Blood Pressure Cuff Wrapping Strength Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood pressure measurement devices struggle to accurately determine the wrapping strength of a cuff around the measurement site, leading to variations in blood pressure readings due to factors like cuff size and site hardness, making it difficult for users to ensure consistent measurement quality.

Innovation Solution

A blood pressure measurement device equipped with sensors to detect cuff behavior, pressure pulse wave amplitude, and Korotkoff sounds, along with a control unit that evaluates wrapping strength by comparing current readings with stored histories, allowing users to recognize and adjust for variations in cuff placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cuff pressure increase manner is used to determine wrapping strength, then the device can evaluate wrapping strength, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to variations caused by cuff size and site hardness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrapping strength determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides feedback to the user about the cuff wrapping strength by displaying evaluation results (e.g., appropriate, tight, loose) based on the detected arterial volume change characteristics. This allows users to adjust the cuff wrapping accordingly, improving measurement consistency across different users and conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device detects and evaluates multiple parameters including arterial volume change amplitude, cuff pressure increase rate, and Korotkoff sound characteristics to comprehensively assess wrapping strength. By considering multiple parameters rather than relying on a single metric, the system achieves more accurate and reliable wrapping strength determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the same amount of air is sent to the cuff, then the cuff pressure increases uniformly, but the wrapping strength evaluation becomes inaccurate due to variations in measurement site characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidwrapping strength evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces simple mechanical air injection with a sensor-based detection system that measures arterial volume change, pressure pulse wave amplitude, and Korotkoff sounds. This substitution allows for more precise evaluation of wrapping strength that accounts for variations in measurement site characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces intermediate detection parameters (arterial volume change, pressure pulse wave amplitude) as mediators between the cuff air injection and the final wrapping strength evaluation. These intermediate measurements allow the system to account for the effects of cuff size and site hardness before determining wrapping strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no history comparison is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot recognize variation in wrapping strength over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure complexityVSAvoidwrapping strength variation information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device stores historical wrapping strength evaluation data and blood pressure measurement results in advance, allowing the user to compare current measurements with past performance. This preliminary storage of information enables users to recognize wrapping strength variations over time without adding complex real-time analysis capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates a copy of historical measurement data (wrapping strength evaluations, blood pressure values) that can be displayed to the user for comparison. This copying of past data allows users to identify patterns and variations in wrapping strength without requiring complex computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 device enables users to accurately assess and adjust the wrapping strength of the cuff, ensuring consistent and reliable blood pressure measurements by comparing current readings with historical data, thereby improving measurement accuracy and user awareness of cuff placement variations.

Implementation Method 1

the control unit detects a pressure pulse wave amplitude of an artery in the measurement site around which the cuff is wrapped

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure pulse wave:

Implementation Method 2

A blood pressure measurement device equipped with sensors to detect cuff behavior, pressure pulse wave amplitude, and Korotkoff sounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKorotkoff sounds: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10201285B2Blood pressure measurement device including wrapping strength evaluation capabilities

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

A cuff of a blood pressure measurement device compresses a measurement site by being wrapped therearound. A control unit evaluates the wrapping strength of the cuff, by comparing a detection amount detected based on the output of a sensor with a history of the detection amount stored in the storage unit.