Optical Waveguide Lens for Shallow Arterial Bed Biosensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Poor Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) are inadequate, as pharmacological approaches are contraindicated for hypertensive patients, mechanical interventions are inconvenient, and lifestyle modifications are hard to adhere to, leading to a need for an effective, patient-friendly solution to prevent dizziness and falls.
Innovation Solution
A wearable biosensing system using a biometric sensor and processor to non-invasively measure brain blood flow, providing real-time alerts and coaching through a wearable device positioned near the ear to monitor and manage CBF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological approaches are used to increase blood pressure, then cerebral blood flow may improve, but it is contraindicated for hypertensive patients already taking blood pressure medications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological interventions with a mechanical/optical sensing system. A wearable biometric sensor uses photoplethysmography to detect blood flow waveforms in superficial temporal arteries, providing real-time monitoring of cerebral blood flow without requiring medication that could be harmful to hypertensive patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system between the cause of poor cerebral blood flow and its effects. The biometric sensor detects blood flow waveforms and the processor analyzes them to provide early warning signs, allowing preventive action before syncope or falls occur, rather than relying on medications that may have harmful side effects.
2Reliability
If mechanical interventions such as compression socks or airbag belts are used, then cerebral blood flow may improve, but they have limited adoption due to daily inconvenience of donning and doffing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cumbersome mechanical compression devices with a lightweight optical sensing system. The wearable biometric sensor continuously monitors blood flow waveforms without requiring the user to don or doff compression garments, eliminating the daily inconvenience while maintaining the ability to improve cerebral blood flow through real-time feedback and alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic monitoring and alerting without requiring user intervention. The biometric sensor continuously detects blood flow waveforms and the processor automatically analyzes them to generate alerts when poor cerebral blood flow is detected, eliminating the need for users to manually apply or adjust compression devices.
3Reliability
If lifestyle modifications such as increased exercise and dietary changes are implemented, then cerebral blood flow may improve, but behavior change is burdensome for patients to adhere to and hard to quantify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through continuous monitoring of blood flow waveforms. The processor analyzes the waveforms and provides immediate alerts when poor cerebral blood flow is detected, allowing patients to see the direct impact of their actions (or lack thereof) on their cerebral blood flow, making it easier to adhere to lifestyle modifications by providing quantifiable, real-time evidence of their effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces difficult-to-quantify lifestyle modifications with an objective, quantifiable optical sensing system. The biometric sensor provides continuous, measurable data on cerebral blood flow through blood flow waveform analysis, replacing the subjective and hard-to-quantify nature of lifestyle changes with precise, real-time measurements that are easy to monitor and adhere to.
4Measurement precision
If a wearable biometric sensor is positioned near the ear to monitor blood flow, then real-time detection of poor cerebral blood flow is achieved, but the device must be precisely positioned to detect shallow arterial beds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting a specific anatomical location - the shallow arterial beds near the ear (superficial temporal arteries). The biometric sensor is positioned at this specific location to optimize detection of blood flow waveforms, leveraging the local anatomical characteristics to achieve high measurement precision without requiring complex positioning mechanisms throughout the entire device.
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 effectively prevents presyncope, syncope, and falls by delivering immediate alerts and coaching, improving patient safety and reducing medical costs associated with falls.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide including a light source, a lens, and an exit surface
Implementation Method 2
directing a majority of the photons emitted by the light source within the exit angle range
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed wearable photoplethysmography system is designed to be placed at a target location on a user. The system includes an emitter configured to emit photons, a photodiode, and a lens. The lens is designed to direct a majority of the photons within a specific exit angle range. When placed at the target location, the lens positions the emitter such that an arterial bed is within a path defined by the exit angle range. The arterial bed is located at a specific depth from the skin surface. The photons emitted by the emitter penetrate the user's tissue, interact with the arterial bed, and are then redirected to and detected by the photodiode.