Adjustable Hand Electrodes for Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for determining health parameters, such as bioelectrical impedance analysis, electrocardiography, and photoplethysmography, require precise electrode positioning, which can be challenging for users to achieve correctly and consistently, leading to unreliable measurements and increased costs due to the need for trained personnel.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable hand electrodes that can be moved vertically between a lower and upper position, allowing users to easily assume a defined posture for bioelectrical impedance analysis without additional support, combined with optical sensors for photoplethysmography and pulse oximetry, enabling multiple health parameters to be measured simultaneously and intuitively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise electrode positioning is required for bioelectrical impedance analysis, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for trained personnel and defined measurement positions
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables users to perform bioelectrical impedance analysis independently without trained personnel. The electrodes are designed to be automatically positioned when the user stands on the platform and grasps the hand electrodes, eliminating the need for professional guidance while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement position is pre-defined and automatically established when the user steps on the platform and grasps the hand electrodes. The device automatically positions the electrodes in the correct locations without requiring manual adjustment or professional assistance, ensuring consistent and reliable measurements.
2Productivity
If multiple health parameters are measured simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and measurement methods
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple measurement methods (bioelectrical impedance analysis, electrocardiography, photoplethysmography, and pulse oximetry) into a single integrated system. All sensors and measurement functions are merged into one device that can be operated simultaneously, improving productivity while managing complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal measurement system that can perform multiple health parameter measurements simultaneously. The same platform and electrode structure support various measurement types, allowing one device to serve multiple functions and improve overall measurement efficiency.
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 reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective determination of multiple health parameters without trained personnel, ensuring reproducible posture and simultaneous measurement of bioelectrical impedance, electrocardiogram, and photoplethysmography data, enhancing user experience and measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the hand electrodes are designed to be moved in the vertical direction either individually or together with a height adjustment element
Implementation Method 2
the skin is x-rayed using monochromatic light-emitting diodes as a signal light source and the wavelength-dependent absorption is recorded using appropriate photodiodes or laser diodes as a signal light sensor
Implementation Method 3
a constant alternating current signal of approx. 0.8 mA at a frequency of approx 50 Hz or 60 Hz is called, of the person's body sensed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for determining at least one health parameter of a person (2) comprising a pair of a first foot electrode (14; 15) and a second foot electrode (15), each configured to be electrically contacted by a foot of the person (2), and a pair of a first hand electrode (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g) and a second hand electrode (17f, 17g), each configured to be grasped and electrically contacted by a hand of the person (2), wherein the hand electrodes (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g) are height-adjustable in the vertical direction (Z), and wherein the device (1) is configured to acquire sensor values for performing a bioelectrical impedance analysis by means of the foot electrodes (14, 15) and by means of the hand electrodes (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g).The device (1) is characterized in that the hand electrodes are further configured (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g) to be grasped by a hand of the person (2), wherein the hand electrodes are further configured (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g) to rest in a first, lower position in the vertical direction (Z), so that the hand electrodes (16f, 16g; 17f, 17g) are to be grasped by the person in a bent-over posture, and moved by the person in the vertical direction (Z) to a second, upper position, in which the person (2) stands in an upright posture, wherein preferably the device (1), and particularly preferably a control unit of the device (1), is configured to perform the bioelectrical impedance analysis.