Sensor Patch for Central Blood Pressure Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating central blood pressure are either invasive, require skilled operators, or produce variable quality measurements, making them unsuitable for broad application scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor patch that combines force measurement and ultrasound imaging capabilities to measure peripheral blood pressure and vessel diameter, using a processor to derive an estimate of central blood pressure through ensemble waveforms and transfer functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force-based measurement (applanation tonometry) is used to measure peripheral pressure, then a peripheral pressure waveform can be obtained, but the measurement requires skilled operators and produces variable quality results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force-based pressure measurement with ultrasound imaging into an integrated system. The sensor patch measures both the force applied to the skin and the underlying vessel diameter simultaneously, allowing correlation between these parameters to improve measurement accuracy and reduce operator dependency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical force-based measurement system with a hybrid system that incorporates ultrasound imaging. This substitution allows objective measurement of vessel diameter changes, reducing the need for operator skill in interpreting force-based signals alone.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasound imaging is used to measure vessel diameter, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but the depth of vessels like carotid artery requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges force-based pressure measurement with ultrasound imaging of the same blood vessel. By correlating the force measurement with the ultrasound-derived vessel diameter, the system can automatically determine pressure waveform without requiring skilled operators to manually optimize ultrasound imaging parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the force measurement from the sensor patch to guide and optimize the ultrasound imaging automatically. The correlation between force and vessel diameter allows the system to self-adjust and reduce dependency on operator expertise.
3Measurement precision
If separate devices are used for force measurement and ultrasound imaging, then each measurement can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates force-based pressure measurement sensors and ultrasound imaging transducers into a single sensor patch. This merging allows both measurements to be taken simultaneously at the same location, simplifying the device while maintaining measurement quality through correlated data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor patch is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a force measurement device and an ultrasound imaging device. This universal design reduces the number of separate devices needed while enabling the correlation between force and vessel diameter measurements.
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 approach provides a non-invasive, robust, and reliable estimation of central blood pressure, improving accuracy and consistency across various situations by integrating force and ultrasound data into a single sensor patch.
Implementation Method 1
measure, in a first mode, a force at the skin (106) of the subject, wherein the force provides an indication of the blood pressure of a peripheral blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
perform, in a second mode, ultrasound imaging on the peripheral blood vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is for estimating the central blood pressure of a subject. The device comprises a sensor patch comprising an array of sensors configured to measure an indication of the blood pressure of a peripheral blood vessel and perform ultrasound imaging of the peripheral blood vessel. The device also comprises a processor configured to obtain a peripheral pressure signal comprising a pressure waveform from the indication of the blood pressure from the sensor patch and derive an image of the peripheral blood vessel from the signals received from the sensor patch. A vessel diameter is determined from the image of the peripheral blood vessel over time comprising a vessel diameter waveform and an estimate of the central blood pressure of the subject is derived from the pressure waveform and/or the vessel diameter waveform.