PPG and LDV Blood Pressure Sensing for Low Vascular Distensibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining blood pressure, particularly systolic and diastolic blood pressure, are inaccurate for individuals with low vascular distensibility, such as the elderly or those with hypertension, and are sensitive to motion and ambient light, limiting their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A system combining photoplethysmography (PPG) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) sensors to provide simultaneous measurements of blood volume and speed, using a model to integrate these signals for improved blood pressure estimation, reducing sensitivity to vascular distensibility and motion artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If PPG sensor is used to measure blood pressure, then the measurement can be obtained non-invasively, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates for individuals with low vascular distensibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-invasive measurementVSAvoidblood pressure measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines PPG sensor data with LDV sensor data to measure both blood volume and blood flow speed simultaneously. This merging of two different sensing approaches compensates for the limitations of PPG alone in individuals with low vascular distensibility, thereby maintaining non-invasive measurement while improving blood pressure measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes from relying solely on blood volume parameters (PPG) to incorporating both blood volume and blood flow speed parameters (LDV). By measuring additional physiological parameters, the system overcomes the reduced sensitivity of PPG in individuals with stiff vessels, where blood volume changes are minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If PPG sensor is used for blood pressure determination, then the device can be simple and portable, but the measurement becomes sensitive to motion and ambient light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement stability against motion and light
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By combining PPG and LDV sensors, the system creates a more robust measurement that is less susceptible to motion and ambient light interference. The LDV component provides complementary information that helps distinguish true physiological signals from artifacts caused by motion or lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If single sensor (PPG) is used for blood pressure measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement accuracy for systolic and diastolic blood pressure is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of sensorsVSAvoidsystolic and diastolic blood pressure accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from PPG and LDV sensors to simultaneously determine both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with improved accuracy. The combination of blood volume and blood flow speed measurements provides sufficient information to extract both pressure parameters, overcoming the limitations of single-sensor approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 combined system provides more accurate blood pressure measurements across a wider range of individuals, including those with low vascular distensibility, by leveraging the complementary strengths of PPG and LDV to enhance measurement robustness and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

information related to a blood volume, e.g. obtained from a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmography: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

information relating to a blood speed, e.g. obtained from a laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser Doppler velocimetry: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4586898B1A system and a method of determining a physiological parameter of a body comprising blood perfused tissue
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SONION NEDERLAND BV
  • EP4586898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4586898B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4586898B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and a method for determining a physiological parameter of a body comprising blood perfused tissue, the system comprising a first sensor configured to receive first radiation from the blood perfused tissue and, based on the received first radiation, provide first information relating to an amount of blood in the tissue, such as from an absorption of the first radiation in the tissue, a second sensor configured to receive second radiation from the blood perfused tissue and, based on the received second radiation, provide second information relating to a speed of blood in the tissue, such as from Doppler shift of the second radiation, a controller configured to determine the physiological parameter from the first information and the second information.