Doppler Radar ECG Device for CHF Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) are inadequate as they rely solely on electrical heart signals, failing to provide comprehensive mechanical heart activity measurements, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis, and are not suitable for home use due to the need for trained personnel to place acoustical sensors correctly.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held device that combines ECG measurement with Doppler radar technology to capture both electrical and mechanical heart signals, featuring a transmitter, receiver, and ECG unit, along with an acceleration sensor for posture detection, allowing for easy and reliable monitoring without the need for specialized placement of sensors, and includes wireless data communication for remote analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If acoustical sensors are used to measure mechanical heart sounds, then mechanical heart activity can be detected, but the device cannot be used by untrained patients at home due to critical sensor placement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical heart activity detectionVSAvoidsensor placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical acoustical sensing system with an electromagnetic radar-based detection system. The continuous-wave Doppler radar transmitter and receiver eliminate the need for physical contact with the patient's body, allowing measurements to be taken through the chest wall without requiring precise sensor placement or trained personnel. This substitution maintains the ability to detect mechanical heart activity while dramatically improving ease of operation for home use by patients themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If only ECG measurements are performed, then the device is simple to operate, but mechanical heart activity cannot be measured which is crucial for accurate CHF diagnosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidmechanical heart activity data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ECG measurement capability with continuous-wave Doppler radar measurement capability into a single integrated device. The ECG unit continues to capture electrical heart activity while the radar transmitter and receiver simultaneously detect mechanical heart activity through Doppler frequency shifts. This combination allows untrained patients to obtain both electrical and mechanical heart data at home, eliminating information loss while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both ECG and Doppler radar measurement systems. The single device can perform electrical heart activity monitoring via ECG electrodes and mechanical heart activity detection via radar, providing comprehensive cardiac assessment capabilities previously requiring multiple separate devices or specialized personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If Doppler radar technology is used to measure mechanical heart signals, then mechanical heart activity can be detected without specialized placement, but the device complexity increases compared to simple ECG monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor placement flexibilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor placement systems with electromagnetic radar technology. The continuous-wave Doppler radar system uses electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the chest wall and detect mechanical heart motion without physical contact or precise positioning. This substitution reduces the operational complexity of sensor placement while the internal device complexity is managed through integrated circuit design and signal processing algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 untrained patients to easily monitor both electrical and mechanical heart activities, providing critical parameters like pre-ejection period and heart contractility, with the ability to detect decompensation and alert medical staff, improving CHF diagnosis and management.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves of a predefined frequency into the chest of the patient, and a receiver for receiving reflected Doppler frequency shifted electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8548577B2Detection of electrical and mechanical cardio-vascular activities

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A device detects electrical and mechanical cardio-vascular activities of patient, especially early decompensation detection of congestive heart failure patients (CHF). The device includes a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic signals of a predefined frequency into the chest of the patient, a Doppler radar sensor (1) for detecting a Doppler radar signal reflected in the patient's chest, and an ECG unit (3) for capturing an ECG signal of the patient's heart. This device allows for simultaneous detection of electrical and mechanical cardio-vascular activities of a patient which can be used in an easy and reliable way and which allows for implementation in a hand-held or wearable device.