Wrist Blood Pressure Sensor Alignment for Height Error
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrist-type blood pressure measurement apparatuses do not accurately account for the heights of the radial and ulnar arteries, leading to errors in blood pressure measurement when these heights differ from the heart's height.
Innovation Solution
A wrist-type blood pressure measurement apparatus and control method that includes an inclination angle measurement unit, rotation angle measurement unit, distance information acquisition unit, and determination unit to assess and adjust the positional relationship between the radial and ulnar arteries, ensuring accurate blood pressure measurement by aligning the arteries' heights with the heart's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wrist-type blood pressure measurement is performed without considering the heights of radial and ulnar arteries, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when artery heights differ from heart height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the relative positional relationship between the radial and ulnar arteries using the inclination angle measurement unit, rotation angle measurement unit, and distance information acquisition unit before conducting blood pressure measurement. This preliminary assessment allows the system to determine whether height differences exist and guide the user to adjust their position accordingly, ensuring accurate measurement while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the determination unit provides information about the relative positional relationship between arteries to the user, and the control unit guides the user to adjust their position based on this feedback. This iterative process ensures that measurement accuracy is maintained by continuously monitoring and adjusting the measurement conditions.
2Device complexity
If the height difference between arteries and heart is not considered, then the measurement apparatus structure remains simple, but measurement reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using the inclination angle measurement unit, rotation angle measurement unit, and distance information acquisition unit not only for detecting artery positional relationships but also for calculating the height difference between arteries and heart. This universal approach allows a single integrated system to perform multiple functions (positional detection, height calculation, and measurement guidance) without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical structures for height adjustment with a sensor-based system that uses inclination angle sensors, rotation angle sensors, and distance measurement units to detect and calculate height differences. This substitution of mechanical systems with sensor-based detection and calculation reduces structural complexity while maintaining or improving measurement reliability.
3Productivity
If no adjustment is made for artery height differences, then the measurement process is fast, but measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the relative positional relationship between arteries using sensors before the actual blood pressure measurement. This preliminary action quickly determines whether height differences exist and provides guidance information, allowing the user to make minimal adjustments if needed. This approach maintains fast measurement speed while ensuring accuracy by addressing height differences before measurement begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the measurement system to self-assess the relative positional relationship between arteries and automatically provide guidance information to the user. The system serves itself by detecting positional relationships, calculating height differences, and generating appropriate guidance messages without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining measurement speed while improving accuracy through automated assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A CPU of a blood pressure measurement apparatus configured to be used while attached to a wrist of a measurement subject calculates an inclination angle formed by a forearm of the measurement subject with respect to a reference plane, and a rotation angle about an axis, where the forearm is used as the axis, of the blood pressure measurement device, based on information detected by an acceleration sensor, and uses the distance d between the radial artery and the ulnar artery that pass through the wrist, the inclination angle, and the rotation angle to determine the relative positional relationship between the radial artery and the ulnar artery. In accordance with the relative positional relationship, the CPU guides the measurement orientation of the measurement subject.