TWI865904B - Wearable pulse diagnosis device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wearable pulse diagnosis device including a glove, a plurality of pulse sensing units, a processor and a transmitter is provided. The glove includes a glove body and a plurality of finger cover parts, and the finger cover parts are connected to the glove body. The pulse sensing units are disposed at the finger cover parts, and each of the pulse sensing units includes at least one pressure sensor. The processor and the transmitter are disposed at the glove body, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the pulse sensing units and the transmitter is electrically connected to the processor.

Description

Wearable Pulse Device

The present invention relates to a pulse diagnostic device, and in particular to a wearable pulse diagnostic device.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pulse diagnosis is to feel the pulse with fingers, which is the so-called pulse image or the image of the pulse, including frequency, rhythm, fullness, smoothness, gentleness of movement and amplitude of fluctuation. The blood vessels of the human body flow throughout the body, connected with the internal organs, and transmitted to the skin, so Chinese medicine believes that the pulse image can reflect the physiological and pathological changes of the internal organs and blood.

There are many methods of pulse diagnosis, the most commonly used is the "Cunkou pulse method". This method is to press the pulsation of a section of the radial artery on the inner side of the radial process alone, and to infer the physiological and pathological conditions of the human body based on the pulse. The Cunkou pulse is divided into three parts: Cun, Guan and Chi. Each part is divided into floating, middle and sinking according to the depth of the pulse diagnosis, which together make up nine signs. Taking the pulse is a common diagnostic method used to judge the patient's symptoms. Specifically, based on the pulse image obtained by taking the pulse, most doctors can only let patients roughly understand the individual's symptoms through text descriptions (such as oral or written), and cannot convert the pulse image into specific images or data. Without the aid of images or data, not only is it difficult for the patient to fully understand the individual's condition based solely on the doctor's written description, but the doctor's diagnosis and treatment may also contain too many subjective judgments. In other words, in the absence of images or data in traditional Chinese medicine, doctors are easily influenced by their own subjective senses and find it difficult to give accurate quantitative descriptions, resulting in the inability of doctors to describe pulse or disease conditions with objective images or data during diagnosis and treatment. In addition, in the teaching and inheritance or communication of traditional Chinese medicine, there are no objective images or data as medical records to serve as a basis for communication between teachers and students or between doctors.

The present invention provides a wearable pulse diagnostic device that helps improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.

The present invention proposes a wearable pulse diagnostic device, including a glove, a plurality of pulse sensing units, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The glove includes a glove body and a plurality of finger sleeves, and the plurality of finger sleeves are connected to the glove body. The plurality of pulse sensing units are arranged on the plurality of finger sleeves, and each pulse sensing unit includes at least one pressure sensor. The processing unit and the transmission unit are arranged on the glove body, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the pulse sensing unit, and the transmission unit is electrically connected to the processing unit.

Based on the above, the wearable pulse diagnostic device of the present invention can be worn on the doctor's hand to facilitate the doctor's pulse feeling for the patient. With the assistance of the wearable pulse diagnostic device, the doctor can make a comprehensive judgment based on personal senses (including the pulse image and finger touch force) and the pulse image and pressure sensed by the wearable pulse diagnostic device to give an accurate quantitative description, avoid negligence in diagnosis, and thus greatly improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following is a detailed description of the embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

10: Finger contact surface

10a: Main contact area

11: Touch the opening

100: Wearable pulse diagnostic device

101: Pressure sensor

102: Optical sensor

103a: Processing unit

103b: Transmission unit

104:Battery

110: Glove body

111: Wearing and fixing part

120: First finger sleeve part

130: Second finger sleeve part

140: Third finger sleeve

150: First identification unit

151: Second identification unit

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a wearable pulse diagnosis device according to an embodiment of the present invention at two different viewing angles.

Figure 3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a wearable pulse diagnosis device of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a wearable pulse diagnosis device of another embodiment of the present invention

FIG1 and FIG2 are schematic diagrams of a wearable pulse diagnosis device of an embodiment of the present invention at two different viewing angles. Referring to FIG1 and FIG2, in this embodiment, the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100 can be worn on the doctor's wrist, palm and finger to facilitate the doctor to take the patient's pulse. During the pulse diagnosis process, with the assistance of the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100, the doctor can make a comprehensive judgment based on personal senses (including the pulse image and finger touch force) and the information sensed by the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100 to give an accurate quantitative description, avoid negligence in diagnosis, and thus greatly improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

In detail, the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100 can be implemented as a single pulse diagnosis glove or a pair of pulse diagnosis gloves, and each pulse diagnosis glove includes a glove body 110, a first finger sleeve part 120, a second finger sleeve part 130 and a third finger sleeve part 140, and the first finger sleeve part 120, the second finger sleeve part 130 and the third finger sleeve part 140 are connected to the glove body 110, so that the doctor can wear it on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the right hand, or on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the left hand.

