Elongated Physiological Sensor Housing for Multi-Parameter Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable physiological measurement devices are limited by the number of measurements they can perform, ergonomics, and ease of use, which hinders their effectiveness in remote patient monitoring (RPM) and self-measurement applications.

Innovation Solution

A portable physiological measurement device with an elongated housing design, featuring physiological end sensors at each end and a finger sensor in between, allowing for easy gripping and operation with one or two hands, and enabling multiple physiological measurements without interfering with the user's grip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physiological sensors are integrated into a single device, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple physiological sensors (thermometer, stethoscope, oximeter, ECG electrodes, ultrasound transducer) into a single integrated device with a unified housing. This merging approach allows the device to perform multiple measurements while maintaining a compact form factor that does not significantly increase complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a universal measurement tool that can perform various physiological measurements through different sensors. The housing accommodates multiple sensor types, each accessible at different locations, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the device is made compact for easy handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the number of measurements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidnumber of measurements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges sensors in different spatial dimensions and locations on the housing - end sensors at opposite ends, finger sensors on the surface, and electrodes on contact areas. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows multiple measurements to be taken simultaneously or sequentially without increasing the device's compact footprint, maintaining ease of handling while expanding measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If sensors are positioned for optimal measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ergonomics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions different sensor types at specific locations on the housing optimized for their function: end sensors for contact with body extremities, finger sensors for finger placement, and electrodes on flat surfaces for skin contact. Each sensor location is optimized for its specific measurement type while the overall housing geometry maintains ergonomic gripability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4566527A1Portable physiological measuring device
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 WITHINGS SAS
  • EP4566527A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566527A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4566527A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable physiological measurement device (100) is proposed that can be grasped by a manipulator, comprising: - a housing (102) of elongated shape along an extension direction (X) and comprising, along the extension direction, a first end (102L) and a second end (102R), - a first physiological end sensor (106L) positioned at the first end (102L), - a second physiological end sensor (106R) positioned at the second end (102R), - a physiological finger sensor (110L, 110R, 114) arranged on the housing (102) near the first end (102L) or the second end (102R).