Wearable Sensor Device for Visceral Fat Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body composition measurement devices are inadequate for accurately measuring visceral fat, as they either estimate it based on total fat percentage or waist circumference, which lacks precision and correlation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable body composition measurement system with a sensor device that includes a first measurement circuitry for body composition, a second measurement circuitry for heart activity, and a strap for attachment around the torso, allowing for specific measurement and computation of visceral fat in the abdominal area and heart activity parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If body composition is measured using total fat percentage and waist circumference, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision for visceral fat is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the body composition measurement into separate regional measurements (abdominal area, chest, limbs) using multiple sensor devices positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows direct measurement of visceral fat in the abdominal area without relying on indirect estimates from total body fat percentage, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular sensor placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensor devices with specific measurement circuitries designed for localized measurement at different body regions. The abdominal area sensor device includes measurement circuitry specifically configured to detect body composition characteristics in that region, enabling precise visceral fat measurement. Each sensor device has optimized electrodes and measurement parameters tailored to its specific body region, improving local measurement accuracy
2Reliability
If estimation methods based on total fat percentage are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the reliability of visceral fat assessment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a training computer that performs preliminary calibration and characterization of sensor devices before actual measurement. The system pre-establishes reference data and measurement protocols, ensuring reliable visceral fat assessment. This preliminary setup maintains ease of operation during actual use while significantly improving reliability through pre-validated measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement data from multiple sensor devices is processed by the training computer to provide validated visceral fat assessment. The system uses feedback from reference measurements and comparison data to refine and verify the reliability of visceral fat calculations, ensuring accurate assessment while maintaining user-friendly operation through automated processing
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor devices are used for comprehensive measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs sensor devices that can serve multiple functions - each device can measure body composition characteristics and can be positioned at different body regions (abdominal area, chest, limbs). The measurement circuitries are configured to perform various measurement tasks depending on placement, reducing the need for completely separate devices for different measurement types while maintaining high precision through multi-region coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement capabilities into integrated sensor devices that can be positioned at different body regions. The training computer merges data from multiple sensor devices to provide comprehensive body composition analysis, including visceral fat assessment. This combining approach achieves high measurement precision while managing device complexity through unified device design and centralized data processing
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 more accurate measurement of visceral fat by directing measurements to the abdominal area and providing precise computation of fat tissue and heart activity parameters, improving health monitoring and disease prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a first measurement circuitry configured to measure body composition
Implementation Method 2
a second measurement circuitry configured to measure heart activity
Data Source
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AI summary
This document discloses a wearable body composition measurement system, comprising: a sensor device comprising a first measurement circuitry configured to measure body composition, a second measurement circuitry configured to measure heart activity, and a strap arranged to attach the sensor device around a torso of a user; at least one processor coupled with the sensor device; and at least one memory storing a computer program code configured to cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: in a first measurement mode where the sensor device is attached around an abdominal area of the user, receiving body composition measurement data measured by the first measurement circuitry, computing a quantity of fat tissue in the abdominal area on the basis of the received body composition measurement data, and outputting the quantity of fat tissue via an interface; and in a second measurement mode where the sensor device is attached around a chest of the user, receiving heart activity measurement data from the second measurement circuitry, computing at least one heart activity parameter on the basis of the received heart activity measurement data, and outputting the at least one heart activity parameter via the interface.