Physiological Parameter Calculation With Failure-Adaptive Algorithms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional physiological parameter calculation devices, such as pulse oximeters and electrocardiogram examination devices, fail to calculate physiological parameters when failures occur in light emitters or electrodes, leading to incomplete data acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A physiological parameter calculation device that includes a failure sensing mechanism to detect issues in light emitters or electrodes, switching between primary and secondary algorithms to ensure continuous calculation of parameters like SpO2, even when individual emitters fail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional pulse oximeter uses a single set of light emitters to calculate arterial oxygen saturation, then the device structure remains simple, but the system cannot calculate physiological parameters when a failure occurs in any emitter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to calculate physiological parameters under failure conditionsVSAvoidstructure of probe with multiple emitters and algorithms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary failure sensing on all light emitters before using them for physiological parameter calculation. By detecting emitter functionality in advance and preparing alternative calculation algorithms beforehand, the system ensures continuous operation even when failures occur, without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calculation parameters by switching between a first algorithm (using signals from first and second light emitters) and a second algorithm (using signals from third and fourth light emitters) based on failure detection results. This parameter switching allows the system to maintain calculation capability under different operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an electrocardiogram examination device uses a standard 12-lead configuration with multiple electrodes, then comprehensive electrocardiogram information can be acquired, but the device cannot acquire electrocardiogram information when a failure occurs in any electrode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to acquire electrocardiogram information under failure conditionsVSAvoidconfiguration of multiple electrodes and processing systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary failure sensing on all electrodes before electrocardiogram acquisition. By identifying functional electrodes in advance and preparing alternative calculation approaches beforehand, the system ensures continuous electrocardiogram monitoring even when some electrodes fail, avoiding interruption of critical cardiac monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes calculation parameters by switching between a first electrocardiogram calculation method (using signals from all twelve electrodes) and a second calculation method (using signals from a subset of functional electrodes) based on failure detection. This allows maintaining comprehensive electrocardiogram analysis with reduced electrode configurations when failures occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a physiological parameter calculation device switches between multiple algorithms based on failure detection, then continuous parameter calculation is maintained, but the device requires complex failure sensing and algorithm switching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous calculation capabilityVSAvoidfailure sensing section and multiple algorithm system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The failure sensing section performs preliminary detection of emitter functionality before parameter calculation begins. By pre-identifying functional components and pre-selecting appropriate algorithms, the system minimizes the complexity of real-time switching while ensuring continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the same signal acquisition hardware for both failure detection and physiological parameter calculation. The acquiring section serves dual purposes: detecting emitter functionality and collecting signals for algorithmic processing, thereby reducing the need for separate detection hardware and simplifying the overall system structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3977928B1Physiological parameter calculation device, computer program, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 NIHON KOHDEN CORP

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AI summary

A physiological parameter calculation device includes an acquiring section, a failure sensing section and a calculation section. The acquiring section acquires a plurality of signals corresponding to physiological information of a subject. The failure sensing section senses a failure of the plurality of elements. The calculation section calculates a physiological parameter based on the plurality of signals acquired by the acquiring section and a first algorithm or a second algorithm. The calculation section calculates the physiological parameter: based on the first algorithm when the failure sensing section does not sense a failure in an element for acquiring a signal used for the first algorithm among the plurality of elements, and based on the second algorithm when the failure sensing senses that a failure occurs in an element for acquiring a signal used for the first algorithm among the plurality of elements.