Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Venting for Waterproof Air Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wearable blood pressure measurement devices face issues with damage from repeated disinfection and pressure changes within sealed housings, necessitating a solution that maintains waterproof integrity while allowing air to enter and exit for cuff inflation and deflation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a sealed housing featuring vents equipped with labyrinthine conduits or membranes that allow air to enter and exit while preventing water ingress, ensuring waterproofing and maintaining internal pressure balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is completely sealed to protect electronics from water damage during disinfection, then waterproof reliability is improved, but air cannot enter to inflate the cuff bladder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous waterproof membrane as the vent element. This membrane allows air molecules to pass through its porous structure for cuff inflation while blocking liquid water during disinfection. The porous nature enables selective permeability based on the size and properties of the passing substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible waterproof membrane (thin film) as the vent element. This thin film provides a barrier that is permeable to air but impermeable to water, allowing the housing to remain sealed against water while still enabling air exchange for cuff operation.
2Reliability
If the housing is sealed to prevent water ingress, then protection from water damage is improved, but pressure buildup inside the housing compromises the sealed structure
Solution Approach 1:
The porous waterproof membrane allows pressure equalization by permitting air to pass through while maintaining the seal against water. This prevents dangerous pressure buildup that would compromise housing integrity while preserving waterproof protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof membrane acts as an intermediary element between the internal and external environments. It mediates the conflict between sealing requirements and pressure relief by allowing selective passage of air while blocking water, thus protecting both the seal integrity and the electronics.
3Ease of operation
If a vent is added to allow air entry, then cuff inflation capability is improved, but water may enter through the vent during disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the waterproof membrane allows air molecules to pass through for proper air circulation during cuff inflation, while the pore size and hydrophobic properties prevent water molecules from entering during disinfection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof membrane serves as a selective barrier that permits air passage while blocking water ingress. This thin film maintains the housing seal against water while enabling the vent function for air exchange.
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 device maintains waterproof integrity and functional operation by allowing air circulation and pressure relief, protecting electronics from damage and ensuring accurate blood pressure measurements in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one vent comprises at least one waterproofing element configured to allow air to transit between the inside of the sealed housing and the outside environment while preventing water from entering the sealed housing
Implementation Method 2
at least one waterproofing element configured to allow air to transit between the inside of the sealed housing and the outside environment while preventing water from entering the sealed housing
Implementation Method 3
a pump configured to generate a pressure or a vacuum in order to inflate or deflate the bladder
Implementation Method 4
the at least one vent comprises at least one waterproofing element configured to allow air to transit between the inside of the sealed housing and the outside environment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wearable device (100) for measuring blood pressure comprising a sealed housing (25) including a pump in fluidic connection with a bladder (15) configured to exert a pressure on the at least one portion of a limb of a subject, at least one vent (50) positioned on at least one wall of said sealed housing (25), the at least one vent (50) being configured to connect an inside of the sealed housing (25) with an outside environment to allow air to be pumped in the sealed housing (25). The invention is characterized in that the at least one vent (50) comprises at least one waterproofing element configured to allow air to transit between the inside of the sealed housing (25) and the outside environment while preventing water from entering the sealed housing (25).