Pulse Wave Signal Segmentation for Cardiovascular Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating cardiovascular information, such as blood pressure, from bio-signals are not accurate when the quality of the signal is poor, limiting the effectiveness of wearable devices for continuous monitoring.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that extracts cardiovascular feature values by determining specific points and areas in a pulse wave signal, using a processor to normalize and remove noise, and employing a cardiovascular information estimation model to calculate blood pressure and other cardiovascular metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to estimate cardiovascular information from bio-signals, then the estimation can be performed, but the accuracy deteriorates when signal quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiovascular information estimation accuracyVSAvoidestimation reliability under poor signal conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pulse wave signal into multiple characteristic portions (ascending portion, peak portion, descending portion) and calculates area values for each segment. This segmentation allows the system to focus on specific diagnostically relevant features while being less sensitive to noise in other portions, thereby maintaining accuracy even when overall signal quality is poor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing approaches to different portions of the pulse wave signal based on their local characteristics. By identifying and weighting specific segments (such as the ascending portion for systolic pressure estimation), the method enhances the signal-to-noise ratio for critical measurements while tolerating degradation in other regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If simple area measurement methods are used, then the calculation is simple, but the cardiovascular information estimation accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiovascular information estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pulse wave into distinct segments (ascending, peak, descending portions) and calculates area values for each. This segmentation approach maintains computational simplicity while improving accuracy by focusing on diagnostically significant portions of the waveform, avoiding the need for complex global signal processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the raw pulse wave signal into derived parameters (area values of different portions, ratios between portions) that enhance the relationship between signal characteristics and cardiovascular metrics. This parameter transformation improves estimation accuracy without requiring complex device hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for stable and accurate estimation of cardiovascular information even with poor signal quality, enhancing the reliability of wearable devices for continuous monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a pulse wave signal obtainer including: a light source configured to emit light onto the object; and a photodetector configured to obtain the pulse wave signal by receiving the light returning from the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmographic effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3669763B1Apparatus and method for estimating cardiovascular information
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3669763B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669763B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3669763B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for estimating cardiovascular information. The apparatus for estimating cardiovascular information may include: a memory storing instructions; a processor configured to execute the instructions to: obtain a pulse wave signal of an object; determine an area under the pulse wave signal and above a reference point on the pulse wave signal; and estimate cardiovascular information of the object based on the determined area of the pulse wave signal.