Wearable Sensor Signal Extraction via Adjacent Region Subtraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable sensors for monitoring physiological properties face interference from motion artifacts and unwanted signals from neighboring physiological features, leading to distorted information.
Innovation Solution
The method involves directing energy at a target region and an adjacent region, detecting energy response signals, processing these signals to produce an extracted signal, and comparing it with a physiological model to assess physiological conditions, using energy emitters and detectors configured to differentiate and amplify signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable sensors are used to monitor physiological properties, then physiological information can be obtained noninvasively, but the information is distorted by motion artifacts and unwanted signals from neighboring physiological features
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system divides the measurement area into multiple distinct regions (target region and adjacent regions) and uses separate sensors to detect signals from each region. This segmentation allows the system to isolate the physiological signal of interest from unwanted signals generated by neighboring physiological features and motion artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the desired physiological signal by subtracting the signals detected from adjacent regions from the signal detected from the target region. This extraction process removes unwanted signals and motion artifacts, leaving only the relevant physiological information.
2Measurement precision
If energy is directed at a target region and signals are detected from multiple regions, then physiological information quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system uses the same type of detector for both target region and adjacent region measurements, allowing a single sensor design to serve multiple functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the adjacent regions themselves as reference sources for signal subtraction, eliminating the need for external reference measurements or additional calibration procedures. The physiological tissue in adjacent regions naturally provides the unwanted signals that need to be removed.
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 approach provides accurate and clear physiological information by subtracting unwanted signals, reducing interference and enhancing the quality of data related to skin, blood, and blood vessel properties.
Implementation Method 1
directing electromagnetic radiation via one or more optical emitters, such as laser diodes (LDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), etc.
Implementation Method 2
detecting via one or more detectors, such as acoustic detectors, auscultatory detectors, motion detectors, optical detectors, thermal detectors, piezoelectric detectors, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for qualifying and quantifying excitation-dependent physiological information extracted from wearable sensors in the midst of interference from unwanted sources are provided. An organism is interrogated with at least one excitation energy, energy response signals from two or more distinct physiological regions are sensed, and these signals are processed to generate an extracted signal. The extracted signal is compared with a physiological model to qualify and/or quantify a physiological property. Additionally, important physiological information can be qualified and quantified by comparing the excitation wavelength-dependent response, measured via wearable sensors, with a physiological model.