Co-located ECG and Stethoscope Patch for Blood Pressure Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices that measure electrocardiogram (ECG) and stethoscope readings separately often face inaccuracies in blood pressure calculations due to discrepancies between the R wave peak and aortic valve opening times, which can be exacerbated by physical activity, leading to poor accuracy in vital measurements.
Innovation Solution
A wearable patch system that co-locates ECG sensors and an electronic stethoscope, along with additional sensors like pulse oximeters and motion detectors, to concurrently measure heart activity, breathing cycles, and blood pressure from the same position, utilizing cognitive computing to correct for inaccuracies and provide more comprehensive health data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ECG and stethoscope measurements are taken separately, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to timing discrepancies between R wave peak and aortic valve opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ECG electrodes and stethoscope diaphragm into a single wearable patch device, allowing concurrent measurement of electrical heart activity and acoustic heart sounds from the same anatomical position. This integration eliminates timing synchronization errors between separate devices and enables accurate correlation of R wave peaks with aortic valve opening sounds for precise blood pressure calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable patch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an ECG monitor and an electronic stethoscope, and can also function as a pulse oximeter. This multi-functionality in a single device provides comprehensive cardiovascular monitoring while maintaining measurement precision through co-located sensors.
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for comprehensive heart monitoring, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple device management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates ECG, stethoscope, and pulse oximeter functions into a single wearable patch, eliminating the need for patients to manage multiple separate devices. All sensors are co-located on one patch that can be applied to the chest, providing comprehensive cardiovascular data through a single unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wearable patch performs multiple monitoring functions simultaneously - electrical heart activity detection, acoustic heart sound recording, and oxygen saturation measurement - providing comprehensive health data through one device that is easy to operate and wear.
3Measurement precision
If ECG and stethoscope sensors are co-located, then measurement precision is improved through synchronized data collection, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent physically co-locates ECG electrodes and stethoscope diaphragm sensors within the same wearable patch housing, ensuring they are positioned at the same anatomical location on the patient's chest. This spatial merging enables precise timing synchronization between electrical and acoustic heart signals without requiring complex software synchronization protocols.
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 integrated system enhances the accuracy of blood pressure measurements, provides more detailed health information, simplifies data collection, and reduces the need for separate devices by correlating ECG and stethoscope data in real-time, while also accounting for body movement and physical activity.
Implementation Method 1
an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having electrodes configured to contact a subject
Implementation Method 2
an electronic stethoscope having a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject
Implementation Method 3
The diaphragm structure includes a flexible diaphragm having a conductive coating forming a first conductive plate; and a second conductive plate disposed apart from the first conductive plate such that movement of the flexible dielectric diaphragm responsive to motion of the subject alters a capacitance between the first and second conductive plates
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable patch system includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having electrodes configured to contact a subject. An electronic stethoscope has a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject. The ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope are co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position. A housing is configured to support the diaphragm structure and the electrodes. The housing includes a mechanical interface configured to mount on the subject. A communications circuit is disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.