Body mounted monitoring system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for monitoring a force acting on a head of a user, comprising:
- a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user and having an outer flexible layer and an inner flexible layer; and
a monitoring assembly removably coupled to the flexible article, the monitoring assembly including;
a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head,a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, anda flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor,wherein only the inner flexible layer separates the sensor from the head of the user when the flexible article is worn,wherein the flexible strip includes a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is disposed at the first end and the control unit is disposed intermediate to the first end and the second end,wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion,wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, andwherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and/or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.
21 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring a force acting on a head of a user, comprising:
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a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user and having an outer flexible layer and an inner flexible layer; and a monitoring assembly removably coupled to the flexible article, the monitoring assembly including; a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor, wherein only the inner flexible layer separates the sensor from the head of the user when the flexible article is worn, wherein the flexible strip includes a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is disposed at the first end and the control unit is disposed intermediate to the first end and the second end, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, and wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for monitoring acceleration of the head of a user, comprising:
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a flexible article of clothing having first and second flexible layers conformable to the head of the user; a sensor disposed between the first and second flexible layers for measuring an acceleration of the head and transmitting data relating to the acceleration; a control unit disposed between the first and second flexible layers having a housing and a processor disposed in the housing for receiving the acceleration data from the sensor; and a flexible strip operatively electrically connecting the sensor to the control unit, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, and wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of monitoring forces on the head of a user, comprising:
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providing a wearable monitor conformable to the head of the user and adapted to be worn intermediate a rigid helmet and the head, the wearable monitor having at least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope to be positioned immediately proximate to the head and proximate to at least one of the cranium, the frontal bone, the temporal bone, the parietal bone, the sphenoid bone, or the occipital bone of a user; collecting data from the least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope about an acceleration of the head; and conveying information related to the acceleration from a control unit operatively connected to the at least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope by a flexible strip, the control unit disposed within a pocket of the wearable monitor to the user, wherein the pocket of the wearable monitor has an opening in an inner layer of the wearable monitor, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, and wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A method of monitoring acceleration of the head of a user and corresponding forces acting thereon, comprising:
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determining a translational acceleration of the head using a low-g sensor adapted to be positioned immediately proximate the head in an open pocket of a wearable monitor, the low-g sensor operatively connected to a control unit by a flexible strip; determining the orientation of the sensor with respect to gravity; modifying the translational acceleration based on the orientation determination; comparing the modified translational acceleration and a predetermined threshold acceleration level; and conveying information to the user based on the comparison, wherein the open pocket of the wearable monitor is formed by an innermost layer and an outermost layer of the wearable monitor, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, and wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. A modular head impact monitoring system, comprising:
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a rigid helmet for protecting the head of a wearer; a conformal headpiece including an outermost conformal layer formable to the head of the wearer and an innermost conformal layer formable to the head of the wearer, the conformal headpiece adapted to be worn intermediate the rigid helmet and the head with a portion of the conformal headpiece extending below the rigid helmet and configured to be positioned at a base of the wearer'"'"'s neck; a sensor unit coupled to the headpiece and adapted to be disposed intermediate to the head and the outermost conformal layer for measuring an acceleration of the head; and a control unit having a processor, the control unit disposed in the portion of the conformal headpiece extending below the rigid helmet within a pocket of the headpiece, the pocket formed by the outermost conformal layer and the innermost conformal layer, wherein the sensor unit is operatively connected to the control unit by a flexible strip, wherein the headpiece is adapted to be worn separately from the helmet, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the wearer'"'"'s neck, and wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A device for monitoring a force acting on a head of a user, comprising:
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a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user, the flexible article having an inner layer and a pocket with an opening in the inner layer; and a monitoring assembly removably disposed within the pocket of the flexible article, the monitoring assembly including; a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head and proximate to the cranium and comprising at least one low-g accelerometer adapted to measure accelerations of no more than 24 g; a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor; and a flexible strip operatively electrically connecting the sensor to the processor, wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion, wherein the second portion of the flexible strip extends downwardly and is configured to be positioned at a base of the user'"'"'s neck, and wherein the processor is coupled to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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Specification