Electronic Sphygmomanometer Cuff Site Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic sphygmomanometers may inaccurately measure blood pressure due to differences between left and right arm measurements, leading to potential errors in diagnosis unless consistently measured on the same arm, and lack guidance for determining the correct measurement site.

Innovation Solution

An electronic sphygmomanometer with a cuff for either arm, a processing unit to specify a recommended site, a detection unit to identify the attached site, and a notification unit to ensure the correct site is used for measurement, adjusting the cuff pressure and storing blood pressure values with site identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sphygmomanometer allows measurement on either left or right arm, then the device has high adaptability and ease of operation, but measurement precision deteriorates due to potential errors from inconsistent measurement sites

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement site flexibilityVSAvoidblood pressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary detection of the arm insertion side and automatically determines the appropriate measurement site before measurement begins. The detection unit identifies whether the left or right arm is inserted, and the determination unit pre-determines the correct measurement site based on this information, ensuring consistent and accurate measurements before the actual measurement process starts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements feedback by displaying information about the detected arm insertion side and the determined measurement site to the user. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify whether the correct arm is inserted and understand which site should be measured, enabling them to correct any positioning errors before measurement begins, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the sphygmomanometer detects and notifies the recommended measurement site, then measurement precision improves through consistent site identification, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and processing units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement site consistencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-service by automatically detecting the arm insertion side and determining the appropriate measurement site without requiring manual input or complex user intervention. The detection unit autonomously identifies the inserted arm, and the determination unit automatically selects the correct measurement site, reducing the need for complex user guidance systems while maintaining high measurement precision through consistent site identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces complex mechanical or manual site determination mechanisms with electronic detection and processing units. Instead of relying on mechanical indicators or manual positioning, the system uses sensors and processing circuits to detect arm insertion and calculate the appropriate measurement site, achieving precise site identification through electronic means rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the sphygmomanometer provides guidance notification for correct measurement site, then ease of operation improves by guiding users, but loss of time increases due to additional notification and verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser guidance capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs the determination of the measurement site as a preliminary action that occurs automatically when the device is activated, before the user needs to begin measurement. By pre-determining the correct site based on detected arm insertion, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual guidance conversations or verification steps, providing instant information to the user about the correct measurement site without adding significant preparation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces time-consuming manual guidance procedures with automated electronic detection and notification systems. Instead of requiring extended verbal guidance or manual positioning assistance, the system uses sensors to detect arm insertion and automatically displays the correct measurement site information, significantly reducing the time required for user guidance while maintaining high ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8684940B2Electronic sphygmomanometer with recommended cuff site attachment detection

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic sphygmomanometer acquires a patient ID and recommended site information read from an ID card before measurement. The recommended site indicating the site to be attached to a cuff of a left site or a right site is thereby specified for every person to be measured (patient ID). Thereafter, the site to be attached to the cuff is guided by notifying the specified recommended site to the person to be measured.