Optical Pulse Wave Sensor for Fine Vessel Function Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for evaluating vascular endothelial function primarily focus on large blood vessels and do not effectively assess the function of arterioles and capillaries.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a pulse wave measurement unit, a peripheral blood pressure index calculation unit, and a vascular endothelial function evaluation unit, which calculates a peripheral blood pressure index related to the steepness of the pulse wave rise and evaluates vascular endothelial function based on this index from the time of vascular occlusion release until a specified evaluation duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor connected to the cuff is used to detect pulse waves, then large blood vessel information is obtained, but fine blood vessel information (arterioles and capillaries) is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary measurement device that detects pulse waves through light absorption changes in the skin, providing information about fine blood vessels (arterioles and capillaries) that cannot be obtained by conventional pressure sensors connected to cuffs
2Reliability
If pulse wave information from large blood vessels is used, then large vessel assessment is achieved, but peripheral blood vessel (arteriole and capillary) function cannot be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor serves as an intermediary that captures subtle changes in light absorption caused by blood volume changes in fine blood vessels, enabling reliable assessment of peripheral blood vessel function and endothelial health that cannot be obtained from large blood vessel measurements alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor system with an optical detection system that uses light absorption changes to measure blood flow in fine vessels, substituting mechanical measurement with optical measurement to access different physiological information
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 system provides an effective evaluation of vascular endothelial function, including information from arterioles and capillaries, by assessing the temporal changes in the peripheral blood pressure index, thereby improving the accuracy of vascular health assessments.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse wave sensor attached to a site farther from the heart than a pressurization site that is pressurized for vascular occlusion
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse wave measurement unit is provided that generates a pulse wave signal based on a measurement result from a pulse wave sensor attached to a site farther from the heart than a pressurization site that is pressurized for vascular occlusion. A peripheral blood pressure index calculation unit calculates a peripheral blood pressure index related to steepness of a rise per beat of the pulse wave signal generated by the pulse wave measurement unit. A vascular endothelial function evaluation unit evaluates vascular endothelial function, based on a calculated value of the peripheral blood pressure index from a time point of vascular occlusion release until an evaluation duration elapses.