Vibroacoustic Sensor Module for Low-Frequency Health Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical instruments for assessing patient health are complex, costly, lack portability, and fail to detect low frequency, low amplitude inaudible signals, leading to incomplete diagnostic pictures and challenges in diagnosing conditions like COVID-19 without direct skin contact.
Innovation Solution
A vibroacoustic sensor platform with a sensing device, signal processing system, and machine learning model to detect and characterize bodily conditions through vibroacoustic signals, operating non-invasively and remotely, capable of detecting a wide spectrum of frequencies including infrasound and ultrasound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional medical instruments are used to assess patient health, then comprehensive assessment can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized medical instruments into a single integrated sensor platform that can simultaneously detect various biometric parameters including audible body sounds, low frequency vibrations, and other physiological signals through a unified device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor platform is designed with multi-functional sensing capabilities that enable it to perform diverse diagnostic functions including auscultation, vibration analysis, and physiological monitoring through a single device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized instruments
2Measurement precision
If conventional stethoscopes are used to detect body sounds, then audible signals can be observed, but low frequency inaudible signals cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the detectable frequency range of the sensing device to include low frequency vibrations below the audible threshold, transforming the device's operational parameters to capture infrasound and other sub-audible physiological signals that conventional stethoscopes cannot detect
3Measurement precision
If conventional stethoscopes require direct skin contact for signal detection, then adequate signal quality can be achieved, but portability and ease of use are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces clothing as an intermediary medium that allows the sensing device to detect physiological signals through fabric barriers, eliminating the need for direct skin contact while maintaining adequate signal quality for diagnostic purposes
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
Provides a comprehensive, non-invasive, and portable solution for diagnosing health conditions, including COVID-19, without direct skin contact, offering improved accuracy and convenience over existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a vibroacoustic sensor module including one or more sensors configured to detect a vibroacoustic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system comprising a hand-held sensing device with a vibracoustic sensor module (VSM). The VSM comprises a voice coil component comprising a coil holder supporting wire windings; a magnet component comprising a magnet supported by a frame, a magnet gap configured to receive at least a portion of the voice coil component in a spaced and moveable manner; a connector connecting the voice coil component to the magnet component, the connector being compliant and permitting relative movement of the voice coil component and the magnet component; a diaphragm configured to induce a movement of the voice coil component in the magnet gap responsive to incident acoustic waves; a housing for retaining the vibroacoustic sensor module having a handle end and a sensor end, the sensor end having an opening, the VSM positioned such that at least a portion of the diaphragm extends across the opening.