Tissue Hardness Calculation via Distance and Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional palpation devices are insufficient for quantitative elastic modulus measurement, requiring periodic doctor visits, which burdens patients and is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A hardness calculation device with distance and pressure measurement units, capable of calculating tissue hardness at different body positions, allowing self-measurement without a doctor's intervention, using a non-contact distance sensor and pressure sensor with a deformation section and imaging unit for accurate data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional palpation device is used to measure elastic modulus, then quantitative measurement is achieved, but periodic doctor visits are required which burdens the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables patients to perform self-measurement of tissue hardness at home using a portable device that combines distance measurement and pressure sensing capabilities. The device automatically calculates hardness values without requiring doctor intervention, allowing patients to monitor their own condition periodically and conveniently.
2Reliability
If a doctor performs palpation to diagnose disease, then accurate diagnostic results are obtained, but the patient must regularly visit the doctor causing burden
Solution Approach 1:
The device empowers patients to independently monitor their tissue hardness at home, eliminating the need for frequent doctor visits. Patients can track changes in their condition over time and only consult doctors when abnormal changes are detected, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides continuous feedback to patients about their tissue hardness status through automated measurements and calculations. This enables patients to monitor their condition over time and seek medical attention only when necessary, optimizing the balance between diagnostic accuracy and time efficiency.
3Loss of information
If multiple measurements are taken at different distances to calculate different hardness values, then comprehensive tissue information is obtained, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex manual measurement procedures with automated sensing systems. The device automatically performs measurements at multiple distances, collects pressure data, and calculates different hardness values (such as eyelid hardness and eyeball hardness) through programmed algorithms, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining information completeness.
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 easy, self-administered hardness measurement of body parts, reducing the need for frequent doctor visits and providing accurate, quantitative data on tissue hardness.
Implementation Method 1
a distance measurement sensor configured to measure a distance to a reference position, the distance measurement sensor being configured to output the measured distance to the distance measurement information acquisition unit as the distance measurement information
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure when the contact surface comes into contact with the target position, the pressure sensor being configured to output the measured pressure to the pressure information acquisition unit as the pressure information
Implementation Method 3
the pressure sensor includes a deformation section including a contact surface including the contact section, the deformation section being configured to deform in response to a pressure when the contact surface comes into contact with the target position
Implementation Method 4
an imaging unit configured to capture an image of the marker from the back side of the contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hardness calculation device includes a distance measurement information acquisition unit configured to acquire distance measurement information indicating a distance to a reference position that is a part of a body of an animal, a pressure information acquisition unit configured to acquire pressure information indicating a pressure when a contact section is pressed against a target position that is a part of the body of the animal, the target position being a position different from the reference position, a calculation unit configured to calculate hardness information that is information about a hardness of a tissue existing in the body of the animal at the target position based on the distance measurement information acquired by the distance measurement information acquisition unit and the pressure information acquired by the pressure information acquisition unit, and an output unit configured to output the hardness information calculated by the calculation unit.