Pulse Measurement Apparatus with Elastomer-Isolated Air-Bladders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse diagnosis instruments lack the ability to apply appropriate pressures with different depths to chi, guan, and cun points, resulting in insufficient measurement accuracy and longer measurement times.
Innovation Solution
A physiological signal measurement apparatus featuring a base seat with discrete sub air-bladders and pressure sensors, where elastomers are used between the sub air-bladders and pressure sensors to apply focused pressures to pulse points of varying depths, allowing for accurate sensing of pulse pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single pressure sensor is used for pulse measurement, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient because it cannot apply different pressures to chi, guan, and cun points
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressure sensor is divided into multiple pressure sensors (first, second, and third pressure sensors) corresponding to chi, guan, and cun points respectively. Each pressure sensor is paired with its own air-bladder, allowing independent pressure application and measurement at each pulse point, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different air-bladders are configured with different elasticities to provide locally optimized pressure characteristics for each pulse point. The first air-bladder has different elasticity than the second and third air-bladders, allowing each region to apply the appropriate pressure depth required for accurate measurement at chi, guan, or cun points.
2Measurement precision
If uniform pressure is applied to all pulse points, then the device operation is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates because different pulse points require different pressure depths
Solution Approach 1:
The air-bladders are designed with different elasticities, creating a dynamic pressure application system where each air-bladder automatically adjusts to the appropriate pressure depth for its corresponding pulse point. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for manual pressure adjustment while ensuring optimal measurement conditions at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
Each air-bladder is customized with specific elasticity properties matched to the depth requirements of its corresponding pulse point. The first air-bladder has different elasticity than the second and third air-bladders, providing locally optimized pressure characteristics that simplify operation while improving precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple pressure sensors with different depths are implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the measurement time increases due to sequential measurement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The first, second, and third pressure sensors measure pulse pressures at chi, guan, and cun points simultaneously and continuously, eliminating sequential measurement delays. All three pressure sensors operate in parallel, providing continuous data collection across all pulse points and significantly reducing total measurement time while maintaining high precision through multi-depth sensing.
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
This configuration enhances measurement sensitivity and significantly reduces measurement time by ensuring appropriate pressures are applied to each pulse point, improving data accuracy and collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastomers (101, 102, 103) respectively disposed between each of the plurality of sub air-bladders (201, 202, 203) and a corresponding one of the plurality of pressure sensors (101S, 102S, 103S)
Data Source
AI summary
A physiological signal measurement apparatus, including a base seat, an air-bladder device, a plurality of pressure sensors, and a plurality of elastomers, is provided. The air-bladder device is disposed on the base seat and includes a plurality of sub air-bladders. The pressure sensors are respectively disposed on the sub air-bladders. The elastomers are respectively disposed between the sub air-bladders and the pressure sensors.