Facial Biopotential Sensors for Cardiac Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting cardiac signals, such as electrocardiography, have limitations in convenience and effectiveness, particularly in monitoring cardiac activity outside the chest area, and there is a need for improved techniques and devices that can detect cardiac signals from biopotential sources like the head or face.
Innovation Solution
The use of biopotential sensors, including head or facial contact and non-contact electrodes, integrated with respiratory treatment apparatus like ventilators or masks, to measure and process facial biopotential signals to detect cardiac signals, with a processor controlling the detection and analysis of heart rate and variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional electrocardiography is used to detect cardiac signals, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring chest electrode placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses facial biopotential signals as an intermediary to detect cardiac activity. Instead of directly measuring chest electrical activity with ECG electrodes, the system measures biopotentials at facial locations (such as forehead or cheek) which contain reflected cardiac information, thereby simplifying electrode placement while maintaining cardiac detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The facial biopotential sensor system serves multiple functions: it can detect cardiac signals, monitor respiratory activity, and assess autonomic nervous system status all through a single sensor placement on the face, replacing the need for separate chest ECG monitoring
2Ease of operation
If facial biopotential sensors are integrated with respiratory treatment apparatus, then ease of operation improves by simplifying sensor placement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines facial biopotential sensing electrodes with respiratory treatment apparatus (such as CPAP masks or ventilator interfaces). The same device that delivers respiratory therapy also collects cardiac and autonomic monitoring data through integrated facial sensors, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The respiratory treatment apparatus is enhanced with multi-functionality: it continues to provide respiratory support while simultaneously serving as a platform for cardiac signal detection and autonomic status monitoring through integrated facial biopotential sensors
3Adaptability or versatility
If cardiac signals are detected from facial biopotentials, then adaptability improves for monitoring during sleep, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses facial biopotential signals as an intermediary measurement that reflects cardiac activity. While not a direct measurement of cardiac electrical activity like chest ECG, the facial signals provide sufficient information for cardiac monitoring during sleep when chest placement would be disruptive
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical chest electrode placement system with a facial sensing system that uses biopotential detection at facial locations. This substitution enables monitoring during sleep by eliminating the need for chest contact while still capturing cardiac-related electrical signals
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 allows for the convenient and accurate detection of cardiac signals from facial biopotentials, enabling monitoring of heart rate and variability, and can provide alerts for autonomic status or imbalance, cardiovascular trends, and other heart-related conditions, even during sleep.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a facial biopotential signal from a set of electrodes connected to a patient
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices and systems provide methods for detecting cardiac signals from head or facial biopotential sensors. In one embodiment, a facial biopotential signal is measured by a set of sensors. A processor derives a cardiac signal from the facial biopotential signal. Optionally, heart rate is detected from the cardiac signal. Heart rate variability may be determined and evaluated by the processor to generate warnings or messages from the evaluation. One or more head or facial biopotential electrodes for measuring the facial biopotential signal may be integrated in or at a contact surface of head support structures such as a headgear support or respiratory treatment mask. In some such embodiments a controller of a respiratory treatment apparatus may serve as a cardiac signal detector by processing the facial biopotential signal from the sensors and may make control adjustments or generate warnings based on an evaluation of detected signals.