Blood Pressure Measuring Apparatus Adaptive Pulse Wave Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blood pressure measuring apparatuses require a long time for measurement due to the need for at least two pulse waves at a specific cuff pressure, even when pulse waves are not affected by artifacts, leading to increased measurement time.

Innovation Solution

A blood pressure measuring apparatus and method that detects pulse waves, calculates their intervals and change trends, and compares waveform information to determine when a single pulse wave or the average of two waves can be used for accurate blood pressure calculation, reducing measurement time by using a determining unit to assess consistency in amplitude relationships and waveform coincidence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If at least two pulse waves are always required at a specific cuff pressure for blood pressure calculation, then the measurement reliability is improved by preventing artifact influence, but the measurement time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the pulse wave selection criteria adaptive rather than fixed. The determining unit dynamically evaluates whether to use one or two pulse waves based on real-time waveform comparison and artifact detection, allowing the system to transition between different measurement modes (single pulse wave when no artifacts, two pulse waves when artifacts present) to optimize both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of pulse wave quantity from a fixed value (always two) to a variable value (one or two) based on waveform characteristics. By monitoring waveform coincidence and amplitude relationships, the system adjusts the number of pulse waves used for calculation, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement time and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the cuff pressure is gradually reduced to detect pulse waves, then the blood pressure measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement time is increased due to the gradual pressure reduction step

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing waveform comparison and artifact detection during the gradual pressure reduction process itself, rather than requiring additional post-processing steps. The determining unit continuously evaluates pulse wave characteristics as they are detected, enabling real-time decisions about blood pressure calculation without extending the overall measurement timeline

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2387944B1Blood pressure measuring apparatus and blood pressure measuring method
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP2387944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2387944B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2387944B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A blood pressure measuring apparatus which measures a blood pressure in a step of gradually changing a cuff pressure adapted to press an artery, includes: a pulse wave detecting unit; a pulse wave interval measuring unit; a waveform information storing unit; a change trend calculating unit; a waveform information comparing unit; and a determining unit which, when first two of the pulse waves, which are successively detected at different cuff pressures, satisfy a predetermined condition: that a magnitude relationship between the amplitudes of the first two of the pulse waves is consistent with the change trend of the first two of the pulse waves; that the pulse wave interval between the first two of the pulse waves is within a predetermined range; and that the waveform information of the first two of the pulse waves approximately coincide with each other, determines that the amplitude of latter one of the first two of the pulse waves is to be used for calculating the blood pressure value.