Cuffless Blood Pressure Calibration Detection via Pulse Wave Velocity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cuff-less hemodynamometers face challenges in accurately determining the blood pressure calibration time point for individual users, as this time point varies with body changes and device mounting conditions, leading to potential inaccuracies and unnecessary recalibrations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor and processor that calculates blood pressure values using pulse wave velocity (PWV) algorithms, determining a calibration time point by monitoring differences between measured blood pressures and guiding users through a personalized calibration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If blood pressure calibration is performed at fixed intervals (one month, one week, or one day) based on manufacturer experimental results, then all users receive uniform calibration guidance, but individual users cannot accurately recognize their specific calibration time points due to variations in body changes and device mounting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration time point detection accuracyVSAvoidcalibration monitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors blood pressure measurements and compares them against reference values, providing feedback when calibration is needed. The processor detects calibration requirements by analyzing blood pressure data trends and notifying users when recalibration should be performed, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to individual user needs rather than using fixed intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to automatically detect their own calibration needs through continuous blood pressure monitoring and analysis. The device autonomously determines when calibration is required based on detected changes in blood pressure patterns, eliminating the need for users to manually track calibration schedules or make subjective judgments about when recalibration is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If cuff-less hemodynamometer is used to reduce inconveniences of cuff hemodynamometer and device movement, then user convenience is improved, but accurate blood pressure calibration time point detection becomes difficult without reference measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure measurement convenienceVSAvoidcalibration time point detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration using a cuff hemodynamometer to establish baseline blood pressure values before transitioning to cuff-less measurements. This preliminary action creates a reference point that enables subsequent cuff-less measurements to be accurately interpreted, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision while achieving the convenience of cuff-less operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary reference measurement from a cuff hemodynamometer to bridge the gap between initial calibration and ongoing cuff-less monitoring. The reference equipment serves as a mediator that provides accurate baseline data, which then enables the cuff-less device to accurately detect calibration time points without requiring repeated cuff measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If blood pressure calibration is performed frequently to ensure accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but user inconvenience increases due to repeated calibration operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements intelligent feedback mechanisms that continuously analyze blood pressure measurements to detect when calibration is actually needed. By monitoring trends and comparing against reference values, the system provides feedback only when calibration is required, preventing unnecessary calibration operations while ensuring accuracy is maintained when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs calibration only to the extent necessary - using partial action by calibrating only when detection algorithms indicate it is needed, rather than excessive action through fixed frequent scheduling. This approach maintains measurement precision by performing calibration when required while minimizing user inconvenience by avoiding unnecessary calibration operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 provides precise and timely blood pressure calibration, reducing user inconvenience and improving the accuracy of cuff-less hemodynamometer readings by adapting to individual user changes and conditions.

Implementation Method 1

calculate a first blood pressure value (BP1) and a second blood pressure value (BP2) by applying the determined values to pulse wave velocity (PWV) algorithms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse wave velocity (PWV):

Implementation Method 2

a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor disposed to be exposed through a second part of the housing, the PPG sensor configured to calculate a blood pressure value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmogram (PPG):

Data Source

PatentUS11219375B2Method and device for detecting blood pressure calibration time point
Publication Date: 2022.01.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11219375B2 patent drawing
  • US11219375B2 patent drawing
  • US11219375B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device includes a processor and memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the electronic device to: determine a pulse arrival time (PAT) value, a heart rate (HR) value, and a pulse transit time (PTT) value from the second data, calculate a first blood pressure value (BP1) and a second blood pressure value (BP2) by applying the determined values to pulse wave velocity (PWV) algorithms of Equations 1 and 2, wherein BP1≅a1PAT+b1HR+c1 . . . Equation 1, BP2≅a2 ln(PTT)+b2 . . . Equation 2 in Equations 1 and 2, a1, a2, b1, b2, and c1 are constant values for matching blood pressure values measured during calibration with blood pressure values measured by a cuff hemodynamometer, determine a calibration time point based at least in part on a difference between the first blood pressure value and the second blood pressure value, and provide guide information related to the calibration time point through a user interface based at least in part on the determination.