Contactless Tremor Detection via Electromagnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tools lack the ability to accurately and objectively quantify tremors, such as those caused by Parkinson's disease, due to subjective clinical evaluations and limitations of existing technologies like accelerometers that detect acceleration rather than motion, and impose additional physical load on patients.
Innovation Solution
A contactless tremor detection system utilizing an oscillator circuit with a sensing coil that generates electromagnetic fields, inducing eddy currents and changing resonant frequencies to measure hand distance over time, converting this data into tremor frequency indicators for precise tremor assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If accelerometers are used to detect tremors, then tremor detection capability is provided, but the device adds physical load to patients and cannot accurately detect tremor amplitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical accelerometer system with an electromagnetic sensing system. The oscillating coil generates electromagnetic fields that interact with conductive materials (such as metal objects or the human body) to detect tremors without physical contact, thereby eliminating the physical load problem while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the detector and the patient's hand. The oscillating coil creates electromagnetic fields that penetrate through space to detect hand tremors, serving as a non-contact mediator that transfers information without imposing mechanical burden on the patient
2Measurement precision
If accelerometers are used to detect tremors, then tremor detection is enabled, but tremor amplitude cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acceleration-based detection with electromagnetic field-based detection. By measuring changes in electromagnetic field interaction (such as impedance changes or resonant frequency shifts) rather than acceleration, the system can directly correlate signal changes with actual displacement amplitude, providing more reliable amplitude measurement
3Ease of operation
If clinical protocols are used to evaluate tremors, then tremor assessment is performed, but results are subjective and vary between evaluators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the detection system to automatically measure and quantify tremor characteristics without requiring human interpretation. The electromagnetic sensing system objectively captures tremor signals and provides quantifiable data, making the evaluation process self-sufficient and eliminating inter-evaluator variability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with an automated electromagnetic detection system. The objective physical measurements obtained through electromagnetic field interaction provide quantifiable, reproducible data that eliminates the subjectivity inherent in clinical visual assessment
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
The system provides accurate and objective tremor detection, reducing patient discomfort and improving diagnostic precision by measuring distance variations rather than acceleration, effectively identifying tremor frequencies associated with various conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillator circuit includes a sensing coil next to which a patient can place his or her hand. The oscillator circuit generates alternating electromagnetic fields that generate an eddy current density on the surface of the user's hand.
Implementation Method 2
The oscillator circuit generates alternating electromagnetic fields that generate an eddy current density on the surface of the user's hand. The magnetic fields generated by the eddy current couple back to the sensing coil and change the resonant frequency of the circuit.
Implementation Method 3
The oscillator circuit generates alternating electromagnetic fields that generate an eddy current density on the surface of the user's hand.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for detecting tremors includes generating electromagnetic fields proximate to an individual's body part with a circuit to generate an eddy current density on a surface of the body part, receiving magnetic fields generated by the eddy current with the circuit that change a resonant frequency of the circuit, sensing the resonant frequency as it changes over time, and determining a movement frequency of the body part from the resonant frequency to quantify tremors in the body part.