Neck-Worn Vital Sign Sensor With Heated PPG and Multi-Waveform Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physiological monitoring systems require multiple machines and are invasive, making them cumbersome and time-consuming for measuring vital signs and hemodynamic parameters, especially in hospital settings, and are not suitable for long-term patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
A neck-worn sensor that non-invasively measures vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiration rate, temperature, and hemodynamic parameters like stroke volume and cardiac output using ECG, IPG, PPG, and PCG waveforms, with a flexible design, heating element for improved perfusion, and wireless transmission to integrate with existing hospital infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional physiological monitoring systems are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple physiological measurement functions (ECG, IPG, PPG, PCG) into a single integrated neck-worn device. The sensor unit integrates electrodes for ECG/IPG measurement, optical sensors for PPG, and microphones for PCG, all within one wearable unit that processes multiple waveforms simultaneously to derive comprehensive physiological parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck-worn sensor serves multiple functions: it measures ECG waveforms for cardiac electrical activity, IPG waveforms for impedance-based hemodynamic parameters, PPG waveforms for blood oxygenation and pulse rate, and PCG waveforms for heart sounds. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate monitoring systems with one universal device.
2Loss of information
If traditional monitoring protocols are used, then comprehensive physiological data is obtained, but time consumption and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous monitoring of all physiological parameters simultaneously rather than sequential measurement. Multiple waveforms are captured continuously in real-time, allowing trends in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, and hemodynamic parameters to be tracked without interruption or repeated application of different measurement techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary processing of multiple waveforms simultaneously. By capturing ECG, IPG, PPG, and PCG signals at the same time and processing them together, the system eliminates the need for sequential measurement protocols and reduces the overall time required to obtain a complete physiological profile.
3Reliability
If disposable electrodes are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but patient comfort and long-term compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible, thin-film electrode structures that conform to the patient's skin and neck contours. The sensor unit itself is designed as a flexible wearable device that can be comfortably positioned around the neck, eliminating the rigidity and discomfort associated with traditional wired electrode systems while maintaining electrical contact quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional adhesive-disposable electrode systems with a reusable, wirelessly connected sensor unit. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated application and removal of adhesive electrodes, reducing skin irritation and discomfort while maintaining reliable signal acquisition through stable wireless communication and integrated sensing.
4Measurement precision
If multiple separate devices are used for different measurements, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation and patient compliance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate measurement devices into one integrated neck-worn unit. The device combines ECG electrodes, IPG measurement circuitry, PPG optical sensors, and PCG microphones into a single wearable platform that simultaneously captures all physiological parameters without requiring the patient to wear or manage multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor unit performs universal physiological monitoring by measuring electrical cardiac activity (ECG), impedance-based hemodynamics (IPG), optical blood volume changes (PPG), and acoustic heart sounds (PCG). This multi-functional capability maintains the precision of specialized measurements while eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.
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 neck-worn sensor simplifies the monitoring process, reduces motion artifacts, and enhances patient compliance by providing continuous, accurate, and comfortable measurement of vital signs and hemodynamic parameters, enabling timely interventions and remote patient monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the patient's chest
Implementation Method 2
A photodetector detects the reflected radiation in the different spectral ranges to generate analog red-PPG and infrared-PPG waveforms
Implementation Method 3
a light source that generates radiation in both the red and infrared spectral ranges
Implementation Method 4
i) a conductive hydrogel that contacts the patient; ii) a Ag/AgCl-coated eyelet that contacts the hydrogel; iii) a conductive metal post that connects the eyelet to a lead wire or cable
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a neck-worn sensor for simultaneously measuring a blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and other vital signs and hemodynamic parameters from a patient. The neck-worn sensor features a sensing portion having a flexible housing that is worn entirely on the patient's chest and encloses a battery, wireless transmitter, and all the sensor's sensing and electronic components. It measures electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, and collectively processes these to determine the vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor that measures PPG waveforms also includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest.