Electric-Field Body Sensing for Non-Contact Physiological Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for computing physiological parameters of a human body, such as nighttime resting rates, suffer from low compliance, inaccuracy, inability to operate through bedding, and interference from environmental factors, and are unable to accurately measure parameters in the presence of movement or multiple bodies.
Innovation Solution
A Body Parameter Computing Device (BPCD) uses an electric field generator to interact with a body in the reactive near-field region, measuring frequency and amplitude changes to compute parameters like heart rate and respiration rate, and adjusts the field to compensate for movement and interference, enabling accurate computation even in non-stationary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contact-based sensors are used to measure physiological parameters, then measurement precision may be adequate, but compliance is low and usability is poor due to discomfort and wear requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with a capacitive sensing system that uses electrical fields to detect physiological parameters. The capacitive sensor measures changes in capacitance caused by proximity to the body (such as hand-waving gestures) without requiring physical contact or wear, thereby eliminating discomfort while maintaining measurement capability through electrical field interaction rather than mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical field as an intermediary between the sensor and the body. The capacitive sensor detects physiological parameters by measuring changes in the electrical field caused by the body's proximity or movement, allowing non-contact measurement that maintains precision while improving compliance and comfort
2Ease of operation
If non-contact capacitive sensing is used to improve compliance and comfort, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental interference and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the electrical field characteristics and adjusts its operation based on detected conditions. By analyzing changes in capacitance over time and comparing them against expected patterns, the system can distinguish between environmental interference and actual physiological signals, thereby maintaining measurement precision while operating in non-contact mode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic signal processing that adapts to movement and changing environmental conditions. The system processes temporal variations in the capacitive signal to differentiate between intentional gestures (such as hand-waving to indicate sneezing) and random movements, maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing ease of operation through non-contact sensing
3Ease of operation
If the sensor operates in the reactive near-field region to enable non-contact measurement, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to the need for field adjustment and interference compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the capacitive sensing system to automatically adapt to operating conditions without requiring complex external control. The system self-calibrates by monitoring baseline capacitance values and automatically adjusting its measurement parameters based on the detected electrical field characteristics, thereby enabling non-contact operation while minimizing the need for complex field adjustment mechanisms
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 BPCD provides accurate, continuous, and compliant measurement of physiological parameters, including nighttime resting rates, with improved discrimination of events and reduced interference, enabling early prediction of health conditions like COPD exacerbations.
Implementation Method 1
A Body Parameter Computing Device (BPCD) uses an electric field generator to interact with a body in the reactive near-field region, measuring frequency and amplitude changes
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an electric field generator generates an electric field at a nominal frequency. A detector measures, at multiple time points during a measuring period, one or more properties of the generated electric field. In various embodiments, the one or more properties of the electric field change over time due to interactions with a human body in a reactive near-field region of the electric field. From the measured one or more properties, a computation unit determines one or more periodic behaviors (such as a respiration or heartbeat) and one or more non-periodic behaviors (such as movement of a limb). The computation unit also computes, from at least one of the periodic and non-periodic behaviors, one or more physiological parameters of the human body. From the one or more physiological parameters, the computation unit detects one or more symptoms of a condition of the human body.