Single Finger Physiology Sensor with Raised Mound Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biofeedback sensors require multiple fingers for measuring physiological signals like skin conductance, temperature, and blood volume pulse, leading to cumbersome attachment and removal, reduced user comfort, and increased cost.
Innovation Solution
A compact sensor device designed to be worn on a single finger, featuring raised mounds with spaced-apart electrodes for skin conductance and integrated temperature and photoplethysmography sensing, along with a processor for signal processing and modulation, allowing for simultaneous capture of multiple physiological signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are attached to different fingers to detect skin conductance, temperature, and blood volume pulse, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (skin conductance electrodes, temperature sensor, and photoplethysmography sensor) into a single integrated sensor unit that can be attached to one finger. This merging of previously separate sensors into one compact device enables simultaneous measurement of multiple physiological parameters without requiring multiple separate sensor attachments, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single finger-mounted sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring skin conductance through paired electrodes, detecting temperature via a thermal sensor, and capturing blood volume pulse through photoplethysmography. This multi-functional design allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require three or more separate sensors distributed across different fingers, improving versatility while reducing overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are mounted to different fingers, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple sensing functions into a single integrated sensor unit, the patent reduces the number of attachment and removal operations required. Instead of separately attaching and removing multiple sensors from different fingers, users only need to attach and remove one unified sensor, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are occupied on fingers, then measurement capability is improved, but user comfort and manipulation ability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single sensor unit that occupies only one finger, reducing the number of fingers occupied compared to using separate sensors on multiple fingers. This consolidation improves user comfort and dexterity by minimizing the number of fingers that need to be occupied for accurate measurement, while still providing comprehensive physiological monitoring
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are used, then measurement capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing functions (skin conductance, temperature, and photoplethysmography) into a single sensor unit, reducing the total number of sensors required. This consolidation directly reduces cost by eliminating the need to purchase, manage, and replace multiple separate sensors while maintaining the ability to measure multiple physiological parameters
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
Enables efficient and comfortable capture of multiple physiological signals from a single finger, reducing setup time, enhancing user mobility, and lowering costs by eliminating the need for multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a skin conductance sensing device operable to measure skin conductance using the first and second electrodes when abutted against the palmar surfaces of the single finger
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensing device disposed beneath the second electrode and thermally coupled therewith for sensing temperature of the skin abutted against the skin-abutting electrode surface of the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
a photoplethysmography sensing device including at least one optical sensor disposed beneath the first electrode and optically communicating with the skin abutting against the electrode surface thereof, the electrode surface of the first electrode being adapted to transmit light therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
The described physiology sensor is worn on a single finger to capture one or more different physiological signals and has a sensor body including first and second raised mounds, protruding from its surface and being longitudinally spaced-apart such as to define a transverse air gap therebetween. The mounds each retain electrodes which abut palmar surfaces of the single finger. The sensor also has one or more physiological sensing devices housed within the body, including a skin conductance sensing device. The sensor can also have at least one of a temperature sensing device, and a photoplethysmography sensing device. A processor is housed within the body and communicates with the electrodes and the sensing devices to apply an electrical excitation thereto, and to process the physiological measurements.