Taking a single pulse examination glove as an example, the doctor can choose to wear the glove body 110 on the right palm, and wear the first finger sleeve part 120, the second finger sleeve part 130 and the third finger sleeve part 140 on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the right hand in sequence. Conversely, the doctor can also choose to wear the glove body 110 on the left palm, and wear the third finger sleeve part 140, the second finger sleeve part 130 and the first finger sleeve part 120 on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the left hand in sequence. In other words, any pulse examination glove is universal for both hands, so it can avoid wearing errors.

As shown in FIG1 , in order to facilitate identification of the wearing state of the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100, the first finger sleeve 120 and the third finger sleeve 140 respectively have a first identification portion 150 and a second identification portion 151, and the first identification portion 150 and the second identification portion 151 can be identification lights. For example, when a doctor wears the first finger sleeve 120 on the index finger of the right hand, the first identification portion 150 turns on the prompt light, and the second identification portion 151 turns off the prompt light to remind the doctor of the current wearing state. In contrast, when the doctor wears the third finger sleeve 140 on the index finger of the left hand, the second identification unit 151 turns on the prompt light, while the first identification unit 150 turns off the prompt light to remind the doctor of the current wearing status.

As shown in FIG1 , the glove body 110 has a wearing fixing portion 111 relative to the first finger sleeve portion 120, the second finger sleeve portion 130 and the third finger sleeve portion 140, for example, the glove is worn on the wrist using a Velcro, a magnetic buckle, a snap or other suitable fixing form to improve the convenience of wearing and help prevent the glove from slipping off.

As shown in FIG2 , the first finger sleeve part 120, the second finger sleeve part 130 and the third finger sleeve part 140 are all provided with pulse sensing units. In each finger sleeve part, the pulse sensing unit is arranged at the end of the finger sleeve part far from the glove body 110, such as the fingertip and the finger pulp corresponding to the finger. In detail, each pulse sensing unit includes at least one pressure sensor 101, and at least one pulse sensing unit further includes an optical sensor 102. In other words, the end of each finger sleeve part is provided with a pressure sensor 101, and the end of at least one finger sleeve part is provided with an optical sensor 102. For example, the pressure sensor 101 may be a capacitive pressure sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor or a piezoelectric pressure sensor, and the end of each cuff may be provided with a plurality of pressure sensors 101 arranged in an array, arranged in a specific pattern or arranged randomly. In addition, the optical sensor 102 may be a reflective pulse sensor.

To go further, pulse images may include pulse position, pulse frequency, pulse shape and pulse strength, where pulse position refers to the location and length of the pulse, and pulse frequency refers to the number and rhythm of the pulse between one breath and one inhalation. In addition, pulse shape refers to the width of the pulse, and pulse strength refers to the strength and smoothness of the pulse. On the other hand, Cunkou pulse method is a commonly used pulse diagnosis method, which can be divided into three parts: Cun, Guan and Chi according to the pressing position of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger, and each part can be divided into three levels: floating, middle and sinking according to the pressing depth or pressing force.

The pulses of the three parts, Cun, Guan and Chi, can be sensed by the multiple pulse sensing units of the multiple finger cuffs, respectively. The pressure sensor 101 of each finger cuff can be used to sense the pressure depth or pressure force of the doctor at the three parts, Cun, Guan and Chi, to assist the doctor in making a comprehensive judgment based on personal senses and sensing data. In addition, at least one optical sensor 102 of the finger cuff can be used to sense blood oxygen concentration and pulse rate as auxiliary data for the doctor to judge the patient's symptoms.

