Non-Contact RF Physiological Monitoring via Electromagnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring sleep patterns, breathing, heart rate, and motion during sleep are invasive, costly, and require physical contact, limiting their convenience and effectiveness for home-based monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact apparatus and system that uses radio-frequency signals to monitor motion, breathing, and heart rate without physical contact, incorporating a sensor unit and a monitoring and display unit that can be integrated into a single stand-alone unit, with capabilities for processing, displaying, and communicating physiological information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional contact-based monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision of physiological parameters is improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate due to invasive procedures and physical contact requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensing systems with electromagnetic field-based sensing. The system uses electromagnetic fields to detect physiological parameters such as respiration rate, heart rate, and body movement without requiring physical contact with the user's body, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving ease of operation and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the monitoring system and the user's body. The electromagnetic field acts as a mediator that can penetrate through bedding and clothing to detect physiological signals without direct contact, resolving the contradiction between needing accurate measurements and maintaining user comfort and convenience.
2Reliability
If contact-based sensor systems are used, then reliability of physiological data is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to multiple contact points and signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical contact-based sensor arrays with a simpler electromagnetic field-based sensing system. By using electromagnetic fields that can penetrate bedding and clothing, the system reduces the number of contact points and sensors needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving data reliability through contactless detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic field-based sensor system is designed to detect multiple physiological parameters (respiration rate, heart rate, body movement) simultaneously through a single sensing mechanism, reducing overall system complexity compared to multiple specialized contact sensors while maintaining reliable data collection across different parameters.
3Measurement precision
If traditional sleep monitoring methods are used, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for hospital stay and professional monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hospital-based mechanical monitoring equipment with contactless electromagnetic sensing that can be used in home environments. The system maintains diagnostic accuracy by detecting key sleep parameters such as respiration patterns, heart rate variability, and body movements through electromagnetic fields, while enabling convenient home monitoring without requiring hospital stays or complex professional equipment setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to conduct their own sleep monitoring at home without requiring professional medical staff or complex equipment setup. The contactless nature of the electromagnetic sensing allows individuals to simply place the device near their sleeping area and automatically collect sleep data, making professional-grade sleep monitoring accessible and easy to operate for普通 users.
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 convenient and low-cost monitoring of sleep patterns and physiological parameters, providing accurate and non-invasive data on breathing rate, heart rate, and motion, which can be used to diagnose sleep disorders and improve sleep quality.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact apparatus and system that uses radio-frequency signals to monitor motion, breathing, and heart rate without physical contact
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method monitors the motion, breathing, heart rate and sleep state of subjects, e.g., humans, in a convenient, non-invasive/non-contact, and low-cost fashion. More particularly, the motion, breathing, and heart rate signals are obtained through processing applied to a raw signal obtained in a non-contact fashion, typically using a radio-frequency sensor. Periods of sleep disturbed respiration, or central apnea can be detected through analysis of the respiratory signal. The mean heart rate, and derived information, such as the presence of cardiac arrhythmias can be determined from the cardiac signal. Motion estimates can be used to recognize disturbed sleep and periodic limb movements. The sleep state may be determined by applying a classifier model to the resulting streams of respiratory, cardiac and motion data. A means for display of the sleep state, respiratory, cardiac, and movement status may also be provided.