Remote Photoplethysmography System for Unobtrusive Physiological Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current remote monitoring techniques for physiological parameters require obtrusive contact measurements, which are unpleasant and inconvenient, especially for long-term monitoring in neonates and infants, and often involve multiple signal transformation steps and noise-affected data.

Innovation Solution

A remote photoplethysmographic monitoring system that processes remotely detected electromagnetic radiation using an interface for receiving video data with three color channels (R, G, B), an image processor for detecting relative channel signal strengths, and a symptom analyzer to derive health indicators like jaundice and suffocation risk without requiring multiple signal transformations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact measurement sensors are attached to the subject, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to obtrusive contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological parameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring convenience for subject
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with optical detection systems that capture electromagnetic radiation (light) reflected from or transmitted through the subject. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining measurement capability through optical properties of tissues and blood

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electromagnetic radiation (light) as an intermediary medium to transfer information about physiological parameters without direct contact. The light interacts with blood and tissues, carrying information about oxygen saturation, heart rate, and other parameters that can be detected remotely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple signal transformation steps are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological parameter extraction accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single integrated system that captures electromagnetic radiation across different wavelengths simultaneously. The system processes multiple physiological parameters (oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate) from a single set of optical measurements, reducing the need for separate sensors and signal processing chains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional monitoring system that can extract multiple physiological parameters from the same optical signal. The system simultaneously determines oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and other parameters without requiring separate dedicated sensors or processing paths for each parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables unobtrusive, long-term monitoring of physiological parameters by extracting health symptoms from remotely detected electromagnetic radiation, reducing the need for contact sensors and providing accurate indicators for conditions like jaundice and suffocation risk without noise-affected data processing.

Implementation Method 1

the reflected light is influenced by blood absorption and tissue scattering properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the reflected light is influenced by blood absorption and tissue scattering properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a photodetector to convert the intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3030137B1System and method for extracting physiological information from remotely detected electromagnetic radiation
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3030137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3030137B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3030137B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and a method for extracting physiological information indicative of at least one health symptom from remotely detected electromagnetic radiation. The device comprises an interface (20) for receiving a data stream comprising remotely detected image data representing an observed region comprising at least one subject of interest (12), wherein the image data comprises wavelength-dependent image information, wherein the wavelength-dependent image information is composed of at least two color channels (96, 98, 100) representative of respective wavelength portions; an image processor (22) for detecting channel signal strength information for at least two of the at least two color channels (96, 98, 100); and a data comparison unit(24) for comparing detected channel signal strengths with respective reference values.