Pulse Oximeter Contact Pressure Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse oximeters face inaccuracies in measuring arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) due to varying mounting pressures, which are not considered in existing technologies, leading to potential swelling-related measurement issues and overall reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a contact pressure detecting device and an outputting device that adjusts or corrects the signals from light emitters and receivers based on detected contact pressure, allowing for accurate SpO2 measurement by minimizing the influence of mounting pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mounting pressure of the sensor is increased (e.g., due to finger swelling), then the sensor maintains better contact with the living body, but the SpO2 measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse oximeter incorporates a contact pressure detection device that continuously monitors the mounting pressure on the sensor. The detected contact pressure information is fed back to a correction unit that adjusts the SpO2 measurement values in real-time based on the detected pressure level, thereby compensating for pressure-induced measurement errors and maintaining accuracy across varying contact conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by introducing contact pressure as an additional variable. By detecting contact pressure and using it to correct the SpO2 calculation, the system adapts the measurement process to account for pressure variations, transforming a harmful parameter into a compensatory factor that maintains measurement precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting pressure of the sensor varies, then the sensor adapts to different body conditions, but the SpO2 measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pressure detection device provides continuous feedback about the mounting pressure conditions. This feedback enables the correction unit to dynamically adjust measurements based on the current pressure state, allowing the system to adapt to different body conditions (such as swelling or temperature changes) while maintaining measurement accuracy through real-time compensation
3Device complexity
If contact pressure is not considered in SpO2 measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under varying pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pressure detection device acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the sensor and the measurement process. By introducing this intermediate detection layer, the system can identify pressure conditions and trigger appropriate corrections, adding only minimal complexity while significantly improving measurement accuracy under varying pressure conditions
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 solution effectively suppresses the influence of contact pressure, enabling reliable and accurate output of oxygen saturation information, even under varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitter configured to generate first light, a second light emitter configured to generate second light with a different wavelength from that of the first light
Implementation Method 2
a contact pressure detecting device configured to detect a signal associated with contact pressure between said pulse oximeter and the living body
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse oximeter (1, 2) includes a first light emitter (11) configured to generate first light, a second light emitter (12) configured to generate second light with a different wavelength from that of the first light, and a light receiver (13) configured to receive each of first return light of the first light from a living body and second return light of the second light from the living body. The pulse oximeter is provided with: a contact pressure detecting device (14) configured to detect a signal associated with contact pressure between the pulse oximeter and the living body; and an outputting device (100) configured to output information regarding oxygen saturation, on the basis of respective signals outputted from the light receiver due to the first return light and the second return light, and the detected signal associated with the contact pressure.