Ear Canal Sensor Positioning for Pulse Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse measurement devices face challenges in achieving accurate biological information measurement due to difficulties in adjusting the position of the pulse wave sensor relative to the blood vessel, leading to inconsistent measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a turnable biological sensor mounted on a shaft extending from an ear canal connection, allowing users to adjust the sensor's position before measurement, and a controller that determines if the biometric output is within an allowable range, providing notifications for adjustments, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pulse wave sensor position is fixed during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to adjust relative to blood vessel position
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor disposing part is designed to be rotatable relative to the ear canal connection, transforming the fixed sensor position into an adjustable one. This dynamic structure allows users to rotate the sensor to different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to achieve optimal contact with the blood vessel, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising manufacturing consistency.
2Measurement precision
If the biological sensor is made adjustable, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional parts: the ear canal connection (fixed portion) and the sensor disposing part (movable portion). This segmentation allows the sensor assembly to be independently rotated relative to the connection body, providing adjustability without requiring complex overall device redesign. The simple rotational joint between segments minimizes added complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor positions are provided, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to adjustment difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sensor disposing part enables dynamic position adjustment, allowing users to easily rotate the sensor to different angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to achieve optimal contact with the blood vessel. This dynamic adjustment mechanism significantly improves ease of operation compared to fixed or difficult-to-adjust designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller provides feedback by determining whether the biometric output is within an allowable range and notifying the user when adjustment is needed. This feedback loop guides users to adjust the sensor position until optimal measurement is achieved, making the adjustment process intuitive and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement device includes an ear canal connection configured to be inserted into an ear canal, a shaft extending from the ear canal connection along an insertion direction, a biological sensor configured to be turnable about the shaft relative to the ear canal connection and a controller configured to measure the biological information based on a biometric output obtained from the biological sensor.