Chest Patch Sensor with Heating Element for PPG Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physiological monitoring systems for patients in hospitals and homes are invasive, cumbersome, and require multiple devices, making it difficult to consistently and accurately measure vital signs and hemodynamic parameters over time.
Innovation Solution
A chest-worn patch sensor that non-invasively measures heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, and hemodynamic parameters like stroke volume and cardiac output using ECG, IPG, PPG, and PCG waveforms, with a heating element to enhance perfusion and reduce motion artifacts, wirelessly transmitting data to a gateway for integration with electronic medical records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional physiological monitoring systems are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple physiological monitoring functions (ECG, PPG, temperature, motion sensing) into a single integrated patch device. The patch integrates electrodes, optical sensors, heating elements, and wireless communication capabilities in one unified structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining measurement accuracy through coordinated operation of all components
Solution Approach 2:
The patch device performs multiple physiological monitoring functions simultaneously - measuring heart rate via ECG, blood oxygenation via PPG, body temperature via thermistor, and motion via accelerometer. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized devices with one universal monitor, reducing system complexity while comprehensive monitoring capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for comprehensive monitoring, then measurement completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing modalities (electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical) into a single adhesive patch that can be applied once to the chest. This eliminates the need for patients to wear or operate multiple separate devices, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive monitoring through the integrated multi-functional sensor array
3Measurement precision
If heating element is applied to enhance perfusion, then measurement precision is improved, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element incorporates a thermistor that continuously monitors skin temperature and provides feedback to the control circuit. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adjusts heating power to maintain optimal temperature for PPG signal quality while preventing overheating, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex manual temperature control mechanisms
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 patch sensor provides continuous, accurate, and comfortable monitoring of vital signs and hemodynamic parameters, reducing the need for multiple devices and invasive methods, allowing for timely intervention in deteriorating patient conditions and enabling long-term compliance.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor that measures PPG waveforms includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest
Implementation Method 2
An optical system, located on a bottom surface of the patch sensor, includes a light source that generates radiation in both the red and infrared spectral ranges
Implementation Method 3
Some signals, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, are measured with sensors (e.g. electrodes, optics, microphones) that connect or attach directly to the patient's skin
Implementation Method 4
Some signals, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, are measured with sensors (e.g. electrodes, optics, microphones)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a body-worn patch sensor for simultaneously measuring a blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and other vital signs and hemodynamic parameters from a patient. The patch sensor features a sensing portion having a flexible housing that is worn entirely on the patient's chest and encloses a battery, wireless transmitter, and all the sensor's sensing and electronic components. It measures electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, and collectively processes these to determine the vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor that measures PPG waveforms also includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest.