Wearable Pulse Sensor for Automated Death Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals living alone often go unnoticed for days, weeks, or months after passing away due to lack of regular check-ins, leading to delayed discovery of their death, prompting a need for a wearable device that can detect the absence of a pulse and send timely notifications to third parties.
Innovation Solution
A wearable wristband or bracelet equipped with a pulse detecting sensor and an embedded e-SIM that continuously monitors the wearer's pulse and sends notifications to pre-configured contacts when no pulse is detected for a threshold time, using cellular capabilities to ensure timely discovery of the wearer's passing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individuals live alone to maintain privacy and independence, then personal freedom and privacy are improved, but the ability to be noticed when passing away is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device autonomously monitors the wearer's pulse and automatically sends notifications when no pulse is detected, eliminating the need for others to actively check on the individual while maintaining privacy and independence
Solution Approach 2:
The device continuously monitors physiological signals and provides feedback to third parties when abnormal conditions (absence of pulse) are detected, creating a passive alert system that maintains wearer privacy while ensuring detection
2Ease of operation
If regular welfare checks are not performed to respect privacy, then personal privacy is maintained, but the discovery of death is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
Contact information and monitoring parameters are pre-configured in the device before the wearer passes away, enabling immediate automatic notification without requiring prior knowledge or manual intervention from third parties
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device acts as an intermediary between the wearer and third parties, automatically transmitting death notification signals without requiring direct contact or intervention from family, friends, or neighbors
3Reliability
If a pulse monitoring device is worn continuously, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and intrusiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts and monitors only the essential pulse signal from complex physiological data, using simple optical sensors to detect pulse presence rather than comprehensive medical monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is localized to a simple optical sensor on the wristband rather than requiring complex medical equipment, focusing detection capability only where needed for pulse detection
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 provides peace of mind to family and friends by promptly notifying them of the wearer's passing, preventing individuals from being left alone for extended periods after death, and can be worn discreetly at all times, including during activities.
Implementation Method 1
A pulse detecting sensor is embedded within the inner surface of the band and is configured to detect the pulse of the wearer when the sensor touches the skin of the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device designed to notify third parties in the event of the death of the wearer of the wearable device is disclosed. The device can be worn around the wrist and features a band with a pulse detecting sensor embedded on the inner surface thereof. The sensor continuously monitors the wearer's pulse. In the absence of a pulse for a predefined duration, an e-sim within the band, preconfigured with contact details of designated third parties, automatically sends out a notification to indicate that the wearer has passed away. The notification includes pre-set or customizable content and may include a timestamp of the last detected pulse.