Chest Patch Sensor with Heating Element for PPG Perfusion
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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, especially in a non-invasive and cuff-free manner.
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, 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 and notification systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional cuff-based blood pressure measurement and multiple separate monitoring devices are used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate monitoring functions (ECG, PPG, IPG, PCG sensors) into a single integrated patch device that can measure heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patch device is designed as a multi-functional monitoring system that can perform various physiological measurements (cardiac, respiratory, hemodynamic parameters) through different sensing modalities, making it a universal monitoring solution that replaces multiple specialized devices
2Ease of operation
If invasive monitoring methods and multiple machines are used, then comprehensive physiological data can be obtained, but ease of operation and patient comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing components, electronics, and processing functions into a single wearable patch that adheres to the patient's skin, eliminating the need for multiple separate machines and complex wiring while providing comprehensive physiological monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cuff-based blood pressure measurement with a wireless electronic system that uses photodetectors and impedance sensing to measure hemodynamic parameters, eliminating the need for mechanical cuffs and associated setup complexity
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used without heating, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision decreases due to reduced perfusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a heating element that pre-heats the skin area before and during optical measurements to enhance local perfusion and blood flow, ensuring optimal conditions for PPG waveform detection and improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent actively controls the thermal parameter of the measurement site by applying localized heat, which changes the physiological state of the tissue (increasing perfusion) to optimize the optical measurement process
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 interventions and improving patient compliance through a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor that measures PPG waveforms includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the 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.