Touch Sensitivity Threshold Probe with Iterative Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining touch sensitivity thresholds are inaccurate and inefficient, lacking a standardized approach to derive a generic value for touch sensitivity, which complicates comparisons between patients and tracking medical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a probe to determine touch sensitivity thresholds by iteratively adjusting the impact attribute of the probe based on human feedback, until the threshold is established as either the lowest value of sensing or the highest value of senselessness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional physical examination methods using articles like needles or tuning forks are used to determine touch sensitivity, then the procedure is simple and cost-effective, but the measurement precision is poor and results are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical examination methods (needles, tuning forks) with an automated probe system that uses controlled mechanical impact delivery. The probe system incorporates sensors to detect patient responses and automatically determines touch sensitivity thresholds, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and subjective assessment while maintaining simplicity through automated algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the probe system delivers controlled impacts and detects patient responses (sensory perception). Based on these responses, the system automatically adjusts impact parameters and determines the threshold at which the patient perceives the stimulus. This closed-loop feedback approach ensures consistent, objective measurements without relying on operator judgment
2Measurement precision
If nerve conduction study (NCS) is used to measure touch sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved with objective quantitative data, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of NCS (objective quantitative measurement of neural response) while eliminating the complex electromyography equipment. Instead of measuring electrical signals through complex electrode arrays, the system uses a simplified probe that delivers controlled mechanical impacts and detects sensory responses directly, achieving similar objective quantification without the expensive and complex NCS infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable or easily replaceable probe design that can be used across multiple patients without requiring calibration or maintenance of complex equipment. The probe incorporates integrated sensors and electronics that are either disposable or can be quickly exchanged, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized electromyography equipment while maintaining measurement reliability
3Productivity
If conventional quantitative methods are used to assess touch sensitivity, then the procedure is straightforward, but productivity is reduced due to inconsistent results requiring repeated measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of impact parameters based on real-time patient responses. The probe system automatically varies impact force, frequency, and duration to optimize detection sensitivity for each patient's neural response characteristics. This dynamic adaptation ensures consistent results across different patients and measurement sessions, eliminating the need for repeated measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies multiple parameters of the mechanical impact (force magnitude, application speed, contact area, duration) to determine the precise threshold at which the patient perceives the stimulus. By changing these parameters in a controlled, algorithm-driven manner, the system achieves reliable, repeatable measurements that consistently identify touch sensitivity thresholds without the variability inherent in conventional methods
4Adaptability or versatility
If standardized generic values for touch sensitivity are derived, then adaptability for comparing patients is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal probe system that can measure touch sensitivity across multiple body regions (face, hand, arm, leg) and for multiple patient populations. The same hardware and algorithm platform adapts to different anatomical locations by adjusting impact parameters, enabling standardized comparison of touch sensitivity thresholds across patients while maintaining high measurement precision through region-specific calibration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a touch sensitivity threshold at a region of a body of a human using a probe includes setting a first value of an impact attribute of the probe; releasing the probe towards the region to impact the region with the first value of the impact attribute; receiving first feedback from the human in response to the impact of the probe with the first value of the impact attribute. The method further includes changing the first value of the impact attribute to a second value; releasing the probe towards the region, to impact the region with the second value of the impact attribute; receiving a second feedback corresponding to the second value of the impact attribute. The method includes changing the value of the impact attribute until a determination of touch sensitivity threshold as either a lowest value of sensing or a highest value of senselessness of probe based on the feedback.