Blood Pressure Estimation Divergence Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-invasive blood pressure monitoring methods lack continuous and unobtrusive solutions that are robust to inter-patient and intra-patient variability, and fail to automatically detect when recalibration is required, leading to potential inaccuracies in blood pressure estimation.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that utilize a feature divergence metric to automatically trigger recalibration by comparing multiple blood pressure estimation values from different features, using a calibration trigger unit to determine if the divergence exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring accurate and continuous blood pressure monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-invasive blood pressure measurement methods are used, then patient comfort is improved, but continuous monitoring capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blood pressure measurement function into multiple independent features extracted from the arterial pulse wave signal (e.g., pulse arrival time, pulse wave velocity, waveform morphology parameters). Each feature can be independently calculated and combined to provide continuous monitoring while maintaining non-invasive comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses a single arterial pulse wave sensor to perform multiple functions: extracting multiple features for blood pressure estimation, detecting feature divergence, triggering recalibration, and providing continuous monitoring. This multi-functionality enables continuous non-invasive monitoring without requiring multiple separate devices or interventions.

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

2Device complexity

If calibration is performed manually or at fixed intervals, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inter-patient and intra-patient variability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration process simplicityVSAvoidblood pressure estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors multiple blood pressure estimation values derived from different features and compares them against each other. When divergence exceeds a threshold, the system automatically triggers recalibration. This feedback mechanism ensures measurement precision is maintained while adapting to inter-patient and intra-patient variability without requiring complex manual calibration protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs self-calibration by automatically detecting when recalibration is needed through feature divergence analysis and executing the recalibration process without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains high measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of manual calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple blood pressure estimation values from different features are compared, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure estimation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation and comparison process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates multiple blood pressure estimation values from different features during normal operation and stores them for comparison. This preliminary action allows the system to have calibration readiness prepared in advance, enabling quick divergence detection and recalibration triggering without complex real-time computation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3654837B1Apparatus and method for determining blood pressure of a subject
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3654837B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3654837B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3654837B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining blood pressure of a subject. To automatically trigger calibration the apparatus comprises a sensor signal input (31) configured to obtain an arterial pulse wave sensor signal (11) of the subject, a feature extraction unit (32) configured to extract multiple features (42) from the obtained arterial pulse wave sensor signal, an estimation unit (33) configured to determine multiple blood pressure estimation values (43) for individual extracted features and/or groups of extracted features and to determine the subject's blood pressure (44) from said multiple blood pressure estimation values, a calibration unit (34) configured to calibrate the estimation unit (33) based on blood pressure reference measurements (21), and a calibration trigger unit (35) configured to trigger calibration by the calibration unit (34) if the multiple blood pressure estimation values diverge more than a divergence limit.