Blood Pressure Monitoring Using Pulse Wave Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood pressure monitoring apparatuses cause discomfort and psychological instability due to the need to compress arteries until blood flow stops, leading to inaccurate measurements and stress during continuous monitoring, especially in 24-hour ambulatory settings.
Innovation Solution
A blood pressure monitoring apparatus with a cuff having multiple inflatable bladders that estimates arterial pressure using a regression line relationship between transmural pressure and pulse wave propagation velocity, allowing for continuous measurement without stopping blood flow, by applying real compression pressures and pulse wave propagation velocities to generate accurate blood pressure estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the cuff compression pressure is raised up to a target pressure value higher than the maximum blood pressure value to stop blood flow at the artery, then the blood pressure measurement accuracy is improved, but the living body experiences discomfort, psychological instability, and heavy burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression method (which directly compresses the artery to stop blood flow) with a new measurement approach using pulse wave propagation velocity. By measuring the velocity of pulse waves in the artery under different compression pressures and using this data to calculate blood pressure, the system eliminates the need for high compression pressures that cause discomfort while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from blood flow cessation (traditional method) to pulse wave propagation velocity. By monitoring how pulse waves travel through the artery at different compression pressures and using the relationship between compression pressure and pulse wave velocity to calculate blood pressure, the system achieves accurate measurements without requiring the artery to be completely compressed.
2Measurement precision
If the cuff compression pressure is increased until blood flow stops at the artery to obtain accurate blood pressure values, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the living body is subjected to heavy stress during continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical compression-to-cessation method with a pulse wave velocity-based calculation system. By measuring pulse wave propagation characteristics and using mathematical relationships to derive blood pressure values, the system eliminates the need for high compression pressures that cause heavy stress during continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pulse wave propagation velocity as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine blood pressure. Instead of directly compressing the artery to stop blood flow, the system measures how pulse waves travel through the artery under compression and uses this intermediary measurement to calculate blood pressure, thereby reducing stress on the living body.
3Measurement precision
If the cuff compresses the artery till blood flow stops at the maximum blood pressure value and then lowers compression pressure to the minimum blood pressure value, then the blood pressure measurement is completed, but the measurement process takes time and becomes noncontinuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous blood pressure measurement by maintaining the cuff at a low compression pressure state that does not stop blood flow. The pulse wave propagation velocity measurement can be continuously performed while the cuff remains in this relaxed state, eliminating the need to cycle through high compression phases that interrupt measurement continuity and waste time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by measuring pulse wave propagation velocity at multiple compression pressures to establish a relationship between compression pressure and pulse wave velocity for each individual. This preliminary action allows subsequent blood pressure measurements to be performed continuously without requiring repeated high compression phases, significantly reducing measurement time.
4Measurement precision
If the cuff tightening force is increased until blood flow stops at the artery to obtain accurate blood pressure values, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the living body feels insecure and becomes psychologically unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the intimidating mechanical compression method (which directly stops blood flow and creates anxiety) with a non-intrusive pulse wave velocity measurement approach. By measuring pulse wave propagation characteristics without completely compressing the artery, the system eliminates the source of psychological instability while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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
This approach alleviates the burden on the individual, enabling continuous and accurate blood pressure monitoring with reduced discomfort and stress, allowing for precise estimation of diastolic, systolic, and notch arterial pressures without the need for high compression pressures.
Implementation Method 1
the relationship between the transmural pressure (intraarterial blood pressure-compression pressure) of the artery and the squared value of the pulse wave propagation velocity
Data Source
AI summary
A blood pressure monitoring apparatus including a linear relationship storage portion storing previously stored linear relationships, a blood pressure measurement portion measuring a real arterial pressure of the person to be measured, a proper relationship generation portion applying, for the person to be measured, the real arterial pressure, real compression pressures, and real pulse wave propagation velocities, to thereby generate a proper relationship on the person to be measured among the real arterial pressures of the person to be measured, the real compression pressures, and the real pulse wave propagation velocities, and a blood pressure estimation portion applying, for the person to be measured, the real compression pressures and the real pulse wave propagation velocities obtained under the real compression pressures, to the proper relationship on the person to be measured, to thereby estimate the estimated arterial pressure.