Wearable Blood Pressure Sensor Placement Feedback for Contact Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blood pressure measurement devices face challenges such as difficult sensor placement, the need for calibration, and insufficient signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in wearable form factors that require energy-efficient alternatives without inflatable cuffs.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a pressure sensor array and force resistive sensing sheet provides feedback on sensor placement and contact quality, guiding users to correctly position the sensor over an artery using directional indications and contact adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pressurized cuff method is used to measure blood pressure, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the device becomes tedious and stressful for users, especially in long-term monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurized cuff component from the blood pressure measurement system and replaces it with a wearable device that uses a pressure sensor array directly against the skin. This eliminates the tedious inflation/deflation process while maintaining measurement capability through continuous or intermittent sensing of the pressure pulse wave.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressurized cuff system with an electronic sensing system using pressure sensors that detect pressure pulse waves. The mechanical inflation/deflation mechanism is substituted with electronic signal processing and algorithm-based blood pressure calculation from the detected pressure waveforms.
2Ease of operation
If wearable devices without inflatable cuffs are used, then user convenience and energy efficiency are improved, but sensor placement difficulty and contact quality issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism that provides real-time guidance to users on sensor placement quality. The system analyzes contact quality metrics and provides actionable feedback (such as directional indications) to help users adjust the sensor position and pressure, thereby simplifying the placement process and ensuring measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual indicators (such as color-coded LEDs or display elements) to communicate sensor placement quality to the user. Different colors or patterns indicate whether the sensor is properly positioned and contacting the skin adequately, providing intuitive guidance without requiring complex user interpretation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If pressure sensor array is used in wearable device, then continuous monitoring capability is achieved, but contact quality varies affecting measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of contact quality before initiating blood pressure measurement. The system evaluates sensor-to-skin contact adequacy and provides guidance for proper placement before taking measurements, ensuring that measurements are only performed when contact quality meets minimum thresholds for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts measurement parameters based on detected contact quality. When contact quality is insufficient, the system may adjust sampling frequency, apply signal processing techniques to enhance weak signals, or prompt the user to improve contact, thereby maintaining measurement reliability across varying wear conditions.
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
Enables reliable, energy-efficient blood pressure monitoring by ensuring proper sensor placement and contact, improving measurement accuracy and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor array for acquiring a pressure signal from the user
Implementation Method 2
a force resistive sensing sheet for blood pressure monitoring
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel and useful system and method for generating user feedback related to the quality of the placement and contact of a blood pressure sensor on a user's body. The sensor is incorporated in a wearable blood pressure measurement device that is capable of analyzing and providing feedback regarding the quality of placement and contact of the pressure sensor array. The wearable includes a pressure sensor array for monitoring blood pressure, means for attaching the pressure sensor to a user's body for measuring a region, a processor operative to record pressure signals from said sensor array and to calculate quality of pressure sensor contact to measurement area score, and a display operative to determine and display the quality of the placement and contact of the pressure sensor. A quality metric indicating the quality of the placement and contact of the pressure sensor is provided as feedback to the user. Directional arrows along with alphanumeric messages guide the user to achieve optimum placement of the device.