Optical Blood Pressure Measurement Using Transparent Cuff and Laser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure measurement methods, especially for home use, lack accuracy and require trained personnel, with optical blood pressure sensors showing minimal market adaptation due to mechanical interference and non-uniform pressure application.
Innovation Solution
A system using an optical blood motion sensor with a gas-sealable inflatable cuff and a rigid restrictor to apply pressure uniformly, allowing non-contact measurement of blood flow through laser light passing through transparent components, enabling accurate measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical blood motion sensor is used for non-contact measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but mechanical interference from direct contact is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact between the sensor and biological tissue with an optical measurement system. The optical blood motion sensor detects blood flow through laser light scattering without physically touching the tissue, thereby eliminating mechanical interference while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser light as an intermediary between the measurement system and the biological tissue. The light interacts with moving red blood cells to detect blood flow characteristics without requiring direct mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between contactless measurement and measurement accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid restrictor is used to apply uniform pressure, then pressure distribution homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the cuff rigid (the restrictor sections) while keeping other portions flexible. This localized rigidity ensures uniform pressure distribution at critical measurement points without requiring the entire cuff to be rigid, thus balancing pressure uniformity with device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff is segmented into rigid restrictor portions and flexible connecting sections. This segmentation allows the rigid parts to enforce uniform pressure distribution while the flexible parts adapt to the contour of the body part, reducing overall device complexity compared to a fully rigid structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transparent components are used in the cuff, then optical measurement is enabled, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the cuff transparent (the restrictor sections where optical measurement occurs) while keeping other portions opaque and potentially stronger. This localized transparency enables optical measurement without compromising the overall structural integrity of the cuff.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff utilizes composite construction combining transparent materials (for optical measurement regions) with opaque structural materials. This composite approach allows the transparent sections to enable laser light transmission for blood flow detection while the opaque sections provide structural support and strength.
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
This approach allows for accurate and easy-to-use blood pressure measurement by correlating internal pressure with blood motion signals, reducing mechanical interference and improving measurement accuracy, suitable for home use.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted by the laser is scattered by the biological tissue after passing through both the interior of the gas-sealable inflatable chamber and the FOT section of the inner ring; the tissue-scattered laser light is received by the light detector
Implementation Method 2
operating a laser and a light detector so that: i. light emitted by the laser is scattered by the biological tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of optically measuring systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure of a mammal having biological tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system comprises an optical blood motion sensor, a gas-sealable inflatable cushion having a flexible and transparent (FOT) barrier section, and an optical blood motion sensor comprising a laser. When pressure (e.g. at least systolic pressure) illuminates the tissue, laser light may pass en route to the tissue through the FOT sealing barrier section of the gas-sealable inflatable cushion as well as cushion interior. In some embodiments, a rigid restrictor comprising an optically transparent section is provided, and laser light also passes through the optically transparent section of the rigid restrictor en route to the biological tissue.