Wrist Temperature Sensor with Conductive Interlayer for Core Body Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body temperature measurement technologies face challenges in accurately estimating core body temperature due to variations in skin temperature and environmental factors, making it difficult for portable devices to provide reliable readings.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a first temperature sensor to measure skin surface temperature, calculate skin heat flux, and estimate core body temperature by incorporating a thermally conductive material and a processor to account for environmental and physiological factors such as blood flow rate and thermal conductivity, along with a PPG sensor to measure blood pressure and heart rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact type temperature sensor is used to measure skin temperature, then the measurement is simple and portable, but the core body temperature cannot be accurately measured due to variation in skin temperature affected by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive material as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the skin surface. This material has high thermal conductivity to facilitate heat transfer from the skin to the sensor, while its controlled thickness ensures it does not significantly alter the skin's thermal environment. This intermediary enables accurate core body temperature estimation through portable contact measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the measurement system by introducing a thermally conductive material with specific thermal conductivity and thickness properties. This parameter optimization allows the sensor to capture accurate temperature data reflecting core body temperature while maintaining portability and comfort.
2Measurement precision
If environmental factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, and air flow are considered in temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures environmental factors (ambient temperature, humidity, air flow) separately using dedicated sensors, then processes these measurements to compensate for their effect on skin temperature. This approach improves accuracy without requiring a completely complex redesign of the measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs multiple functions: it processes temperature sensor data, environmental sensor data, and physiological data (heart rate, blood flow) to estimate core body temperature. This multi-functionality consolidates various measurement and computation tasks into a single processing unit, managing complexity efficiently.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and processing algorithms are used to estimate core body temperature, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement approaches (contact temperature sensing, environmental monitoring, and physiological parameter measurement) into an integrated system. The processor merges data from temperature sensors, environmental sensors, and physiological sensors to estimate core body temperature, improving reliability through data fusion while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sources (temperature measurements, environmental conditions, physiological parameters) to continuously refine the core body temperature estimation. The processor analyzes this feedback data and adjusts the estimation algorithm to improve reliability, creating a self-correcting measurement system.
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 allows for more accurate estimation of core body temperature by accounting for environmental and physiological factors, improving the reliability of body temperature measurements in portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor configured to measure a skin surface temperature at a measurement point of a user
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive material that is disposed between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
the second temperature sensor may be configured to measure a surface temperature of the thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 4
calculate skin heat flux based on the skin surface temperature
Implementation Method 5
a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to measure a PPG signal from the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for estimating body temperature includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure surface temperature of a wrist of a user; and a processor configured to calculate skin heat flux based on the surface temperature of the wrist, to estimate central wrist temperature of the user based on the surface temperature of the wrist, the calculated skin heat flux, and a blood flow rate and metabolism of the user, and to estimate core body temperature of the user based on the estimated central wrist temperature.