Wearable Ring Optical Biometric Sensors for Continuous Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in accurately measuring biometric parameters due to movement relative to the body, which affects the distance and angle between the device and body tissue, and difficulties in noninvasively measuring parameters like blood glucose levels using spectroscopy.
Innovation Solution
A wearable ring of optical biometric sensors with an arcuate array of light emitters and receivers spanning at least half of the circumference of the wrist, finger, or arm, which automatically adjusts its position, angle, and distance to maintain optimal contact with the body tissue, ensuring continuous and accurate measurement of parameters like oxygenation level, hydration, glucose, pulse rate, and blood pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wearable device is placed on the body to measure biometric parameters, then measurement capability is provided, but device movement relative to the body causes changes in distance and angle affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wearable device adaptable to body movements through flexible materials and adjustable components. The device structure allows it to move with the body rather than remain rigid, maintaining optimal contact and measurement geometry despite physiological movements. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between providing measurement capability and maintaining accuracy during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating sensors that can detect and adapt to changes in distance, angle, and contact pressure between the device and body tissue. By monitoring these parameters and adjusting measurement protocols or device positioning, the system maintains measurement precision even when physical parameters change due to movement.
2Productivity
If spectroscopic sensors are used to measure biometric parameters noninvasively, then continuous measurement is enabled, but measurement of certain parameters like blood glucose remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by using multiple spectroscopic sensors with different wavelengths and measurement modalities to measure various biometric parameters. For challenging parameters like blood glucose, the system segments the measurement task across multiple sensor types and processing methods, improving the ability to extract accurate information from complex spectral data while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional wearable device that can measure multiple biometric parameters (oxygenation, hydration, glucose, pulse rate, blood pressure) using spectroscopic sensors. This multi-functional approach enables continuous measurement of various parameters while using the same underlying sensor technology, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring capability and measurement precision for difficult parameters.
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
This solution ensures continuous, accurate noninvasive measurement of biometric parameters by maintaining consistent optical communication with the body tissue despite device movement and improving the measurement of challenging parameters like blood glucose.
Implementation Method 1
Light energy from the light emitters which has passed through the person's body tissue and/or has been reflected from the person's body tissue is analyzed
Implementation Method 2
Light energy from the light emitters which has passed through the person's body tissue and/or has been reflected from the person's body tissue is analyzed
Implementation Method 3
maintaining consistent optical communication with the body tissue despite device movement
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a wearable ring of optical biometric sensors comprising an arcuate array of light emitters and light receivers which is configured to collectively span at least half of the circumference of a person's wrist, finger, or arm. Light energy from the light emitters which has passed through the person's body tissue and/or has been reflected from the person's body tissue is analyzed in order to measure biometric parameters such as the person's oxygenation level, hydration level, glucose level, pulse rate, heart rate variability, and/or blood pressure.