That is to say, the patient's pulse, blood oxygen concentration, pulse rate, and the doctor's finger pressure depth or depth force can all be sensed by the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100, and the corresponding information is transmitted to the terminal device for analysis or calculation. Finally, the analysis or calculation results are presented on the display interface in the form of specific images or data. Based on this, the doctor can make an objective comprehensive judgment based on personal senses (including the pulse and finger pressure) and the pulse, pressure, blood oxygen concentration and pulse rate sensed by the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100 to give an accurate quantitative description, avoid negligence in diagnosis, and thus greatly improve the accuracy of diagnosis. In addition to the doctor's oral description, with the help of specific images or data, patients can understand their own conditions and symptoms more clearly, thereby improving the efficiency of communication between doctors and patients. In addition, in the teaching and inheritance or communication of traditional Chinese medicine, the images or data obtained during the pulse diagnosis process can be used as medical records as a basis for communication between teachers and students or between doctors.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the wearable pulse diagnostic device 100 includes a processing unit 103a and a transmission unit 103b, and the processing unit 103a and the transmission unit 103b are disposed on the glove body 110 (e.g., the wearing fixing portion 111). The pulse sensing unit of each fingertip portion is electrically connected to the processing unit 103a, and the transmission unit 103b is electrically connected to the processing unit 103a. The processing unit 103a may be a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microcontroller, a special application integrated circuit, or other components or devices with logical computing and data access capabilities, and the transmission unit 103b may be a wireless transmission unit, such as using Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, other wireless transmission technologies, or other wireless communication technologies.

Continuing from the above, the signal sensed by the pulse sensing unit of each cuff can be first transmitted to the processing unit 103a, and then transmitted to the terminal device by the transmission unit 103b for analysis or calculation. Finally, the result of the analysis or calculation is presented on the display interface (such as a display) in the form of specific images or data. In this way, doctors can make a comprehensive judgment based on personal senses (including the pulse obtained by finger touch and the force of finger touch) and the pulse, pressure, blood oxygen concentration and pulse rate sensed by the wearable pulse diagnosis device 100, avoiding misjudgment due to errors in personal senses (including the pulse obtained by finger touch and the force of finger touch), so as to greatly improve the accuracy of pulse diagnosis.

As shown in FIG1 , the wearable pulse diagnostic device 100 further includes a battery 104 disposed on the glove body 110 (e.g., the wearing fixing portion 111), and each pulse sensing unit, processing unit 103a, and transmission unit 103b are electrically connected to the battery 104 to obtain the power required for operation. For example, when the battery 104 is insufficient in power, the battery 104 can be charged wirelessly or wiredly.

As shown in FIG1 , the wearable pulse diagnostic device 100 further includes a display unit 105, wherein the display unit 105 is disposed on the glove body 110 and electrically connected to the processing unit 103a. Specifically, the display unit 105 can be used to display the power level of the battery 104, the pressing depth or pressing force of the finger at the three parts of the inch, the joint and the foot, the patient's heartbeat data, the patient's blood oxygen data or other required data or parameters.

On the other hand, the display unit 105 can be a touch display unit and can be used as an operation interface. In one embodiment, when the doctor performs the pulse-feeding action according to the three levels of floating, middle and sinking, the doctor can first touch the touch display unit 105 (i.e., the touch display unit 105 receives the touch event), and then the touch display unit 105 transmits a signal (such as a start signal) to the processing unit 103a. After that, the processing unit 103a that receives the signal controls each pulse sensing unit to sense and record the pulse within a preset time.

In another embodiment, when the doctor takes the pulse individually according to the three levels of floating, middle and sinking, the doctor may first touch the touch display unit 105 (i.e., the touch display unit 105 receives the first touch event), and then the touch display unit 105 transmits the first signal (e.g., a start signal) to the processing unit 103a. Afterwards, the processing unit 103a that receives the first signal controls each pulse sensing unit to sense and record the pulse. Once any level of pulse-taking is completed, the doctor can touch the touch display unit 105 again (i.e. the touch display unit 105 receives the second touch event), and then the touch display unit 105 transmits the second signal (e.g., a shutdown signal) to the processing unit 103a. After that, the processing unit 103a that receives the second signal controls each pulse sensing unit to stop sensing.

FIG3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a wearable pulse diagnostic device of another embodiment of the present invention. The finger sleeve portion shown in FIG3 can be any one of the first finger sleeve portion 120, the second finger sleeve portion 130, and the third finger sleeve portion 140, wherein the end of the finger sleeve portion has a finger contact surface 10, and a plurality of pressure sensors 101 are arranged at the edge of the finger contact surface 10. In other words, the positions of the plurality of pressure sensors 101 avoid the main finger contact area 10a in the finger contact surface 10 or are arranged around the main finger contact area 10a, so that the doctor's finger pulp can feel the patient's pulse more directly.

