Wearable Temperature Sensor with NARX Core Body Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive techniques for measuring core body temperature often struggle with accuracy due to thermal resistance of the skin and ambient temperature effects, making frequent or continuous measurements burdensome and less reliable.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with skin and ambient temperature sensors, using a nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) regression model to estimate core body temperature by accounting for past measurement results and ambient influences, with dynamic tuning of parameters for individual use cases and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive temperature measurement techniques are used, then convenience is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature measurement system into multiple independent temperature sensors positioned at different anatomical locations (temple, forehead, ear, etc.). Each sensor independently measures local temperature, and the controller integrates these segmented measurements to calculate core body temperature, thereby maintaining convenience while improving precision through distributed sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that acts as a mediator between the non-invasive skin surface temperature measurements and the target core body temperature. The controller uses algorithms and prediction models to translate external temperature readings into accurate core temperature estimates, resolving the precision issue without compromising the non-invasive convenience.
2Measurement precision
If frequent or continuous temperature measurements are taken, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous temperature monitoring where multiple sensors continuously measure temperature at different body locations without requiring repeated user intervention. The system maintains continuous useful action by constantly tracking temperature trends and processing data in real-time, improving precision through continuous data collection while eliminating the burden of frequent manual measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically continuously measuring and processing temperature data without requiring user initiation. The wearable device autonomously collects temperature readings, processes the data through the controller, and generates alerts when necessary, thereby achieving high measurement precision while completely eliminating the operational burden on users.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors and processing components are added, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the controller to perform multiple functions: it processes data from multiple temperature sensors, implements prediction models, calculates core body temperature, generates fever alerts, and provides user notifications. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through integrated processing while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity effectively.
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 solution provides accurate and convenient non-invasive core body temperature measurements, enabling effective fever detection and customizable settings for various applications, improving sensitivity and reducing the burden of frequent measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor configured to measure a plurality of skin temperatures of a subject
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor spaced apart from the first temperature sensor and configured to measure a plurality of ambient temperatures
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulation material between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a temperature measurement device configured to measure a plurality of body temperatures of a subject at a plurality of time instants in a time window, and a memory device configured to store the plurality of body temperatures. The system also includes a controller configured to obtain the plurality of body temperatures, determine a percentile value of the plurality of body temperatures at a first percentile, and generate an alert signal indicating that the percentile value of the plurality of body temperatures at a first percentile is greater than a threshold temperature value. The system further includes a user interface device configured to generate, based on the alert signal, a notification signal to a user of the system.