Pulse Wave Velocity Estimation Using Pressure Sensitive Mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive blood pressure monitoring methods, especially during sleep, are uncomfortable and disrupt sleep quality due to the need for cuff inflation and deflation, highlighting a need for a more unobtrusive and continuous measurement technique.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a pressure sensitive mat to analyze pressure distribution profiles over time, identifying beat locations, determining pulse timing, and estimating pulse wave velocity without the need for on-body sensors, allowing for comfortable and unconstrained monitoring during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cuff-based oscillometry is used for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, then blood pressure can be measured continuously, but sleep quality deteriorates due to repeated cuff inflation and deflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cuff-based oscillometry system with a pressure-sensitive mat system that detects pulse waves through pressure distribution changes. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical cuff inflation and deflation, thereby maintaining continuous monitoring capability while removing the harmful impact on sleep quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure-sensitive mat as an intermediary between the subject and the monitoring system. The mat detects pulse waves through pressure distribution changes without requiring direct contact or constriction of the subject's body, serving as a non-intrusive mediator that enables continuous monitoring without disrupting sleep.
2Measurement precision
If invasive catheterization is used for accurate continuous blood pressure monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the invasive nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical catheterization system with a non-invasive pressure-sensitive mat system. The mat uses pressure distribution sensing to detect pulse waves and derive blood pressure information, achieving continuous monitoring accuracy without requiring invasive procedures, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive mat system enables the subject to be monitored passively without active participation or discomfort. The system automatically detects pulse waves through natural pressure distribution changes during sleep, eliminating the need for subject cooperation or invasive procedures while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If on-body sensors are used for pulse wave detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and subject burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the subject's body by using a pressure-sensitive mat that detects pulse waves through pressure distribution changes. This removes the need for on-body sensors and their associated complexity, while maintaining the ability to accurately detect pulse waves through the mat's pressure sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive mat serves multiple functions: it detects pulse waves for blood pressure monitoring, tracks subject position, and monitors breathing patterns. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate on-body sensors into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure distribution profile of a subject lying on a mat is used to derive a measure of pulse wave velocity. Beat locations are identified where beat pressure signals are identified, and pulse timing information is obtained from the beat locations. By determining a subject posture, the beat locations are mapped to anatomical body locations and arterial path length information is obtained for the anatomical body locations. A pulse wave velocity is then estimated from the pulse timing information and arterial path lengths. This method enables measuring the pulse wave velocity during sleep in a comfortable, easy and unconstrained manner. This is accomplished by analyzing signals from a pressure sensitive surface for example on top of a bed mattress or by embedding a pressure sensitive layer in the mattress.