Conformal Chest Patch With Strain-Isolated Sensors for Sleep Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring sleep-related disorders involve multiple cumbersome devices, leading to inaccurate readings, difficulty in integrating data, and patient discomfort, which can delay or prevent effective diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A conformal patch device with integrated sensors, including PPG, ECG, and accelerometer, adheres to a single area of the chest, providing accurate and consistent measurements through mechanical strain isolation and viscoelastic substrates, allowing home monitoring of sleep disorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for monitoring sleep-related disorders, then comprehensive measurements can be obtained, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (PPG sensor, ECG electrodes, accelerometer, microphone) and their associated circuits into a single integrated patch device. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities for sleep-related disorders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: PPG for blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring, ECG for cardiac electrical activity, accelerometer for body position and movement detection, and microphone for snoring detection. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive measurements in a single device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are placed on various body parts, then diverse physiological parameters can be monitored, but measurement accuracy decreases due to patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating all sensors onto a single patch that adheres to the chest, the invention eliminates the problem of sensors being knocked off or displaced. The integrated design ensures all sensors remain in fixed positions relative to each other and the patient's body, maintaining measurement accuracy throughout the monitoring period.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unconnected devices are used, then various measurements can be collected, but data integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges all sensor data collection and processing into a single integrated system. The patch device's processor receives and synchronizes data from all sensors (PPG, ECG, accelerometer, microphone) simultaneously, eliminating the complexity of integrating data from multiple unconnected devices.
4Measurement precision
If traditional polysomnography devices are used, then accurate sleep disorder diagnosis can be achieved, but patient comfort and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible adhesive patch that conforms to the patient's chest surface, providing comfort during sleep. The thin-film design with soft substrates and flexible circuits eliminates the bulk and rigidity of traditional polysomnography equipment, allowing patients to sleep naturally while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are attached to various body parts, then comprehensive data can be collected, but the time required for patient education and setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all sensors into a single pre-assembled patch device, the invention eliminates the need to instruct patients on how to attach multiple separate devices to different body parts. The single patch application process is simple and intuitive, dramatically reducing setup time and patient education requirements.
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 device reduces technical failure risks and education time, offering reliable monitoring of sleep apnea and other disorders with fewer components, facilitating accurate diagnosis in a home setting.
Implementation Method 1
the present patches perform both seismocardiography (SCG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG) measurements
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the plurality of sensors is attached to a viscoelastic substrate to achieve mechanical strain isolation from other patch components
Data Source
AI summary
A conformal patch device can be provided to a patient. The patch device can include sensors configured to be positioned over a chest of a patient. The sensors can include PPG sensors, ECG sensors, and SCG sensors. The conformal patch device can adhere to a single continuous area of the chest. Some sensors may attached to a viscoelastic substrate to achieve mechanical isolation from other patch components. The conformal patch device can capture measurements from the sensor doing a time window sufficient enough to detect disordered breathing. The system can determine disordered breathing and related cardiorespiratory parameters during the time window for the patient using the sensor measurements.