Venous Pressure Measurement Using Pulse Wave Value Ranges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing venous pressure measurement technologies struggle to accurately determine venous pressure in cases where the pressure cannot be uniquely estimated from pulse wave information, leading to challenges in assessing body congestion, particularly in patients with heart failure.

Innovation Solution

A venous pressure measurement device and method that utilize a sensor to obtain pulse wave information and a processing unit to calculate a value range of venous pressure when the pressure is not estimatable, based on the obtained pulse wave information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If venous pressure measurement is performed using pulse wave information, then non-invasive monitoring of body congestion is enabled, but accurate determination becomes impossible when pressure cannot be uniquely estimated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-invasive measurement capabilityVSAvoidvenous pressure determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

When unique venous pressure estimation is not possible from pulse wave information, the system provides a value range (partial information) rather than attempting to provide a single exact value (excessive action). This resolves the contradiction by delivering useful clinical information within the limits of measurement capability, maintaining non-invasive operation while being honest about precision limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If a single venous pressure value is required for clinical decision-making, then clear treatment guidance is provided, but reliable determination cannot be made when pulse wave information is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinical decision-making efficiencyVSAvoidvenous pressure estimation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a value range (partial information) when unique determination is not possible, rather than providing a potentially unreliable single value. This maintains reliability by not overclaiming precision while still enabling clinical productivity through actionable information about body congestion state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback about the reliability of the measurement by indicating when a value range is provided versus when a unique value is determined. This allows clinicians to adjust their decision-making process based on the confidence level of the measurement, maintaining both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of moving object

If venous pressure is measured continuously to monitor heart failure progression, then timely intervention is enabled, but measurement reliability decreases when unique estimation is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

During continuous monitoring, when unique venous pressure estimation is not possible, the system provides value ranges (partial information) rather than discarding measurements or providing unreliable single values. This maintains continuous monitoring capability while being transparent about reliability limitations at specific time points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4115800B1Venous pressure measurement device and venous pressure measurement method
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP4115800B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4115800B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4115800B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A venous pressure measurement device includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain pulse wave information on a pulse wave of a subject measured by a sensor; and a processing unit configured to calculate a value range of venous pressure of the subject based on the pulse wave information obtained by the obtaining unit when the venous pressure of the subject is not estimatable from the pulse wave information obtained by the obtaining unit.