Rotating Sensor Array for Artery Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily information measurement apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring pressure pulse waves due to the difficulty in maintaining optimal contact with the body region, particularly as the position of the artery changes under pressure, leading to suboptimal measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A pressure pulse wave measurement apparatus featuring a sensor unit with pressure detection elements arranged in a column, a pressing unit to apply pressure, and a rotation control member that rotates the sensor unit about two orthogonal axes, allowing for flexible adjustment to maintain accurate contact with the body region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is pressed against a body region to obtain favorable output, then the measurement accuracy of bodily information is improved, but the position of the artery changes due to the pressing force making it difficult to follow the change
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor group is configured to be movable relative to the body region, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sensor position to track the artery's movement caused by pressing force. This enables the system to maintain optimal contact while adapting to physiological changes during measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the sensor outputs to detect changes in artery position and automatically adjusts the sensor group's position accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures continuous optimal measurement despite the artery moving under pressing force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor group with multiple sensors is used to follow body region movement, then the adaptability to body shape changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor group is divided into multiple independent sensors arranged in a matrix, allowing each sensor to independently detect local conditions. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to body shape variations without requiring a complex mechanical adjustment mechanism for the entire sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor group serves multiple functions: it detects body shape variations, tracks artery position, and provides measurement data for bodily information calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of sensor inclination is required to obtain favorable outputs, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-positioning of the sensor group based on feedback from the sensors themselves. The sensors detect optimal positioning conditions and the system automatically adjusts the sensor group's inclination and position, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
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 enhances the accuracy of pressure pulse wave measurement by enabling the sensor unit to adapt to changes in the artery's position, improving the overall measurement precision and reliability of bodily information.
Implementation Method 1
an element column including a plurality of pressure detection elements that are arranged side by side in one direction is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure pulse wave measurement apparatus includes: a sensor unit in which an element column including a plurality of pressure detection elements that are arranged side by side in one direction is formed; a pressing unit configured to press the sensor unit against a body surface of a living body; and a rotation control member configured to rotate the sensor unit about each of two axes that are orthogonal to a pressing direction of the pressing unit. The rotation control member includes a first member and a second member that are relatively rotated about a rotation axis extending in the pressing direction, and the first member and the second member both include a motion conversion mechanism for converting a rotational motion realized by the first member and the second member being relatively rotated, into a rotational motion of the sensor unit about each of the two axes.