Google enters the race with Apple & Samsung in bringing a Blood Pressure System to market with a Radar System within a Nest Hub device
One of the key health features that both Apple and Samsung are working on for their respective smartwatches is offering users a way to monitor their blood pressure. Apple's solution may (01, 02, 03) or may not require a blood pressure accessory (01, 02). Now Google wants to join the race but using a completely different methodology using a Nest Hub device.
A new patent published in Europe last week revealed Google's approach in bringing blood pressure measurement to their 'Nest Hub Max'' device via radar.
Google's patent application covers a method for measuring blood that can include emitting, by a radar sensor, radio frequency (RF) signals. The method can include receiving, by the radar sensor, RF reflection signals based on the emitted RF signals being reflected.
The method can include analyzing, by a processing system, the RF reflection signals at a first distance range to identify a first time of a pulse pressure wave at an aortic valve of a user. The method can include analyzing, by the processing system, the RF reflection signals at a second distance to identify a second time of the pulse pressure wave at an extremity of the user.
The method can include determining, by the processing system, a pulse transmit time (PTT) of the pulse pressure wave from the aortic valve of the user to the extremity of the user using the first time and the second time. The method can include determining, by the processing system, a blood pressure of the user based on the determined PTT. The method can include outputting, by the processing system, an indication of the determined blood pressure.
Embodiments of such a method can include one or more of the following features: The extremity of the user can be one or more hands of the user. The extremity of the user can be one or more feet of the user. Analyzing the RF reflection signals at the first distance range and at the second distance range can be performed by one or more neural networks. The method can include determining a heart rate based on analyzing the RF reflection signals, wherein determining the blood pressure of the user is further based on the heart rate.
The method can include determining a derived pulse waveform amplitude (DPWA) at the extremity of the user based on analyzing the RF reflection signals, wherein determining the blood pressure of the user is further based on the DPWA.
The method can include receiving, by the processing system, an external blood pressure measurement made using a blood pressure device separate from a device comprising the radar sensor.
The method can include comparing, by the processing system, the external blood pressure measurement and the determined blood pressure measurement. The method can include creating, by the processing system, a calibration profile for use in modifying a future determined blood pressure measurement.
A machine learning model can be modified based on the calibration profile specific to the user. The radar sensor and the processing system can be integrated as part of a home assistant hub device that further comprises a display screen and speaker, wherein the indication of the determined blood pressure is output using the display screen, the speaker, or both.
In some embodiments, a blood pressure measurement system is presented wherein the system can include a radar subsystem that includes a radio frequency (RF) emitter that emits RF signals and an RF receiver that receives RF reflection signals based on the emitted RF signals being reflected. The system can include a processing system, comprising one or more processors, in communication with the radar subsystem.
The processing system can be configured to analyze the RF reflection signals at a first distance range to identify a first time of a pulse pressure wave at an aortic valve of a user. The processing system can be configured to analyze the RF reflection signals at a second distance to identify a second time of the pulse pressure wave at an extremity of the user. The processing system can be configured to determine a pulse transmit time (PTT) of the pulse pressure wave from the aortic valve of the user to the extremity of the user using the first time and the second time. The processing system can be configured to determine a blood pressure of the user based on the determined PTT. The processing system can be configured to output an indication of the determined blood pressure.
Embodiments of a system can include one or more of the following features: The system can include a housing, wherein the housing houses the radar subsystem and the processing system. The housing can house: a microphone, a speaker, and an electronic display, wherein the indication of the determined blood pressure is output via the electronic display. The extremity of the user can be one or more hands of the user. The extremity of the user can be one or more feet of the user. Analyzing the RF reflection signals at the first distance range and at the second distance range can be performed by one or more neural networks. The processing system can be further configured to determine a heart rate based on analyzing the RF reflection signals, wherein determining the blood pressure of the user is further based on the heart rate.
The processing system can be further configured to determine a derived pulse waveform amplitude (DPWA) at the extremity of the user based on analyzing the RF reflection signals, wherein determining the blood pressure of the user is further based on the DPWA. The processing system can be configured to receive an external blood pressure measurement made using a blood pressure device separate from a device comprising the radar subsystem. The processing system can be configured to compare the external blood pressure measurement and the determined blood pressure measurement. The processing system can be configured to create a calibration profile for use in modifying a future determined blood pressure measurement. A machine learning model can be modified based on the calibration profile specific to the user.
Google's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates an embodiment of a computerized device that can be used to perform radar-based BP measurements; FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a radar-based BP measurement system.
Google's patent FIG. 7 below illustrates an embodiment of a user having the user’s BP measured using a radar-based BP measurement system.
Google's patent FIG. 5 above illustrates an embodiment of a smart home hub device that can be used to perform radar-based BP measurements; and finally, FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method for measuring BP.
The International Patent Application number is PCT/US2022/031531 that was originally filed in May 2022 and published on December 07, 2023.
Google has worked with a radar system in the past known as 'Soli" for a smart ring and PC's with little success. Although there's a saying that "The third time is the charm," it's easy to be skeptical about their radar system endeavors. Then again, never say never.
For the record, two Apple patents show that their engineering teams have dabbled with the future use of radar technologies (01 and 02), with the latter noting "In some embodiments, the determined vital sign or the medical condition of the individual facilitates an additional service or application."
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