Finger-Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Using Tactile Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure monitoring methods are not commonly practiced due to discomfort, expense, and difficulty in obtaining readings, especially for portable units, which limits regular monitoring and nocturnal measurements.
Innovation Solution
A finger-wearable blood pressure monitoring device with a tactile sensor array that uses oscillometry, auscultation, or applanation tonometry to estimate blood pressure, accounting for fit discrepancies and providing painless, non-intrusive monitoring through a deformable capacitive sensor array and machine learning algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional blood pressure monitors are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but user comfort deteriorates due to arm or wrist squeezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical squeezing mechanism of conventional blood pressure monitors with a tactile sensor array that detects arterial pulse waves through contactless or minimal-contact pressure sensing. The sensor array measures pressure fluctuations caused by blood flow without requiring strong external compression, thereby eliminating arm or wrist squeezing discomfort while maintaining measurement accuracy through advanced signal processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical pressure application to detection of natural arterial pulse wave characteristics. By monitoring the timing and amplitude of pulse waves detected by the tactile sensor array, the system calculates blood pressure indirectly through algorithmic analysis of pulse wave velocity and morphology, avoiding the need for strong mechanical compression and reducing user discomfort.
2Ease of operation
If portable blood pressure monitors are used, then ease of operation improves, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to fit discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the tactile sensor array continuously monitors pulse wave characteristics and adjusts measurements based on detected variations in finger fit or positioning. The system uses real-time analysis of pulse wave morphology and timing to compensate for fit discrepancies, allowing portable operation without sacrificing measurement accuracy through algorithmic correction of fit-related variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point pressure measurement to array-based multi-point tactile sensing across the finger surface. This dimensional expansion allows the system to detect pulse waves from multiple locations simultaneously, providing redundancy and enabling algorithmic selection or averaging of the most accurate signals, thereby compensating for fit variations and maintaining precision in portable applications.
3Productivity
If frequent blood pressure monitoring is performed, then health management improves, but user discomfort increases due to repeated arm squeezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically intensive measurement process with a tactile sensing system that requires minimal or no arm squeezing. The tactile sensor array detects arterial pulse waves through natural finger contact or light placement, enabling frequent monitoring without cumulative discomfort from repeated strong compression. This mechanical substitution allows users to perform multiple measurements throughout the day without discomfort buildup.
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 convenient, accurate, and continuous blood pressure monitoring during the day and night, reducing user discomfort and improving measurement accuracy by accounting for fit and using multiple tactile waveforms.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable capacitive sensor array
Data Source
AI summary
A finger-wearable blood pressure monitor device includes a cuff, a tactile sensor array, and control circuitry. The tactile sensor array is disposed on or adjacent to an inward facing surface of the cuff. The tactile sensor array includes a plurality of sensors. The control circuitry is coupled to the tactile sensor array and includes logic that when executed by the control circuitry causes the finger-wearable blood pressure monitoring device to perform operations. The operations include monitoring, over a first time period, a pressure applied to each of the plurality of sensors by a digital artery of a finger. The operations also include generating a plurality of tactile waveforms in response to monitoring the pressure. Each of the plurality of tactile waveforms corresponds to the pressure applied to a respective one of the plurality of sensors over the first time period. The operations further include estimating blood pressure based, at least in part, on the plurality of tactile waveforms.