Insole Electrode Array for Cardiovascular Signal Noise Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home-use devices for monitoring cardiovascular health, such as pneumatic cuffs, are not user-friendly, uncomfortable, and do not promote regular use, and they are limited in the types of signals they can acquire and process to generate composite features relevant to different cardiovascular health states.
Innovation Solution
A device with an array of electrodes that generates electrical signals, extracts noise signals, and processes them to produce de-noised signals, combined with force sensors to detect weight and other forces, which are then analyzed by a computing subsystem to monitor cardiovascular health and trigger preventative interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pneumatic cuffs are used for blood pressure monitoring, then measurement capability is provided, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic cuff system with an electronic sensor-based system. Force sensors and electrodes are integrated into a flat insole, eliminating the need for mechanical inflation and deflation mechanisms. This substitution maintains measurement capability while dramatically improving user comfort and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: ECG monitoring through electrodes, force sensing for weight and pressure detection, and cardiovascular parameter analysis. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices, improving both convenience and comprehensive health monitoring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple signal types are acquired and processed, then cardiovascular health monitoring capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ECG signal processing with force sensor data processing into a unified cardiovascular analysis system. The computing subsystem integrates multiple signal types (electrical and mechanical) to generate composite cardiovascular features, reducing overall system complexity through consolidation while enhancing monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic signal filtering, noise reduction, and cardiovascular parameter extraction without requiring manual intervention. The computing subsystem autonomously processes the raw signals from electrodes and force sensors, generating meaningful health metrics automatically, which simplifies the user experience despite the sophisticated processing occurring in the background.
3Reliability
If signal-to-noise ratio is improved through processing, then measurement reliability improves, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal conditioning and noise filtering at the hardware level through carefully designed electrode configurations and force sensor placements. By pre-processing signals in the acquisition stage rather than requiring extensive post-processing, the system maintains high reliability while minimizing processing time and computational burden.
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
The device effectively acquires and processes cardiovascular signals like ECG, IPG, and BCG, improving signal-to-noise ratios and enabling regular monitoring of cardiovascular health, promoting adherence to health monitoring regimens and early detection of abnormal states.
Implementation Method 1
an array of electrodes generates one or more electrical signals from a user
Implementation Method 2
force sensors in mechanical communication with the surface for detecting user weight and other forces
Data Source
AI summary
A device including an array of electrodes generates one or more electrical signals from a user, extracts one or more noise signals, and generates one or more de-noised electrical signals upon processing the electrical signal(s) with the noise signal(s). The array of electrodes is coupled to a surface of the device, where the device also includes force sensors in mechanical communication with the surface for detecting user weight and other forces. The device can be configured to generate electrical signals from different subportions of the array of electrodes and to extract noise signals from different subportions of the array of electrodes, where the subportion(s) for electrical signal generation may or may not overlap with the subportion(s) of electrodes for noise signal extraction.