Capacitive Body Parameter Computing Device for Non-Contact Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for computing physiological parameters, such as heart rate and respiration rate, face challenges including low compliance due to patient activity requirements, inaccuracies when the patient is still, inability to operate through clothing, and interference from environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A Body Parameter Computing Device (BPCD) that uses an electric field generator to create an electric field at a nominal frequency and amplitude, interacting with the body in the reactive near-field region. The device measures changes in the electric field's frequency and amplitude to compute physiological parameters, such as heart rate and respiration rate, without direct contact and while accounting for movement and environmental interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-based sensors are used to measure physiological parameters, then measurement precision may be improved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to activity requirements and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with a capacitive sensing system that uses electrical fields to detect physiological parameters. The capacitive sensor measures changes in capacitance caused by proximity to the body, eliminating the need for direct physical contact while maintaining measurement accuracy for parameters like heart rate and respiration rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical field as an intermediary between the sensor and the body. The capacitive sensor detects physiological parameters through changes in the electrical field caused by the body's proximity, allowing measurement without direct contact. This intermediary field enables compliance improvement while preserving measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If the device operates through clothing, then patient compliance improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from clothing materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic signal processing techniques that adapt to varying conditions including clothing presence. The system continuously adjusts its measurement parameters and filtering algorithms based on real-time signal characteristics, allowing it to maintain precision whether the patient is wearing clothing or not. The dynamic adaptation enables the device to distinguish between signals from the body and those from clothing materials.
3Measurement precision
If the device is highly sensitive to detect physiological signals, then measurement precision improves, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the electrical field and adjusts its operation based on detected conditions. When environmental interference is detected, the system modifies its sensing parameters or activates compensation algorithms. This feedback loop allows the device to maintain high sensitivity for physiological signals while filtering out environmental noise, thereby preserving both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts environmental interference and signals from clothing into useful information by using advanced signal processing to distinguish between different sources. The system analyzes the characteristics of detected signals and identifies patterns specific to physiological parameters versus environmental noise, effectively transforming potential harmful interference into beneficial data for improving measurement reliability.
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 BPCD achieves improved accuracy and compliance in computing physiological parameters, even when the patient is still or under clothing, and effectively filters out environmental interference, providing reliable data for health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
A Body Parameter Computing Device (BPCD) that uses an electric field generator to create an electric field at a nominal frequency and amplitude, interacting with the body in the reactive near-field region
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an electric field generator generates an electric field at a nominal frequency and a nominal amplitude. The electric field generator is connected to an antenna that radiates the electric field. A detector measures a frequency and an amplitude of the generated electric field as the electric field interacts with a body (such as a human body) in a reactive near-field region of the electric field. For each of one or more internal components of the body, a computation unit determines a respective periodic behavior in the measured frequency corresponding to movement of the internal component. The computation unit also computes, for each of the one or more internal components, a respective rate of the movement of the internal component based on the determined respective periodic behavior in the measured frequency. A gain control circuit adjusts the nominal amplitude according to the measured amplitude.