Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring via Acoustic Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure measurement methods are cumbersome, invasive, and unable to provide continuous, accurate, non-invasive readings, limiting their use in monitoring real-time changes in blood pressure outside a hospital setting and impeding the detection of health conditions related to hypertension and hypotension.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive blood pressure measuring device utilizing audio sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and machine learning to correlate acoustic signals from blood vessels to determine blood pressure, allowing for continuous monitoring and detection of deviations from threshold pressure ranges, enabling alerts for potential health issues such as hypertension and stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional blood pressure measurement methods (stethoscope and sphygmomanometer) are used, then blood pressure can be measured, but the measurement process is cumbersome and cannot provide continuous readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sphygmomanometer and stethoscope system with an electronic sensor-based system that uses acoustic and vibration signals to detect blood pressure continuously without requiring manual inflation and deflation of cuffs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous blood pressure monitoring by maintaining constant contact between sensors and the patient's body, allowing uninterrupted acquisition of blood pressure data over time rather than discrete periodic measurements
2Measurement precision
If invasive arterial catheter insertion is performed, then accurate and continuous blood pressure measurement is achieved, but the risk of infection and other complications increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic sensors and vibration detectors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure blood pressure through acoustic signals and vessel wall vibrations, eliminating the need for direct invasive catheter insertion into the arterial system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the invasive mechanical catheter system with a non-invasive acoustic and vibrational sensing system that detects blood pressure through physiological signals transmitted through tissues
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional blood pressure cuffs are used, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but the device is bulky and cannot be worn continuously for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into separate functional components including acoustic sensors, vibration detectors, and processing units that can be distributed and integrated into wearable form factors rather than requiring a single bulky device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible and thin sensor components that can be conformally attached to the patient's body, enabling continuous wear and movement without the rigidity and bulk of traditional cuff-based systems
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 continuous, accurate, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, facilitating early detection of health conditions like hypertension and hypotension, reducing the need for invasive methods and improving patient care in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining, from the audio transducers, an acoustic signal from a blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
utilizing audio sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and machine learning to correlate acoustic signals from blood vessels
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring for changes in a health condition using a non-invasive blood pressure measuring device includes obtaining an acoustic signal from a blood vessel using an audio transducer, converting the acoustic signal to a blood pressure measurement, sampling the pressure measurement over a sample frequency, determining average pressure from the sampled pressure measurement over a target time period, monitoring the average pressure for deviation from a threshold pressure range, and generating an alert signal from the blood pressure measuring device if a deviation from the threshold pressure range is detected.