Intersecting-Beam Pulse Wave Sensor for Easier Artery Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse wave sensors face challenges in accurately detecting arterial pulses due to difficulties in positioning the detection portion near the radial artery, leading to prolonged setup times and degraded measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A pulse wave sensor design featuring a strain generating body with intersecting beams and strategically placed load portions, combined with strain gauges on opposite beams, allows for easy alignment and reliable detection of pulse waves by measuring resistance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single detection portion is used in conventional pulse wave sensors, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult to position accurately at the radial artery leading to prolonged setup time and degraded measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor divides the detection function into multiple independent detection portions (first detection portion with first strain gauge, second detection portion with second strain gauge) arranged at different positions on the strain generating body. This segmentation allows at least one detection portion to reliably contact the radial artery, improving measurement accuracy while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain generating body serves multiple functions: it generates strain through its flexible structure, supports multiple detection portions at different positions, and enables reliable pulse wave detection even when positioning is challenging. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the single sensor structure capable of handling positioning variations while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple detection portions are added to improve positioning reliability, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple detection portions (first detection portion, second detection portion) with separate strain gauges positioned at different locations on the strain generating body. This segmentation enables reliable positioning by providing multiple contact points, and the modular structure keeps complexity manageable through systematic arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection portions are merged into a single integrated sensor assembly with a common strain generating body. This combining approach improves reliability through multiple detection points while avoiding the complexity of separate independent sensors, as they share the same flexible base structure and can be processed together.
3Ease of operation
If the detection portion is made more flexible to adapt to positioning variations, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The strain generating body is designed with flexible beams that can dynamically adapt to positioning variations on the subject's body. The flexible structure allows the sensor to conform to different anatomical positions while the strain gauges maintain their detection capability, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for ease of operation and precision for measurement accuracy.
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 design facilitates quicker attachment to the subject and improves measurement accuracy by ensuring consistent strain detection across multiple points, reducing the need for precise positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of strain gauges disposed, on the second surface, on one of the beams, with the load portion interposed between the strain gauges in a plan view, and another pair of strain gauges disposed, on the second surface, on an other beam intersecting the beam on which the pair of strain gauges are disposed, with the load portion interposed between the strain gauges of the other pair in a plan view. A pulse wave is detected based on a change in resistance value of each of the strain gauges caused by deformation of the beams.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pulse wave sensor includes a strain generating body including a first surface and a second surface located on an opposite side of the first surface, a plurality of beams provided on the strain generating body and intersecting each other, one or more load portions disposed in respective regions where the beams intersect each other on the first surface, a pair of strain gauges disposed, on the second surface, on a first beam of the beams, with the load portion interposed between the strain gauges in a plan view, and another pair of strain gauges disposed, on the second surface, on a second beam intersecting the first beam, with the load portion interposed between the strain gauges of the other pair in a plan view. A pulse wave is detected based on a change in resistance value of each of the strain gauges caused by deformation of the beams.