Wearable Sensor System for Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring blood pressure are invasive, cumbersome, and lack the continuous, granular data needed for effective analysis and AI/machine learning applications, making it difficult to detect, predict, and manage hypertension effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wearable sensor system that measures blood pressure and heart rate data using a processor to analyze time-series data, identify baroreflex functionality, and determine cardiovascular disease states, allowing for non-invasive, continuous monitoring and prediction of hypertension and other related diseases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive approaches are used for continuous blood pressure monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pressure measurement precisionVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical catheter-based pressure measurement systems with non-invasive optical sensing systems. The wearable device uses optical sensors to detect blood pressure through photoplethysmography and other optical methods, eliminating the need for surgical implantation while maintaining continuous monitoring capability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wearable sensor assemblies as an intermediary between the body and the monitoring system. These sensors act as mediators that non-invasively capture physiological signals and transmit them to processing systems, avoiding direct invasive contact while enabling continuous data collection for hypertension detection and baroreflex analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If non-continuous monitoring systems are used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system usabilityVSAvoidblood pressure data granularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous blood pressure monitoring through wearable devices that continuously capture physiological signals. The system processes blood pressure waveforms, heart rate variability, and other parameters in real-time, maintaining continuous data streams that enable detection of transient baroreflex states and provide granular information for hypertension prediction without requiring repeated manual measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If mechanical cuff inflation is used for blood pressure measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoiduser activity restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cuff-based oscillometric measurement systems with wearable optical and pressure sensors. These sensors continuously measure blood pressure through photoplethysmography, impedance, or direct pressure sensing without requiring cuff inflation, allowing users to maintain normal daily activities while obtaining accurate blood pressure readings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If conventional blood pressure monitoring is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system simplicityVSAvoidhealthcare efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback systems that continuously analyze blood pressure data, heart rate variability, and baroreflex function. The system provides real-time feedback on hypertension risk, treatment effectiveness, and autonomic nervous system status, enabling proactive healthcare management and reducing the need for multiple clinical visits and manual assessments, thereby improving healthcare productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables patients to perform self-monitoring using wearable devices that automatically collect, process, and analyze blood pressure data. The system autonomously detects baroreflex states, predicts hypertension onset, and provides treatment recommendations without requiring complex clinical interventions, empowering patients to manage their own health while improving overall healthcare efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20210393188A1Quantification of intermittent function of baroreflex from continuous arterial pressure data

Publication Date: 2021.12.23 THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN

AI summary

An apparatus for measuring arterial pulse and heart rate of a subject includes a wearable sensor assembly configured to be attached to the subject to measure the blood pressure of the subject. The apparatus further includes a signal processor configured to receive blood pressure data from the wearable sensor assembly and to perform time-series analysis on the blood pressure data. The processor then determines baroreflex functionality of the patient, from the blood pressure data. Further, the processor determines an indication of hypertension in the subject from the baroreflex functionality.