Dynamic Heart Rate Variation Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting heart rate variations, particularly in diagnosing atrial fibrillation, face challenges with obtrusiveness and accuracy, as they either rely solely on optical measurements that are less precise or continuous electrical measurements that disrupt daily life.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines optical and electrical sensing, initially using optical measurements at a lower sampling rate and switching to higher sampling when deviations are detected, initiating ECG measurements only when necessary to enhance accuracy and reduce obtrusiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical sensors are used to detect heart rate continuously, then unobtrusiveness and continuous detection are achieved, but measurement precision and signal-to-noise ratio deteriorate due to motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sampling rate of the optical sensor based on detected heart rate variations. When normal heart rate is detected, a lower sampling rate is used to maintain unobtrusiveness. When arrhythmia suspicion arises, the sampling rate increases to improve measurement precision and reduce motion artifact impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the optical sensor by adjusting the sampling rate. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between unobtrusiveness and measurement precision dynamically, rather than being fixed at one sampling rate throughout operation.
2Measurement precision
If ECG measurements are performed continuously with multiple electrodes, then measurement precision improves, but obtrusiveness increases and patient convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous ECG measurement, the system uses periodic ECG measurements triggered only when arrhythmia is suspected by the optical sensor. This periodic action reduces obtrusiveness while maintaining measurement precision when needed most.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor performs preliminary screening for arrhythmia detection before triggering the more invasive ECG measurement. This preliminary action filters out normal cases, ensuring ECG is only used when necessary, thus improving patient convenience without sacrificing detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors operate at high sampling rates continuously, then measurement precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sampling rate based on detected heart rate patterns. During normal operation, a lower sampling rate conserves energy. When arrhythmia suspicion is detected, the sampling rate increases to improve measurement precision, thereby optimizing the energy-precision tradeoff dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameter of sampling rate is changed based on physiological detection needs. This parameter change allows the system to consume less energy during normal operation while maintaining the capability for high-precision detection when medically necessary.
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
This approach provides a more accurate and user-friendly method for detecting heart rate variations, minimizing unnecessary electrical measurements and improving sensitivity, thus enhancing the detection of arrhythmias while maintaining unobtrusiveness.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensors may be configured to detect photoplethysmography (PPG) signals
Data Source
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Figure 3~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention relates toa system (34)for detecting variation of heart rate,HR, of a user(14), said system comprising an optical sensing unit (12) for measuring a heartbeat-related optical signal of said user(14) over time, a processing unit (20) for deriving an HR-variation signal from said heartbeat-related optical signal, an analyzing unit (22) for comparing said derived HR-variation signal to a reference HR range, and an initiating unit (26) for initiating a process for measuring an informative heartbeat-related signal of said user (14) depending on said comparing of said analyzing unit (22).