Wrist-worn Biometric Sensor with Contact and Position Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable biological information measurement devices face issues with unstable electrocardiogram recordings and inconvenient posture requirements during simultaneous blood pressure and electrocardiographic waveform measurements, leading to potential noise and inaccurate readings.

Innovation Solution

A wrist-worn device equipped with a blood pressure measurement unit, electrocardiographic waveform measurement unit, electrode contact state detection, position detection, and a controller that ensures correct electrode contact and posture alignment before initiating measurements, using multiple correctness determination units to ensure accurate and stable data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the device is worn on the wrist and the measurement start button is pressed to begin measurement, then the measurement can be initiated, but the electrode contact state may become inappropriate after measurement start, causing unstable electrocardiogram recordings or noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement initiation speedVSAvoidelectrode contact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and confirming appropriate electrode contact state and wrist height position before initiating the measurement. The controller verifies that the electrode is properly contacted and the wrist is at the correct height relative to the heart before starting the measurement cycle, preventing unstable recordings from the outset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the electrode contact state and wrist position during the measurement process. The controller uses detection results to determine whether to proceed with or interrupt the measurement, adjusting the measurement initiation based on real-time feedback from the detection units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the user is forced to take a specific posture to arrange the device body at the same height as the heart for blood pressure measurement, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidposture requirement convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the device automatically detect and verify the wrist height position relative to the heart through the height detection unit. The system autonomously determines whether the appropriate posture is achieved without requiring manual verification or adjustment by the user, reducing the burden while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual posture adjustment mechanisms with automated detection through the height detection unit. Instead of relying on mechanical positioning by the user, the system uses sensors to detect the actual wrist height and automatically determines measurement eligibility, substituting mechanical effort with electronic detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the device body is fixed to the arm and electrodes are placed on the chest for IV induction measurement, then the measurement can be performed without holding the device, but the electrode contact state may become inappropriate after measurement start

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free measurement capabilityVSAvoidelectrode contact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by verifying electrode contact state before measurement initiation. The controller detects whether the electrode is properly contacted with the body before starting the measurement cycle, ensuring reliable data collection from the beginning and preventing unstable recordings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring electrode contact state during the measurement process. The controller uses detection results to determine whether to proceed with or interrupt the measurement, adjusting the measurement initiation based on real-time feedback from the detection units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240197194A1Biological information measurement device, control method for biological information measurement device, and program

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

This device is used by being worn on the wrist of the human body, said device comprising: a blood pressure measuring unit; an electrocardiographic waveform measuring unit, which is provided with a plurality of electrodes and is for measuring electrocardiographic waveforms of the human body; an electrode contact state detecting unit for detecting a contact state of the human body with the electrodes; a position detecting unit for detecting the position of the device; a control unit; an input unit for receiving a measurement start instruction; a first propriety determination unit that assesses whether the device is positioned at a height within a prescribed range; a second propriety determination unit that assesses whether the human body is in stable contact with the plurality of electrodes; and a combined measurement control unit that performs control for executing combined measurements of the blood pressure and the electrocardiographic waveform of the human body.