Mobile PPG-ECG Sensing for Blood Pressure and Hydration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device solutions can only obtain either photoplethysmography (PPG) or electrocardiography (ECG) measurements, lacking the capability to measure both simultaneously, and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for hydration assessment requires professional equipment and is not portable.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with integrated sensors and processors that can obtain both PPG and ECG measurements, and perform bioelectric impedance analysis to determine blood pressure and hydration levels, respectively, using a portable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing mobile device solutions are used, then either PPG or ECG measurements can be obtained, but not both simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PPG sensors (optical sensors for blood volume measurement) and ECG sensors (electrodes for electrical activity measurement) into a single mobile device. This merging of previously separate measurement capabilities into one integrated device allows simultaneous acquisition of both PPG and ECG data, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed with multi-functional sensors that can perform multiple measurement types. The device incorporates both optical sensors for PPG and electrical electrodes for ECG, enabling it to serve multiple physiological measurement functions within a single platform, thereby achieving universal adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If professional BIA equipment is used, then accurate hydration assessment can be obtained, but the equipment is not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential BIA measurement function from complex professional equipment and implements it using simplified electrodes and signal processing algorithms within a mobile device. By taking out only the core functionality needed for hydration assessment and removing unnecessary complexity, the system achieves accurate measurements in a portable form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in electrical impedance measurements to assess hydration levels. By measuring impedance parameters through electrodes and analyzing their variations, the device can determine hydration status without requiring the complex mechanical or chemical systems of traditional BIA equipment, thereby achieving both accuracy and portability.
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 simultaneous measurement of blood pressure and hydration levels on a mobile device, providing accurate and portable physiological and hydration data for users.
Implementation Method 1
Typical pulse-measuring devices use either photoplethysmography (PPG) or electrocardiography (ECG) to measure a user's pulse
Implementation Method 2
Typical pulse-measuring devices use either photoplethysmography (PPG) or electrocardiography (ECG) to measure a user's pulse
Implementation Method 3
A user's hydration state may be determined by measuring a total body water amount using a bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.