Biaxial Rotating Pulse Wave Sensor for Hard Tissue Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vital information measuring devices face challenges in accurately detecting pulse waves due to the influence of hard tissues like bones or tendons, as they do not effectively exclude pressure signals from these sources, and lack electrical control over the sensor's position on the artery, which hampers pulse wave detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A pulse wave detecting device with a sensor section that includes multiple pressure detecting elements arranged in a specific configuration, allowing for biaxial rotation and adjustable pressing force, controlled by a program that calculates optimal angles and pressures to minimize the impact of hard tissue signals and ensure accurate detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the pressure sensor is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the artery to improve pulse wave detection accuracy, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the influence of hard tissue pressure signals cannot be excluded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse wave detection accuracyVSAvoidhard tissue pressure signal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple pressure detecting elements arranged in multiple element rows. By segmenting the detection function across multiple elements, the system can identify and exclude signals from hard tissues (which appear as large, non-pulse wave signals) while maintaining accurate pulse wave detection from the artery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is made rotatable about both the first axis (perpendicular to the artery) and the second axis (along the artery), allowing dynamic adjustment of the sensor's orientation and pressing state. This dynamic positioning enables the system to find optimal detection angles that minimize hard tissue interference while maintaining pulse wave detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the pressure sensor is rotated about an axis along the artery to release wrist pressure, then the comfort is improved, but the rotation cannot be electrically controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrist pressure reliefVSAvoidelectrical control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual rotation mechanism is replaced with an electrical rotation drive section that can automatically control the sensor's position about both axes. This substitution enables programmable, precise control of the sensor's orientation to achieve both comfort and optimal detection automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple pressure detecting elements are used to improve detection accuracy, then the ability to exclude hard tissue signals is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse wave detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple pressure detecting elements serve multiple functions: they detect pulse waves from the artery, identify hard tissue pressure signals, and enable rotational adjustment for optimal positioning. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by providing both accurate detection and interference rejection capabilities within a single integrated sensor assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 improves pulse wave detection accuracy by flexibly changing the sensor's pressing state on the body surface, effectively reducing the influence of hard tissue signals and enhancing the measurement of vital information.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor section (6) pressed against the body surface with the pressing force, and including a plurality of pressure detecting elements (6a, 7a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3443895B1Pulse wave detection device, control method for pulse wave detection device, and control program for pulse wave detection device
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
  • EP3443895B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3443895B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3443895B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a pulse wave detecting device capable of improving pulse wave detection accuracy by flexibly changing a pressing state, toward a body surface, of a sensor section pressed against the body surface for use, a vital information measuring device, a method for controlling a pulse wave detecting device, and a control program for a pulse wave detecting device. A sensor section 6 is rotatable about a first axis X and is rotatable about a second axis Y. A control unit 12 determines a rotation angle about the second axis Y (an optimal roll angle) and a rotation angle about the first axis X (an optimal pitch angle) in a state where a roll angle of the sensor section is controlled to the optimal roll angle. Then, the control unit, presses the sensor section 6 against the body surface in a state where the sensor section 6 is controlled into the optimal roll angle and the optimal pitch angle, detects a pulse wave based on pressure signals detected by pressure detecting elements 6a and 7a during the increase, and calculates vital information based on the detected pulse wave.