Multi-Vital-Sign Smartphone System for EMR Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing multiple vital signs from human subjects are cumbersome due to problematic sensor affixing, recording, and data forwarding processes, and lack efficient communication to medical records systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-vital-sign smartphone system that includes a digital infrared sensor with a Faraday cage, a microprocessor, and a control block, capable of estimating body core temperature by correlating forehead temperature with stored tables, and communicates vital signs via various communication protocols to an electronic medical records system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sensors are used for capturing vital signs, then measurement capability is achieved, but sensor affixing and data management becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vital sign sensors (temperature, heart rate, respiration, SpO2, blood flow, blood pressure, EEG) into a single integrated smartphone system. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor affixing procedures and consolidates data management into one unified interface, directly resolving the cumbersome nature of traditional multi-sensor setups
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone system serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as a temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, respiration detector, SpO2 meter, blood flow analyzer, blood pressure monitor, and EEG recorder. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace numerous specialized sensors, simplifying both attachment and data management processes
2Productivity
If multiple vital signs are captured simultaneously, then comprehensive health monitoring is achieved, but data transmission to medical records system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interoperability manager component that acts as an intermediary between the smartphone sensor system and the electronic medical records (EMR) system. This intermediary handles the complex data transmission, format conversion, and protocol management, shielding the user from complexity while enabling comprehensive vital signs capture and efficient transmission to medical records
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the interoperability manager continuously monitors data transmission status, signal quality, and EMR system responsiveness. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of data sampling rates, error correction, and retransmission protocols, maintaining high productivity in vital signs capture while managing communication complexity
3Measurement precision
If digital infrared sensor with Faraday cage is used for temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a Faraday cage around the digital infrared sensor to block electromagnetic interference and noise that would otherwise degrade temperature measurement accuracy. By converting the potential harm of EM interference into a benefit through shielding, the system achieves high measurement precision while the cage's compact integration minimizes the added structural complexity
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
The system provides accurate and efficient capture and communication of multiple vital signs, including body core temperature, overcoming the limitations of previous technologies by simplifying sensor attachment and data management, and ensuring reliable transmission to medical records.
Implementation Method 1
a digital infrared sensor that is operably coupled to the microprocessor with no analog-to-digital converter being operably coupled between the digital infrared sensor and the microprocessor, the digital infrared sensor including a Faraday cage that surrounds a single thermopile sensor
Implementation Method 2
the digital infrared sensor including a Faraday cage that surrounds a single thermopile sensor
Implementation Method 3
the digital infrared sensor including a Faraday cage that surrounds a single thermopile sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, a multi-vital-sign smartphone system detects multiple vital signs from sensors such as a digital infrared sensor, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor and at least one micro dynamic light scattering (mDLS) sensor, and thereafter in some implementations the vital signs are transmitted to, and stored by, an electronic medical record system.