FIG4 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a wearable pulse diagnosis device of another embodiment of the present invention. The finger sleeve portion shown in FIG4 can be any one of the first finger sleeve portion 120, the second finger sleeve portion 130 and the third finger sleeve portion 140, wherein the end of the finger sleeve portion has a finger contact surface 10 and a finger contact opening 11 located on the finger contact surface 10, and a plurality of pressure sensors 101 are arranged around the finger contact opening 11. Further, the finger contact opening 11 is the main finger contact area in the finger contact surface 10, and the positions of the plurality of pressure sensors 101 avoid the main finger contact area in the finger contact surface 10. Accordingly, the doctor's finger pulp can be exposed to the finger contact opening 11 and directly contact the patient's wrist or other parts to more directly feel the patient's pulse.

In other embodiments, the end of any one of the first finger sleeve portion 120, the second finger sleeve portion 130, and the third finger sleeve portion 140 has a finger contact surface 10 and a finger contact opening 11 located on the finger contact surface 10, and the pulse sensing unit is located around the finger contact opening 11. For example, the pulse sensing unit may include at least one pressure sensor 101 or at least one pressure sensor 101 and at least one optical sensor 102.

In summary, the wearable pulse diagnostic device of the present invention can be worn on the doctor's hand to facilitate the doctor's pulse feeling for the patient. With the assistance of the wearable pulse diagnostic device, the doctor can make a comprehensive judgment based on personal senses (including the pulse image and finger touch force) and the pulse image, pressure, blood oxygen concentration and pulse rate sensed by the wearable pulse diagnostic device to give an accurate quantitative description, avoid negligence in diagnosis, and thus greatly improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the attached patent application.

100: Wearable pulse diagnostic device

101: Pressure sensor

102:Optical sensor

110: Glove body

120: First finger sleeve part

130: Second finger sleeve part

140: Third finger sleeve

Claims (13)

A wearable pulse diagnosis device comprises: a glove, comprising a glove body and a plurality of finger sleeves, wherein the finger sleeves are connected to the glove body; a plurality of pulse sensing units, arranged on the finger sleeves, and used to sense the pulse of three parts, namely, Cun, Guan and Chi, wherein each of the pulse sensing units comprises at least one pressure sensor; a processing unit, arranged on the glove body, and electrically connected to the pulse sensing units; a transmission unit, arranged on the glove body, and electrically connected to the processing units; and a first identification unit and a second identification unit, wherein the finger sleeves comprise a first finger sleeve, a second finger sleeve and a first processing unit. Three finger sleeves, and the first identification part and the second identification part are respectively arranged on the first finger sleeve and the third finger sleeve. In one wearing state, the first finger sleeve, the second finger sleeve and the third finger sleeve are sequentially worn on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the right hand, wherein the first identification part turns on the prompt light, and the second identification part turns off the prompt light. In another wearing state, the third finger sleeve, the second finger sleeve and the first finger sleeve are sequentially worn on the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the left hand, wherein the second identification part turns on the prompt light, and the first identification part turns off the prompt light. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the pulse sensing units is correspondingly configured on each of the finger cuffs. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein the finger sleeves have ends away from the glove body, and the pulse sensing units are disposed at the ends of the finger sleeves. The wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1 further includes: a battery, which is disposed in the glove body and electrically connected to the pulse sensing units, the processing unit and the transmission unit. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 4, wherein the glove body has a wearing and fixing portion relative to the finger sleeve portions, and the processing unit, the transmission unit and the battery are arranged in the wearing and fixing portion. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor of each pulse sensing unit includes a capacitive pressure sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor or a piezoelectric pressure sensor. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pulse sensing units further includes an optical sensor. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 7, wherein the optical sensor includes a reflective pulse sensor. The wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1 further includes: a display unit, which is disposed on the glove body and electrically connected to the processing unit. The wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 9, wherein the display unit is a touch display unit. When the touch display unit receives a touch event, the touch display unit transmits a signal to the processing unit. The processing unit that receives the signal controls each of the pulse sensing units to sense and record the pulse within a preset time. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein the end of each of the finger sleeves has a finger contact surface, and the number of the at least one pressure sensor is multiple, and the pressure sensors are arranged at the edge of the finger contact surface. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein the end of each of the finger sleeves has a finger contact surface and a finger contact opening located on the finger contact surface, and the pulse sensing unit is located around the finger contact opening. A wearable pulse diagnostic device as described in claim 1, wherein the end of each finger sleeve portion has a finger contact surface and a finger contact opening located on the finger contact surface, and the at least one pressure sensor is multiple in number and arranged around the finger contact opening.

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