Electronic cardioarteriograph. MKT2021/0186_H
An easy-to-use affordable device to measure several cardiovascular parameters from unsupervised measurements easily obtained at hands, feet or both. Ref. MKT2021/0186_H
Electronic cardioarteriograph. MKT2021/0186_H
An easy-to-use affordable device to measure several cardiovascular parameters from unsupervised measurements easily obtained at hands, feet or both. Ref: MKT2021/0186_H
El repte/The challenge
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death yet plenty of patients remain undiagnosed until acute stages of the disease, or need periodic monitoring after intervention. Existing devices need skilled users, measure a limited number of parameters, often with time-consuming, cumbersome procedures. There is a need for comfortable, easy-to-use, connected devices intended for personal periodic health monitoring that do not disrupt daily routines and can be used anywhere.
La tecnologia/The technology
Hands and feet are convenient interfaces for cardiovascular measurements, often used to obtain heart rate and ECG by contacting conductive electrodes. We add the electronic measurement of arterial blood pulses detected by changes in electrical impedance between both hands or feet, known as impedance plethysmogram (IPG). Our device simultaneously obtains ECG and proximal and distal IPGs using four conductive contacts. These contacts can be placed on two fingers of each hand, two fingers on one hand and two points on the opposite wrist, or on each arm, wrist, foot, or leg. Time intervals between ECG and IPG features yield Pulse Arrival Times (PAT) and Pulse Transit Times (PTT). PAT measures systolic time intervals (STI) for cardiac contractility and valvular diseases, while PTT measures arterial stiffness related to ageing, hypertension, cardiovascular risk, and the autonomic nervous system.
Avantatges innovadores/Innovative advantages
- Simultaneous electrical and mechanic cardiovascular and respiratory signals.
- No gel or cream, no contact with the thorax or any body part other than the upper or lower extremities, or both (for aortic PTT).
- No auxiliary personnel or specific training required to apply the device.
- Informs about the heart and major blood vessels and in a short time even when other distal sensors fail, e.g. during peripheral vasoconstriction.
- Can be implemented in many form factors: hand-held devices, handle bars, steering wheels, standing platforms/scales, wearables (wristbands, arm bands, watches), add-on modules to upgrade existing devices (one-lead ECG monitors, bioimpedance analyzers, blood pressure monitors, exercise bicycles…).
Fase actual de desenvolupament/Current stage of development
Prototypes for upper-, lower-, and whole-body measurements tested in clinical and non-clinical scenarios.
Aplicacions i mercat objectiu/Applications and target market
- Periodic monitoring: telehealth, home health care, post-surgery follow-up to reduce readmissions, chronic condition monitoring, early diagnose of people with CVD risks, home-based clinical trials.
- Fast cardiovascular tests: labor medicine, population screening, sports medicine, physical activity control.
- First responders: rescue workers, medical emergencies.
- Wellness: fitness assessment, stress prevention and reduction, healthy ageing.
Cardiovascular condition assessment from a device based only on contacts with the extremities
Systolic time intervals, pulse arrival times and pulse transit times obtained from the three surface signals
Oportunitats de negoci/Business opportunity
Solicitud de patente prioritaria.
Estat de la propietat intel·lectual i industrial/Intelectual property status
Patent sol·licitada/Applied patent
Contacte/Contact
Servei de Gestió de la Innovació
T. +34 934 13 76 23
gestio.innovacio@upc.edu