Flexible Sensor Assembly for Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive blood pressure monitoring techniques are limited by their inability to provide continuous, accurate, and reliable measurements due to anatomical incompatibility, tissue injury, frequent recalibration needs, and high costs, particularly in settings requiring multiple measurements at different locations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a conforming frame and flexible support structure that automatically aligns and calibrates itself to the subject's anatomy, incorporating a pressure sensor and electrical interface for direct connection to an actuator, allowing for continuous and repeatable hemodynamic parameter measurement without external alignment tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid array of miniature pressure transducers is applied against the tissue to sense arterial pressure, then pressure measurement capability is achieved, but anatomical incompatibility with continuous tissue contours causes inaccuracies and tissue injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid transducer arrays with a flexible membrane that conforms to the continuous contours of the tissue. This flexible membrane allows accurate pressure sensing while being anatomically compatible, eliminating tissue injury and measurement inaccuracies caused by rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a curved or contoured sensor surface that matches the natural curvature of the tissue and artery. This curvature alignment ensures the sensor follows the anatomical shape, maintaining contact and measurement accuracy without causing pressure points or tissue damage.
2Reliability
If an array of discrete transducers is used to ensure continuous artery coverage, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure sensing function from multiple discrete transducers and concentrates it into a single flexible membrane sensor. This single sensor maintains continuous artery coverage through its flexibility and conformability, eliminating the need for arrays while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: it conforms to various anatomical shapes, maintains continuous contact with the artery, and provides pressure measurement. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized transducers in an array.
3Measurement precision
If manual alignment and positioning methods are used to place the sensor over the artery, then initial placement accuracy is achieved, but repeatability across different locations and operators is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sensor to self-align and self-position over the artery through its flexible conforming properties. The sensor automatically adapts to the anatomical landscape without requiring precise manual alignment, ensuring consistent and repeatable placement accuracy across different operators and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic, flexible sensor that can adapt its shape and position in response to anatomical variations. This dynamic capability allows the sensor to maintain optimal positioning regardless of slight anatomical differences between patients or measurement locations, improving repeatability.
4Measurement precision
If invasive arterial catheters are used to achieve continuous accurate blood pressure monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but invasiveness and associated risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane sensor as an intermediary between the external environment and the artery. This non-invasive intermediary transmits arterial pressure signals to external monitoring equipment without requiring penetration of the skin or insertion of catheters, eliminating surgical risks while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheter system with a non-invasive flexible membrane sensor system. The membrane sensor detects pressure changes through tissue coupling without mechanical intrusion, substituting the invasive mechanical catheter approach with a non-invasive sensing mechanism.
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 accurate, continuous, and cost-effective non-invasive blood pressure monitoring with reduced tissue injury and increased repeatability across different measurement locations, facilitating easy transport and comparison of readings.
Implementation Method 1
The transducers each directly sense the mechanical forces in the underlying subject tissue, and each is sized to cover only a fraction of the underlying artery.
Implementation Method 2
A sensor assembly with a conforming frame and flexible support structure that automatically aligns and calibrates itself to the subject's anatomy
Implementation Method 3
coupled to an actuator adapted to control movement of the sensor element
Data Source
AI summary
Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.