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 oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and hemodynamic parameters like stroke volume and cardiac output, using ECG, PPG, and IPG waveforms, with a heating element to enhance perfusion and reduce motion artifacts, wirelessly transmitting data to a gateway for integration with existing medical records systems.
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, IPG, temperature sensing) into a single integrated patch device. The patch integrates electrodes for electrical signal detection, optical components for photoplethysmography, heating elements for perfusion enhancement, and wireless communication capabilities, replacing multiple separate monitoring devices with one unified system that maintains comprehensive measurement accuracy while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patch device performs multiple physiological monitoring functions simultaneously - measuring heart rate via ECG, blood oxygen saturation and peripheral perfusion index via PPG, respiratory rate via IPG, and skin temperature. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining the accuracy of each individual measurement through dedicated sensors and processing algorithms for each physiological parameter
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for physiological monitoring, then comprehensive parameter measurement is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple physiological monitoring functions into a single adhesive patch that can be applied to the patient's chest. The integrated design includes all necessary components - electrodes for ECG/IPG, optical sensors for PPG, heating element, battery, and wireless transmitter - allowing comprehensive parameter measurement (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, peripheral perfusion index, temperature) through one simple device application rather than multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patch device operates autonomously once applied to the patient's skin. It self-regulates the heating element to maintain optimal skin temperature for sensor performance, automatically processes the physiological signals from multiple sensors, and continuously transmits data wirelessly without requiring user intervention. The adhesive backing ensures stable attachment and consistent signal quality throughout the monitoring period
3Measurement precision
If heating element is applied to enhance perfusion, then PPG signal quality improves, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the skin temperature at the measurement site and feeds this information back to a control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the heating element's power output in real-time to maintain the skin temperature within an optimal range for PPG signal quality, typically between 32-37°C. This closed-loop feedback system enhances PPG signal quality by ensuring consistent peripheral perfusion while automatically managing temperature control without requiring complex external equipment
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 patient compliance.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is attached to a bottom surface of the housing so that, during use, it contacts and heats an area of the patient's chest
Implementation Method 2
A photodetector detects the reflected radiation in the different spectral ranges to generate analog red-PPG and infrared-PPG waveforms
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.