Bending-Sensor Blood Pressure Measurement Without Inflatable Cuffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood pressure measurement devices require air cushions for pressurization, which can be uncomfortable and painful, especially for frequent measurements, and often lead to skin lesions, particularly in older individuals with thin skin.
Innovation Solution
A device that measures blood pressure using a bending sensor, such as a piezoelectric bimorph sensor, to detect arterial and venous pulsations without the need for air cushions, converting these pulsations into electrical signals for accurate blood pressure determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If air cushions are used for pressurization in blood pressure measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and skin lesions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air cushion component entirely from the measurement system. Instead of using an inflatable cuff with air pressure, the device employs a flexible sensor that directly detects arterial pulsations through mechanical contact, eliminating the source of skin lesions and discomfort while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (air cushion inflation/deflation) with a direct mechanical sensing approach. The flexible sensor detects blood pressure through arterial wall pulsations transmitted to the sensor surface, substituting the complex pneumatic mechanism with a simpler mechanical detection system that avoids skin trauma
2Measurement precision
If air cushions are used for pressurization, then systolic and diastolic pressure values can be determined, but the measurement process becomes painful and unsuitable for frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inflatable air cushion mechanism, replacing it with a flexible sensor that maintains constant gentle contact with the skin. This allows continuous or frequent measurements without the repeated inflation/deflation cycles that cause pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sensor automatically adapts to the patient's anatomy and maintains optimal contact pressure through its inherent flexibility. The sensor material itself provides the necessary compliance and pressure distribution, eliminating the need for manual pressure regulation mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If conventional measuring devices with integrated screens are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core measurement function from the complex integrated device structure. By using a flexible sensor that can be integrated into various platforms (watches, jewelry, medical devices), the measurement capability is decoupled from bulky housing, screens, and power systems, simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sensor design is platform-agnostic and can be integrated into multiple device types (smartwatches, jewelry, medical monitors). This universal sensor platform allows the same core technology to serve multiple applications, reducing development costs and device complexity across different product lines
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 device provides a comfortable and accurate measurement of blood pressure with minimal pre-tensioning force, suitable for long-term monitoring, and can be worn as jewelry or integrated into smartwatches, offering high signal quality and sensitivity to detect pulse pressure curves non-invasively.
Implementation Method 1
A device for blood pressure measurement with a support, a bending sensor arranged on the support, which is designed to detect a bend in the support
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1, 12, 17, 22, 26, 32, 37, 42) for blood pressure measurement, comprising a support (2), a bending sensor (4) arranged on the support (2) and designed to detect when the support (2) is bent, two legs (3) that are arranged at an angle to the support (2) at opposite sides of the support (2), and an evaluation unit (9) designed to determine a blood pressure value on the basis of sensor signals emitted by the bending sensor (4). The invention also relates to a method for measuring blood pressure.