Non-Invasive Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Monitoring via Radial Artery Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) require sophisticated hardware or are invasive, limiting their accessibility and practicality for monitoring aortic stiffness and blood pressure.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a single external pulse sensor to acquire and analyze arterial pulse signals, identifying the reflected wave onset point and calculating AoPWV through derivatives and error threshold conditions, allowing for non-invasive and cost-effective monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple arterial pulse sensors are placed over carotid and femoral arteries to determine AoPWV, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function to a single sensor location (radial artery) rather than requiring multiple sensors at carotid and femoral arteries. By focusing measurement on one accessible location and using signal processing to derive AoPWV, the system eliminates complex multi-sensor placement while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by measuring pulse wave characteristics at the radial artery (an accessible intermediate location) and using calculated effective aortic reflecting distance to infer aortic properties. This intermediary measurement point serves as a proxy for direct aortic measurement, avoiding the need for invasive or complex multi-point sensing
2Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to determine AoPWV, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement methods with non-invasive optical or electrical sensing at the radial artery. By using pulse signal analysis and mathematical modeling instead of direct aortic access, the system achieves precise AoPWV measurement without breaking skin or requiring surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the radial artery pulse as an intermediary that can be accessed non-invasively to infer aortic pulse wave velocity. The radial artery serves as a convenient proxy location that provides sufficient information through signal processing to determine AoPWV without direct aortic measurement
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated hardware is used for AoPWV determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sophisticated hardware systems with simpler sensing equipment combined with computational analysis. By using basic pulse signal acquisition at the radial artery and applying mathematical models (including derivative analysis and reflecting distance calculations), the system achieves precise AoPWV measurement without complex instrumentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model that copies or simulates the complex hemodynamic relationships normally requiring sophisticated hardware. By using mathematical models to represent pulse wave propagation and reflection, the system reproduces accurate AoPWV measurements through software rather than complex physical instrumentation
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are described herein for a system and a method for monitoring aortic pulse wave velocity and blood pressure. A pulse sensor is located on the exterior of an individual's body at a sensor location that allows acquisition of the pulse signal such that a reflected wave component of the pulse signal is present and allows characterization of reflected wave onset. A pulse signal is received from the pulse sensor and a reflected wave onset point is identified in the pulse signal. A reflected wave ratio is determined at the reflected wave onset point and the aortic pulse wave velocity is determined from the reflected wave ratio. The aortic pulse wave velocity can be displayed to the individual, transmitted to an external device and/or stored.