Pulse Wave Detector Housing with Segmented Rigidity for Wrist Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological information measuring devices face challenges in attaching the pressure sensor to the wrist due to the styloid process of the radius, leading to unstable positioning and displacement of the sensor, especially when the housing material has high or low rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A pulse wave detecting device with a housing configuration that includes a rigid portion for the sensor and a flexible portion to accommodate the styloid process, featuring a recess to absorb the process and prevent displacement, enhancing attachability and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is configured by a high rigidity material to stabilize the sensor position, then the sensor position stability is improved, but the housing easily enters an unstable state when contacting the styloid process of the radius

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor position stabilityVSAvoidhousing stability during attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two regions with different rigidity characteristics: a first housing portion with high rigidity to stabilize the sensor position, and a second housing portion with low rigidity to accommodate the styloid process of the radius. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is segmented into multiple portions (first housing portion and second housing portion) with distinct mechanical properties. The first portion maintains sensor stability while the second portion provides flexibility for attachment, resolving the contradiction between overall rigidity and local adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the whole housing is configured by a low rigidity material to avoid instability when contacting the styloid process, then the housing stability during attachment is improved, but the sensor position is easily displaced by external impact or user motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing stability during attachmentVSAvoidsensor position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the housing are assigned different rigidity levels: the first housing portion containing the sensor maintains high rigidity to prevent displacement from external impacts, while the second housing portion has low rigidity to accommodate the styloid process during attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into functionally distinct segments that independently address different requirements: one segment for sensor stability and another for attachment flexibility, eliminating the need to choose between conflicting overall properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the pressure sensor is fixed to the band having low rigidity to improve attachability, then the ease of attachment is improved, but the sensor position is easily displaced after attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidsensor position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the attachment function (performed by the flexible band) from the sensor positioning function (performed by the rigid first housing portion). The band provides ease of attachment while the rigid housing portion maintains sensor position stability, preventing the contradiction from affecting the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first housing portion acts as an intermediary structure between the flexible band and the sensor, isolating the sensor from the positional instability caused by band flexibility while still allowing the band to perform its attachment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device achieves improved attachability and prevents sensor displacement, ensuring accurate pulse wave detection by stabilizing the sensor position and accommodating the styloid process, regardless of wrist shape or external impacts.

Implementation Method 1

a second housing portion which is lower in rigidity than the first housing portion... a region of the housing is configured by at least the second housing portion, the region being contacted with a styloid process of a radius

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a pulse wave detection sensor for detecting a pulse wave from a radial artery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3332700B1Pulse wave detector
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
  • EP3332700B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332700B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332700B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pulse wave detecting device in which the attachability can be improved while preventing the position of a pulse wave detection sensor from being displaced is provided. A pulse wave detecting device which is to be used while being attached to the wrist H of a subject includes a housing 20 which accommodates a pulse wave detector 10 for detecting a pulse wave from the radial artery TD. The housing 20 includes: a first housing portion (1a, 1b), and a second housing portion (2) which is lower in rigidity than the first housing portion. The pulse wave detector 10 is accommodated in the first housing portion (1a). A region 2c of the housing 20 is configured by at least the second housing portion (2), the region being contacted with the styloid process Ta of the radius T of the wrist H in a state where the housing 20 is attached to the wrist.