Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring via Pulse Wave Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure measuring devices are inconvenient and inaccurate for frequent, portable use, particularly for high-risk groups such as the elderly and overworked individuals, as they often require a cuff and can provide uncomfortable and unreliable readings due to size and posture issues.
Innovation Solution
A portable physiological measuring apparatus that uses electrocardiogram and pulse wave signals to estimate blood pressure without a cuff, incorporating electrodes, sensors, and signal processing to calculate Pulse Arrival Time and Pulse Wave Velocity, allowing for wireless communication of data to a terminal for display and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a blood pressure cuff is used for measurement, then blood pressure can be measured, but the device becomes large and inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blood pressure measurement function from the traditional cuff-based system by using a finger-mounted sensor that measures pulse wave signals directly at the fingertip. This eliminates the need for a large cuff while maintaining measurement capability through alternative physiological signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cuff-based oscillometric measurement system with an optical/electrical pulse wave detection system. The finger-mounted sensor uses light absorption changes to detect pulse waves, substituting mechanical pressure application with optical detection methods.
2Measurement precision
If a blood pressure cuff is used for measurement, then blood pressure can be measured, but the device requires a connecting line and becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting line requirement by integrating the measurement sensor directly into the finger-mounted device. The pulse wave sensor and processing electronics are combined in a single portable unit that communicates wirelessly or directly with the display, eliminating the need for external connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pulse wave sensor, signal processing unit, and display into a single integrated finger-mounted device. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate cuff, connecting lines, and external processing equipment.
3Measurement precision
If a blood pressure cuff is used for measurement, then blood pressure can be measured, but the excessive pressure makes the user uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure application of a cuff with a gentle finger-mounted sensor that detects pulse waves through light absorption. This substitution eliminates the need for excessive pressure while maintaining measurement accuracy through optical detection of blood flow changes.
4Ease of operation
If cuffless portable devices are used, then portability is improved, but blood pressure reading accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulse wave velocity as an intermediary parameter to estimate blood pressure. The finger-mounted sensor measures pulse wave characteristics, and these measurements are converted to blood pressure estimates through established physiological relationships, maintaining accuracy without requiring a cuff.
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
Enables convenient, accurate, and continuous monitoring of blood pressure and other physiological parameters like SpO2 and heart rate, facilitating better health management and cardiovascular status prediction for users without the need for a traditional cuff-based device.
Implementation Method 1
an electrocardiogram circuit unit that uses two electrodes to measure an electrocardiogram signal on the basis of detecting slight physical current through a first electrode and a second electrode
Implementation Method 2
a pulse circuit unit including a dual emitter and one detector, to measure dual pulse wave signals and further to derive oxygen saturation from empirical calibration
Implementation Method 3
a first sensor unit configured to sense a movement of a portable physiological measuring apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Portable physiological measuring devices and methods are disclosed. Embodiments may provide measurement of blood pressure without traditional blood pressure cuffs. Further, disclosed embodiments may gather pulse oximetry (SpO2), heart rate and body temperature measurements simultaneously. A user's blood pressure index and other vital physiological results may be displayed on a portable physiological measuring apparatus or a portable terminal. Embodiments may provide a portable physiological measuring method and apparatus that displays results on a displayed screen.