermined equipment, and cannot be easily performed anywhere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement functions from complex clinical equipment by using simple distance sensors and microphones to detect thyroid cartilage movement and swallowing sounds. This extraction approach captures the critical diagnostic information without requiring large, expensive, or invasive equipment, thereby improving portability while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If two-dimensional movement of the thyroid cartilage is indirectly observed through distance information, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but interpretation of the one-dimensional waveform representing two-dimensional movement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds temporal dimension to the interpretation by synchronizing audio information with distance information. The audio waveform provides temporal markers that help interpret the distance waveform, allowing examiners to understand the timing and sequence of thyroid cartilage movements. This multi-dimensional approach makes the one-dimensional distance data more interpretable without increasing physical invasiveness.
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 non-invasive, accurate evaluation of dysphagia by clearly visualizing two-dimensional or three-dimensional swallowing dynamics and identifying peak positions in the thyroid cartilage movement path, enhancing the ability to assess swallowing movements without requiring extensive skill.
Implementation Method 1
by arranging the transmission coil and the reception coil so that the thyroid cartilage is interposed therebetween, the biological examination apparatus measures, as distance information between the coils, the displacement in the horizontal direction of the thyroid cartilage
Implementation Method 2
a swallowing sound detector that detects a swallowing sound when the subject swallows
Data Source
AI summary
A biological examination apparatus extracts an up-and-down movement component associated with the thyroid cartilage and a back-and-forth movement component associated with the thyroid cartilage from a fitting result obtained by fitting a model function modeling the swallowing movement to distance information based on detection data detected by the larynx portion displacement detector. Based on the extracted components, two-dimensional trajectory data indicating the movement trajectory of the thyroid cartilage is generated. In addition, based on data from a swallowing sound detector, identification display data to determine, on the trajectory graph, which of the outbound path of the movement path according to the elevation and the forward movement of the thyroid cartilage and the return path of the movement path according to the movement of the thyroid cartilage has a peak of the swallowing sound, in a series movement paths of the thyroid cartilage at the time of swallowing, is generated.