Wearable Sensor for Continuous Tissue Stiffness Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing tissue stiffness face challenges such as subjectivity in palpation, complexity and calibration requirements in mechanical testing, and limited usability in ambulatory settings due to rigid device form factors and tethered power systems in wearable technologies.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sensor with an elastically compliant body, embedded accelerometers, and a wireless system that transmits acoustic wave data for real-time tissue stiffness measurement without calibration, enabling continuous monitoring in various settings like ambulatory and sports medicine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical testing methods are used for tissue stiffness measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical testing systems with a simplified acoustic wave-based measurement system. Instead of using mechanical indentation or tension devices that require calibration, the invention uses acoustic waves transmitted through tissue and detected by accelerometers to measure tissue stiffness, thereby eliminating calibration requirements while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical force application to acoustic wave propagation characteristics. By measuring the speed and attenuation of acoustic waves through tissue rather than applying mechanical loads, the system achieves accurate tissue stiffness measurement without complex mechanical calibration
2Measurement precision
If rigid form factor devices are used for tissue monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to different anatomical sites deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, conformal sensor design that can adapt to curved anatomical surfaces. The sensor uses thin film accelerometers and flexible circuitry that conform to the body surface, eliminating the rigid form factor limitation while maintaining measurement precision through stable contact
3Reliability
If tethered power transmission systems are used in wearable devices, then power supply reliability is improved, but ease of operation and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission constraint by implementing wireless power and data transmission capabilities. The wearable device uses wireless communication protocols to transmit measurement data and receives power wirelessly, eliminating the need for tethers and enabling true portability while maintaining operational reliability
4Measurement precision
If complex algorithmic computation is performed on wearable devices, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified computational approach by copying the essential measurement principle from laboratory elastography systems but implementing it with lightweight algorithms suitable for wearable computing. The device uses basic acoustic wave speed calculations rather than complex iterative inversion algorithms, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for clinical applications
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 wearable sensor provides accurate, real-time tissue stiffness measurements across different settings without the need for calibration, offering a balance of ease of use and accuracy, and is capable of continuous monitoring during dynamic activities.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer to transmit acoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
characteristics of elastic wave propagation
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of accelerometers for receiving acoustic wave data from acoustic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device includes an elastically compliant body having a side for attaching to skin of a patient, a plurality of accelerometers for receiving acoustic wave data from acoustic waves transmitted by a transducer, a short-range radio transmitter for transmitting the acoustic wave data to a computing device, a processor for receiving the acoustic wave data from the plurality of accelerometers and providing the acoustic wave data to the short-range radio transmitter, and a battery for providing power to the processor, the plurality of accelerometers, and the short-range radio transmitter. A distance between each accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers is predetermined. The processor, the plurality of accelerometers, the short-range radio transmitter, and the battery are embedded within the elastically compliant body.