Wearable Temperature Sensor Bra for Breast Tissue Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer screening methods lack affordable, radiation-free, and efficient technologies for early detection, leading to high mortality rates due to inadequate screening protocols and access to quality care.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing wearable temperature sensors integrated into a bra to measure skin surface temperature rhythms, analyzing data with predictive models to differentiate between normal, benign, and malignant tissue conditions, employing metrics like Mean, Lyapunov Exponent, and Approximate Entropy, and classifiers such as SVM and XGBoost to provide tissue assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional breast cancer screening methods (mammography) are used, then detection capability is improved, but radiation exposure and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiological system of mammography with a thermal sensing system that measures skin temperature variations. Temperature sensors detect thermal patterns on the breast surface, substituting ionizing radiation with non-invasive thermal measurement to achieve cancer detection without harmful exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention shifts from detecting structural/anatomical parameters (as in mammography) to detecting thermal parameters (temperature variations). By monitoring temperature rhythms and thermal patterns over time, the system identifies abnormal tissue metabolism associated with cancer without using radiation.
2Measurement precision
If traditional breast cancer screening methods are used, then detection capability is improved, but accessibility and affordability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive temperature sensors and wearable components that can be manufactured at low cost. The system uses affordable electronics and simple thermal measurement technology rather than expensive medical imaging equipment, making breast cancer screening accessible to broader populations including low-resource settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable temperature monitoring device enables women to perform self-screening at home without requiring visits to specialized medical facilities or trained professionals. The system provides autonomous monitoring and analysis, democratizing access to cancer detection technology.
3Measurement precision
If professional medical screening is conducted, then assessment accuracy is improved, but dependency on trained professionals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated analysis algorithms that process temperature data and provide immediate feedback on potential abnormalities. The classifier system continuously monitors thermal patterns and compares them against established criteria, enabling accurate assessment without requiring professional interpretation while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device with integrated processing capabilities allows users to conduct their own screening and receive automated assessments. The system performs data collection, analysis, and interpretation autonomously, eliminating the need for trained professionals to interpret results while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through algorithmic classification.
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 non-invasive, comfortable, and efficient early detection of breast tissue abnormalities, potentially improving survival rates by providing accurate assessments of breast tissue health without the need for trained professionals.
Implementation Method 1
receiving temperature data from at least one temperature sensor over a period of time
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that can receive temperature data from at least one temperature sensor over a period of time. At least one metric of the temperature data can be calculated, which may utilize the temperature data from a particular sensor over the period of time and may be indicative of variability in the temperature data. A tissue assessment can be determined by utilizing a classifier with at least one feature input to the classifier, the feature(s) being determined from the metric(s).