Ultrasonic Sensor Patch for Continuous Cuffless Blood Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure measurement technologies, including invasive and non-invasive methods, are inaccurate for hypertensive patients, especially when used outside clinical settings, and lack the capability for continuous monitoring, which is crucial for managing hypertension.
Innovation Solution
A continuous, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system utilizing an ultrasonic sensor patch with piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs) to measure vessel diameter and calibrate using an inflatable cuff and ultrasonic Doppler sensor to determine cuffless blood pressure, achieving accuracy comparable to invasive catheter systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional oscillometric blood pressure devices are used for home monitoring, then the device can be used in a home environment, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates for hypertensive patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional oscillometric mechanical measurement system with an ultrasonic-based system that measures blood pressure by detecting changes in ultrasonic signal characteristics (Doppler shift, attenuation) through the vessel wall, eliminating the need for cuffs and mechanical compression while improving accuracy for hypertensive patients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ultrasonic transducer as an intermediary that contacts the vessel wall to directly measure blood pressure through acoustic wave propagation, serving as a mediator between the measurement system and the blood pressure parameter, thereby achieving accurate continuous monitoring without traditional cuffs
2Measurement precision
If invasive blood pressure monitoring is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and patient compliance deteriorate due to hospital setting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex invasive monitoring system by using a simple ultrasonic transducer that can be placed on the skin over the vessel, removing the need for surgical insertion, catheters, and hospital settings while maintaining accurate continuous measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the monitoring system to be self-contained and wearable, with the ultrasonic sensor patch that can be applied to the patient's body and continuously monitor blood pressure without requiring external invasive equipment or hospital infrastructure, thereby improving patient compliance
3Device complexity
If intermittent spot check measurements are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of data collected deteriorates insufficiently for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous blood pressure measurement by continuously monitoring ultrasonic signal characteristics from the vessel wall, providing uninterrupted data streams throughout the day and night, thereby collecting sufficient quantity of data for effective hypertension treatment while keeping the device relatively simple
4Measurement precision
If continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring is implemented, then measurement accuracy and data quantity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ultrasonic transducer, signal processing unit, and power source into an integrated wearable patch that can be continuously applied to the vessel, combining multiple functions into a single compact device that achieves continuous accurate monitoring without excessive 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, continuous blood pressure monitoring at home or ambulatory settings, enhancing patient compliance and data collection for improved hypertension management.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer located externally on a body part of the wearer and in a vicinity of a vessel
Implementation Method 2
piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs)
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic Doppler sensor configured to determine a velocity of blood flow within the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous, non-invasive, blood pressure monitoring system for determining a blood pressure measurement for a wearer is provided. The system has accuracy close to that of an invasive catheter transducer system for continuous blood pressure measurement. The system includes an ultrasonic sensor patch, a processor, and a memory. The patch includes an ultrasonic transducer located externally on a body part of the wearer and in a vicinity of a vessel that is configured to determine a diameter of the vessel. The patch also includes a power component. Further, the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to calculate a cuffless blood pressure measurement for the wearer based on the diameter of the vessel as determined by the transducer and transmit the cuffless blood pressure measurement to a host computer via a network. A method for continuous, non-invasive, blood pressure measurement is also provided.