Scale-Based Cardio-Physiological Data Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring physiological characteristics, such as blood oxygen level and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements, often require specialty equipment and medical professionals, making them costly and burdensome for widespread application.
Innovation Solution
A platform apparatus and external circuitry that use a weighing scale to collect cardio-physiological measurements, process the data, and provide clinical indications, while controlling access to ensure that only authorized medical professionals can access regulated health information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialty equipment and medical professionals are used to monitor physiological characteristics, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional weight measurement and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement. By integrating ECG electrodes into the scale platform, the device can simultaneously measure body weight and cardiac electrical activity, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ECG measurement function with the weight scale platform. The electrodes are integrated into the scale surface, and the processing circuitry handles both weight sensor data and ECG electrode signals, merging two medical measurement functions into a single unified device that reduces complexity and cost
2Measurement precision
If specialty equipment and medical professionals are used to monitor physiological characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scale enables users to perform self-monitoring of their own physiological parameters. By standing on the scale and placing feet on the electrodes, users can automatically obtain weight and ECG measurements without requiring medical professional intervention, making the device easy to operate and accessible for regular home use
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the scale to serve both professional medical measurement needs and consumer self-monitoring needs, bridging the gap between clinical-grade accuracy and home-use accessibility
3Reliability
If access to clinical indications is controlled through physician prescription, then reliability of health information is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system is dynamic rather than static. The scale can operate in different modes: providing immediate access to basic health data for general users, and providing access to detailed clinical indications to physicians or prescription-authorized users. The system adapts access levels based on user identity and authorization status, balancing reliability requirements with operational convenience
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 remote, cost-effective monitoring of physiological parameters with controlled access to sensitive health data, allowing physicians to provide diagnoses and advice without exposing patients to the costs of specialty equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrodes integrated with the platform for engaging the user with electrical signals and collecting signals indicative of the user's identity and cardio-physiological measurements
Implementation Method 2
The processing circuitry is arranged with (e.g., electrically integrated with or otherwise in communication) the force-sensor circuitry and the plurality of electrodes and configured to process data obtained by the data-procurement circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus including a scale and external circuitry. The scale includes a platform, and data-procurement circuitry for collecting signals indicative of the user's identity and cardio-physiological measurements. The scale includes processing circuitry to process data obtained by the data-procurement circuitry, generate cardio-related physiologic data, and send user data to the external circuitry. The external circuitry validates the user data as concerning a specific user, correlates the user data with a user profile of the user, provides a clinical indication using the user data, and controls access to the user profile by allowing access to the clinical indication and the user data to or by a physician and not allowing access to the clinical indication to the user until the user provides an input indicating interest in the clinical indication and the physician provides a prescription for the clinical indication.