Wearable Glove Integrating Infrared and ECG Sensors for Continuous Physiological Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical devices cannot simultaneously and continuously monitor multiple physiological parameters like blood pressure, blood glucose, oxygen saturation, and heart activity in a non-invasive manner, limiting their ability to accurately predict and diagnose conditions such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Innovation Solution

A glove equipped with an infrared sensor for blood glucose monitoring, electrocardiograph connectors for heart activity, and a cuff for blood pressure measurement, coupled with a computing server that processes these readings to diagnose conditions like hypotension, hypertension, and arrhythmia in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diagnostic devices are used to monitor physiological parameters, then each parameter can be measured with dedicated equipment, but multiple devices cannot be used simultaneously and continuously due to different configurations and lack of communication APIs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to monitor multiple physiological parametersVSAvoidnumber of separate diagnostic devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple diagnostic functions (blood pressure monitoring via cuff, blood glucose monitoring via infrared sensor, ECG monitoring via connectors) into a single integrated glove device, allowing simultaneous monitoring of multiple physiological parameters through one unified system rather than requiring separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glove is designed as a universal monitoring device that can simultaneously perform multiple functions: measuring blood pressure through the cuff, detecting blood glucose levels through the infrared sensor on the index finger, and recording ECG through the connectors, making it adaptable to monitor various physiological parameters through a single device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional devices monitor physiological parameters at a single time instance, then the monitoring is simple, but continuous monitoring over time is not achieved, limiting accurate prediction of clinical conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of clinical condition predictionVSAvoidmonitoring time interval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous monitoring of physiological parameters over time through the integrated glove device, with data being continuously collected and transmitted to the server for real-time analysis, eliminating the single-time-instance limitation of conventional devices and enabling accurate prediction of clinical conditions through temporal trends

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple separate diagnostic devices are used, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but they cannot be spatially or technically configured to work simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidspatial and technical configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all diagnostic components into a single wearable glove, the system eliminates the spatial configuration issues of multiple separate devices, allowing simultaneous monitoring of blood pressure, blood glucose, and ECG without requiring complex spatial arrangement or technical integration between separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables simultaneous, non-invasive monitoring of multiple physiological parameters, providing real-time diagnosis and notification of conditions, thus improving patient health and convenience, especially for bedridden or mobility-impaired individuals.

Implementation Method 1

The infrared sensor can be configured to monitor blood glucose of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of electrocardiograph connectors can be configured to monitor electrical activity of a heart of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical activity detection: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

The cuff can be configured to use a pressure sensor monitor measure a systolic blood pressure and a diastolic blood pressure of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11426122B2Glove

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 THE AGA KHAN UNIV

AI summary

A glove is described to simultaneously, non-invasively, and continuously, over a period of time, monitor physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, blood glucose, oxygen saturation level, electrical activity of the heart, and/or heart rate) of a patient. A computing server that is either communicatively coupled to the glove or is a part of the glove uses the monitored physiological parameters to determine whether the patient has a physiological condition (e.g., hypotension, hypertension, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hypoxia, hyperoxia, arrhythmia, a strong form of tachycardia, a mild form of tachycardia, and/or bradycardia). Related apparatuses, systems, methods, techniques and articles are also described.