Optical Blood Pressure Measurement via OCT Refractive Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring blood pressure, such as sphygmomanometer cuffs, provide non-continuous and error-prone measurements, limited to specific locations on the body and dependent on hard-to-estimate physiological factors, making them impractical for continuous monitoring by non-experts in various settings.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement system using existing OCT or other optical modalities for external measurement of blood pressure in vessels, converting optical data into clinical parameters like systolic and diastolic pressure, utilizing electro-magnetic radiation to detect refractive index changes in blood vessels, and correlating these changes with pressure data, allowing for minimal location limitations and software-based implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sphygmomanometer cuff is used for blood pressure measurement, then measurement can be obtained, but measurement is non-continuous and provides only average values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sphygmomanometer cuff system with an optical measurement system using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The OCT system uses low coherence interferometry to measure scattering as a function of depth, enabling continuous, high-speed beat-to-beat blood pressure measurements without the mechanical constraints of traditional cuffs.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system enables continuous blood pressure monitoring by continuously capturing optical signals from the vessel wall. The system maintains continuous measurement capability through ongoing interferometric detection, eliminating the intermittent nature of manual cuff measurements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sphygmomanometer cuff is used, then blood pressure can be measured, but measurement is restricted to specific locations on the body
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT-based optical measurement system is designed to measure blood pressure at multiple locations on the body by targeting different vessels. The system's ability to measure scattering from the vessel wall allows it to be applied to various vascular sites, providing universal measurement capability across different body locations.
3Measurement precision
If traditional optical methods like Photoplethysmography are used, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but measurement depends on hard-to-estimate physiological factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional optical methods that rely on complex physiological models with a direct optical measurement approach. By using OCT to measure scattering from the vessel wall, the system obtains blood pressure information through physical optical properties rather than indirect physiological correlations, simplifying the measurement model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical scattering as an intermediary measurement that directly relates to blood pressure. Instead of relying on complex physiological intermediaries like arterial wall elasticity or pulse wave characteristics, the system uses optical scattering properties as a direct mediator between the optical field and blood pressure, simplifying the measurement relationship.
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 accurate, high-speed beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring at multiple body locations, reducing errors and location restrictions, facilitating non-invasive, expert-independent measurements in clinical and non-clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing electro-magnetic radiation to detect refractive index changes in blood vessels
Implementation Method 2
Optical Coherence Tomography ('OCT'), including Fourier Domain OCT, including but not limited to Optical Frequency Domain Imaging ('OFDI'), Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography ('SS-OCT'), and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography ('SD-OCT')—some of which are described in described in International Patent Application PCT/US2004/029148, filed Sep. 8, 2004 which published as International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/047813 on May 26, 2005
Implementation Method 3
utilize low coherence interferometry and/or optical frequency domain interferometry procedures to measure scattering as a function of depth
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary apparatus and method for obtaining information for at least one structure can be provided. For example, it is possible to forward at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one structure which is external from the apparatus. At least one second electro magnetic radiation provided from the at least one structure (which is based on the first electro-magnetic radiation(s)) can be detected. It is also possible to determine at least one characteristic of the structure(s) based on the second electro-magnetic radiation(s), and obtain data relating to a pressure of at least one portion of the structure(s) based on the characteristic(s).