Mobile Plethysmographic Device for PAD Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of a simple, consistent, and reliable method for diagnosing and quantifying Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and premature atrial contraction events, particularly for primary care physicians, and existing methods require cumbersome equipment like ECG devices, leading to underdiagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A mobile plethysmographic device that continuously monitors heart rate and generates photoplethysmograph signals to detect anomalies such as PAD and premature contractions, using an integrated accelerometer for data validation and allowing for manual data storage and wireless data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ECG devices are used to detect premature atrial contraction events, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical ECG system with an optical photoplethysmographic system. The PPG device uses light absorption changes in blood to detect cardiac events, substituting the electrical field-based ECG method with an optical field-based method, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining diagnostic capability for PAC events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the cardiac electrical activity through photoplethysmographic waveforms. The PPG signal replicates the information contained in ECG signals regarding cardiac timing and rhythm events, allowing PAC detection through optical measurement rather than direct electrical measurement
2Measurement precision
If ECG devices are used to detect premature atrial contraction events, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical ECG system with an optical photoplethysmographic system. The PPG device uses light absorption changes in blood to detect cardiac events, substituting the electrical field-based ECG method with an optical field-based method, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining diagnostic capability for PAC events
Solution Approach 2:
The PPG device is designed for self-monitoring by patients in their daily lives. The device automatically detects and records PAC events without requiring clinical operator intervention, enabling patients to self-administer the monitoring and obtain results without specialized medical training
3Measurement precision
If traditional blood pressure monitoring methods are used for PAD diagnosis, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous PPG monitoring to track blood flow and detect PAD events in real-time, replacing intermittent traditional blood pressure measurements. The continuous optical monitoring provides ongoing assessment of peripheral circulation without requiring repeated manual measurements, thereby reducing total diagnostic time while improving detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The PPG device serves multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously - it can detect both cardiac events (PACs, arrhythmias) and peripheral artery disease through the same optical measurement system, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for different diagnostic purposes
4Measurement precision
If traditional blood pressure monitoring methods are used for PAD diagnosis, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The PPG device serves multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously - it can detect both cardiac events (PACs, arrhythmias) and peripheral artery disease through the same optical measurement system, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for different diagnostic purposes
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
Provides a simple, accurate, and convenient means to screen for heart conditions, including PAD and arrhythmias, enabling continuous monitoring and quantitative measurement of blood flow, facilitating early detection and progression analysis.
Implementation Method 1
generating a photoplethysmograph signal... The optical sensor... acquires the waveform data
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile plethysmographic device for detecting a Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”) event or other arrhythmia event is disclosed herein. The mobile plethysmographic device generates a pleth waveform, which is automatically screened by algorithms that measure the waveform to correlate, detect and store aberrations related to heart anomalies. A peripheral artery disease event for a patient is determined based on a quantative measure of blood flow in the extremities based on the differential in amplitude in the pleth signal between the arm and the two lower extremities. The changes in amplitude from the arm and one or both lower extremities can indicate PAD.