Steering Wheel PPG Monitoring for Driver Pulseless Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardiac conditions such as sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block can lead to cardiac standstill, which may go undetected in drivers, potentially resulting in life-threatening situations due to the inability to control a vehicle, and existing monitoring methods are inadequate for real-time detection and response.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-integrated system using photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to monitor arteriolo-capillary pulse wave intervals, with an on-board computer that alerts the driver, activates warning lights, takes control of the vehicle, and dispenses medication if necessary, to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cardiac monitors are used to monitor electrical activity of the heart, then potential candidates for pacemaker can be identified, but real-time detection in vehicle operating conditions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical cardiac monitoring systems with a photoplethysmography (PPG) based optical system. The PPG sensor uses light absorption changes in blood to detect pulse wave intervals, substituting electrical field measurement with optical field measurement. This enables real-time monitoring without the complexity of electrical cardiac monitors, achieving both reliability and ease of operation in vehicle operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If arterial line monitoring is used to monitor mechanical activity, then accurate pulse detection is achieved, but hospital setting requirement and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable, inexpensive PPG sensor that can be easily attached to the driver's finger or wrist. This single-use sensor provides accurate pulse wave detection without requiring complex reusable equipment like arterial lines. The sensor is discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization and maintenance infrastructure, thus achieving high measurement precision with low device complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If PPG sensor is used for heart rate monitoring, then loss of mechanical pulse wave can be detected, but integration into vehicle safety system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PPG sensor integration with the vehicle's existing on-board computer system. The PPG sensor connects to the computer, which already possesses processing capabilities, alert systems (visual and audio), and control functions. This consolidation avoids creating a separate standalone system, reducing overall integration complexity while maintaining the ability to detect pulseless conditions and trigger appropriate safety responses.
4Reliability
If multiple alert mechanisms are implemented, then driver and nearby individuals are warned, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements alert mechanisms that activate periodically or on-demand based on detected cardiac conditions. The visual alert (display screen) and audio alert (speaker) are triggered only when pulseless conditions are detected, rather than operating continuously. This periodic activation maintains high safety warning effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption, as the alerts are engaged only when necessary to warn the driver or nearby individuals.
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 system effectively detects pulseless conditions in drivers, alerts them and nearby individuals, and takes control of the vehicle to prevent accidents, potentially saving lives by ensuring safe vehicle operation and medical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an uncomplicated and inexpensive optical measurement method that is often used for heart rate monitoring purposes. It is also a modality that can detect the loss of a mechanical pulse wave
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a vehicle cabin, a steering wheel adapted to include at least one sensor to measure arteriolo-capillary pulse wave intervals of a driver when the steering wheel is gripped by the driver, a computer, a proximity sensor system, rear tail lights, navigation system and an audio system, wherein the steering wheel, at least one sensor, proximity sensor system, rear tail lights navigation system and audio system are each operably connected to the computer; and when the steering wheel is gripped by the driver, communicating the arteriolo-capillary pulse wave intervals of the driver to the computer to determine whether the driver is experiencing a pulseless condition and if a pulseless condition exceeding about six seconds is determined, the computer will assume control of the vehicle and using the vehicle navigation system, bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.