Smartphone Optical Hemodynamic Sensor for Portable Cardiac Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are inadequate for early intervention and remote monitoring, lacking portable and efficient solutions for extracting hemodynamic information.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a smartphone platform with integrated sensors and algorithms, such as Intrinsic Frequency method and sparse time frequency representation, to acquire and analyze hemodynamic waveforms, enabling the calculation of cardiovascular parameters like left ventricular Ejection Fraction, Stroke Volume, and Cardiac Output, and providing user-friendly interfaces for data acquisition and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional diagnostic methods are used for cardiovascular diseases, then medical professionals can obtain hemodynamic information, but the methods are not portable and require hospital visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/invasive diagnostic systems with an optical sensing system using a smartphone camera and LED light source. The camera captures video of the skin surface overlying an artery, and photoplethysmographic signals are extracted optically without mechanical contact or invasion, enabling portable yet reliable cardiovascular diagnosis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system where light from an LED passes through skin tissue and the modulated light is detected by a camera sensor. This optical intermediary enables indirect measurement of hemodynamic parameters through tissue optical properties, providing a non-invasive bridge between external measurement and internal physiological state
2Measurement precision
If invasive monitoring methods are used to obtain hemodynamic data, then accurate measurements can be achieved, but the methods are complex and require medical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex invasive mechanical sensing systems with a simple optical system comprising a standard smartphone camera and LED. Instead of using pressure transducers or catheter-based sensors, the system uses light absorption and scattering changes in tissue to infer hemodynamic parameters, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or surrogate measurement of hemodynamic activity by capturing skin surface video. The photoplethysmographic signal is a optical surrogate that correlates with underlying arterial blood volume changes, allowing indirect but accurate measurement without direct contact with blood vessels
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented for cardiovascular patients, then early detection of acute events is possible, but frequent hospital visits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform self-monitoring using their own smartphone devices. The system is designed for patient autonomy where individuals can independently capture photoplethysmographic signals, process their own data, and track their cardiovascular health without requiring medical professional intervention or hospital resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal smartphone platform already possessed by most people for multiple functions including communication, photography, and now cardiovascular monitoring. By utilizing the smartphone's existing camera and processor, the system eliminates the need for dedicated monitoring equipment, making continuous monitoring convenient and accessible
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 non-invasive, portable, and efficient quantification of cardiovascular physiology, facilitating early diagnosis and monitoring of CVDs, improving patient outcomes by providing accessible and remote health status indicators.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor for the measurement of the arterial pulse waveform... Optical detection may be accomplished by a LED or photodiode combination
Implementation Method 2
Optical detection may be accomplished by a LED or photodiode combination
Implementation Method 3
Optical detection may be accomplished by a LED or photodiode combination
Implementation Method 4
a pulse wave may be recorded via microwaves. A microwave transceiver may be located behind the screen of the mobile communication device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for extracting hemodynamic information, optionally employing portable electronic devices with optional User Interface (UI) features for system implementation. The systems and methods may be employed for acquiring hemodynamic signals and associated electrophysiological data and/or analyzing the former or both in combination to yield useful physiological indicia or results. Such hardware and software is advantageously used for non-invasively monitoring cardiac health.