Pulse Wave Measuring Apparatus Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulse wave measuring apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting pressure levels due to the limitations of large and costly syringe pumps, which cause discomfort and are difficult to power during emergencies, and struggle with quick pressure reduction and maintenance of optimal pressure for precise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A pulse wave measuring apparatus with a pressure adjusting unit that includes a gas container of constant capacity and a state changing unit, allowing for transitions between gas holding, isolating, and discharging states to finely adjust pressure levels using a three-port valve, enabling precise control of pressure reduction and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a syringe pump is used to adjust pressure, then pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas container is divided into a main chamber and a small-capacity isolation chamber. By segmenting the gas storage system, the patent achieves fine pressure control through controlled discharge of small gas volumes from the isolation chamber, replacing the need for a complex syringe pump mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from continuous pressure adjustment (syringe pump) to discrete pressure steps by controlling the opening/closing of the opening/closing valve. This allows precise pressure control through parameter changes in the gas discharge process rather than mechanical displacement.
2Measurement precision
If a syringe pump is used to adjust pressure, then pressure control precision is improved, but apparatus size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the gas container into main and isolation chambers, the patent creates a compact pressure control system. The small-capacity isolation chamber serves as a fine-adjustment reservoir, dramatically reducing the overall apparatus size compared to a syringe pump while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential pressure control function from the bulky syringe pump mechanism and implements it through a simplified valve-controlled gas discharge system. This extraction eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while retaining the core functionality of precise pressure adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If air is exhausted very slowly from the air bag, then pressure reduction precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic opening and closing of the opening/closing valve to achieve stepwise pressure reduction. This periodic action allows the system to quickly reduce pressure in controlled increments rather than requiring continuous slow exhaustion, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation chamber with small gas capacity provides localized fine-control capability. By concentrating the fine-adjustment function in this small chamber, the system can rapidly discharge precise gas volumes to achieve accurate pressure reduction without the time penalty of very-slow-speed exhaustion.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the air bag capacity is reduced for smaller measurement sites, then adaptability is improved, but pressure adjustment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas container segmentation into main and isolation chambers provides a built-in fine-adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows the small-capacity air bag to be easily controlled through the isolation chamber's valve, making pressure adjustment simpler despite the reduced overall capacity needed for smaller measurement sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening/closing valve acts as an intermediary between the gas supply and the small-capacity air bag. This intermediary component simplifies the operation of pressure adjustment by providing a direct control interface, making it easier to manage the reduced gas volume in smaller air bags adapted to different measurement sites.
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 solution allows for easy adjustment and precise control of pressure levels, reducing the apparatus size and cost, while ensuring comfortable operation and quick pressure reduction during emergencies, enabling accurate pulse wave measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a state changing unit configured to change a state of the pressure adjusting unit between a gas holding state for holding an amount of gas in the gas container, a gas isolating state for isolating a partial amount of gas held in the gas container in the gas holding state from a remaining amount of gas, and a gas discharging state for discharging the partial amount of gas isolated in the gas isolating state from the gas container
Implementation Method 2
a pressure adjusting unit having a gas container of a constant capacity for adjusting the level of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor using pressure of gas in the gas container
Data Source
AI summary
A pressing cuff presses a pressure sensor above an artery. The level of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor is changed while the pulse wave is measured based on information about the pressure from the pressure sensor. In order to adjust the level of the applied pressure using the pressure of gas in the pressing cuff, a three-port valve and a two-port valve are controlled so that the connection is changed to establish a state of holding the amount of the gas in the pressing cuff. Then, the state is changed to a state of isolating and discharging gas in which a part of the held gas is isolated from the remaining amount of the gas to be discharged. Then, the state is changed to the state of holding the remaining amount of gas in the pressing cuff.