Wearable Gear Tension Mechanism for Adaptive Sensor Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forehead pulse oximeters require practice to achieve proper tension for accurate oxygen saturation measurements and are not adaptable to different head sizes, limiting their use in low-resource settings and for children.
Innovation Solution
A wearable gear with a tension mechanism combining resilient and non-resilient materials that automatically adjusts to a predefined tension, ensuring proper contact pressure across various body part sizes without the need for adhesive attachment or multiple sizes, suitable for children and diverse users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a headband is designed to fit around a wearer's head, then it can be used for SpO2 measurement, but it requires practice to achieve proper tension and cannot adapt to different head sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The headband incorporates an elastic segment that dynamically adjusts its length to accommodate different head sizes. The elastic segment can stretch and contract, allowing the headband to automatically adapt to various circumferences without requiring manual adjustment or practice to achieve proper tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The headband design changes the physical parameter of length by incorporating an elastic segment that can vary its length. This allows the same headband to fit different head sizes by elastically deforming to match the specific circumference, eliminating the need for multiple sizes or complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If contact pressure is increased to prevent venous pooling, then accurate SpO2 measurement is achieved, but it becomes uncomfortable or collapses arteries
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is designed with localized contact features that concentrate the necessary pressure only at the specific measurement point on the forehead. This ensures adequate contact pressure for accurate SpO2 measurement while distributing the overall load to prevent discomfort and arterial collapse in surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The headband applies pressure selectively and partially - only enough at the measurement point to prevent venous pooling and ensure accurate readings, while avoiding excessive pressure that would cause discomfort or collapse arteries. The elastic segment provides just sufficient tension to achieve the required contact pressure without over-compression.
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 wearable gear provides consistent and comfortable contact pressure, enabling accurate physiological parameter measurement across a range of body sizes, simplifying use and reducing the need for multiple devices, particularly beneficial in low-resource settings and for children.
Implementation Method 1
a first part comprising a resilient material, and a second part comprising a non-resilient material, wherein the first part and the second part mechanically cooperate with each other to automatically adjust the maximal length such that the predefined tension is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable gear for holding a physiological sensor for monitoring a subject, such as a pulse oximeter. Said wearable gear being configured to automatically adjust the maximal length such that the predefined tension is obtained regardless of the size of the body part of the subject. The wearable gear comprises a tensioning element having a maximal length, a holding unit for holding the physiological sensor, the wearable gear further comprises a tension mechanism for tensioning the tensioning element to a predefined tension when at least partially around a body part of the subject, wherein the tension mechanism comprises i) a first part comprising a resilient material, and ii) a second part comprising a non-resilient material, and wherein the first part and the second part mechanically cooperate with each other to automatically adjust the maximal length such that the predefined tension is obtained regardless of the size of the body part.