Body-Worn Patch for Vital Sign Monitoring via Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vital sign monitoring devices in emergency medicine are cumbersome, expensive, and not viable for austere environments due to their size and weight, while maintaining moderate portability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A body-worn patch equipped with a plurality of sensors, including biopotential, inertial measurement, and optical sensors, capable of measuring ECG, SCG, and PPG signals, and a controller to determine physiological properties without compromising accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current state-of-the-art vital sign monitoring instruments are used, then measurement accuracy and comprehensive vital sign monitoring are improved, but device size and weight increase, reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into two parts: a lightweight body-worn patch that collects vital sign data (ECG, PPG, SCG signals) and a separate processing system that performs complex analysis. This segmentation allows the wearable component to be minimal in weight while the overall system maintains high measurement precision through sophisticated algorithms running on external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing algorithms and intermediate computational steps as mediators between the simple sensor measurements and the final vital sign determinations. These intermediaries (including machine learning models and signal processing pipelines) enable accurate derivation of complex physiological parameters from basic sensor data without requiring heavy monitoring equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current state-of-the-art vital sign monitoring instruments are used, then comprehensive physiological monitoring capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The body-worn patch uses universal sensors (ECG electrodes, PPG optical sensor, SCG accelerometer) that can measure multiple different vital signs through a single device. The same hardware platform supports monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other physiological parameters, achieving comprehensive monitoring capabilities without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simplified sensor measurements (ECG, PPG, SCG signals) as copies or proxies for more complex direct measurements. Instead of requiring complex specialized sensors for each vital sign, the system uses simple universal sensors that capture physiological information indirectly, then derives comprehensive physiological monitoring data through signal processing and algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If current state-of-the-art vital sign monitoring instruments are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but portability to austere environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a minimal body-worn patch and external processing equipment, the patent enables portability to austere environments. The patch itself is lightweight and can be worn anywhere, while the computational burden is offloaded to portable devices like smartphones or tablets, making the overall system suitable for field use while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The body-worn patch is designed to be self-contained and easy to apply, requiring minimal setup or calibration by the user. The sensors automatically begin collecting data upon contact with the body, and the system performs self-calibration and signal processing, reducing the operational burden on users in austere environments while maintaining measurement precision.
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 body-worn patch provides a smaller, more compact, and accurate means for measuring vital signs, enabling medical personnel to carry multiple devices into environments where larger devices are not feasible, and facilitating real-time monitoring and triage.
Implementation Method 1
a biopotential sensor capable of measuring an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal
Implementation Method 2
an inertial measurement unit capable of measuring a seismocardiogram (SCG) signal
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor capable of measuring a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal
Data Source
AI summary
A body-worn patch to be worn by a patient, wherein the body-worn patch comprises a plurality of sensors and a controller. The plurality of sensors comprises a biopotential sensor capable of measuring an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, an inertial measurement unit capable of measuring a seismocardiogram (SCG) signal, and an optical sensor capable of measuring a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal. The controller is in signal communication with the plurality of sensors and the controller is capable of receiving the ECG signal, the SCG signal, and the PPG signal. The controller is capable of determining a physiological property of the patient based on the ECG signal, the SCG signal, and the PPG signal.