Detection of metabolic disorders using wireless earpieces

• US 10,045,736 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2017
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): PHU, SANH D
• Application Number:
  US15/638,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20180008194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 455 73
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0013 Implantable devices or invasive measures
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A method for determining a status of a user utilizing wireless earpieces includes performing sensor measurements of a user utilizing at least optical sensors of the wireless earpieces, wherein the optical sensors detect metabolic abnormalities of the user, analyzing the sensor measurements, determining the status of the user utilizing at least sensor measurements from the optical sensors of the wireless earpieces, and communicating an alert to the user in response to there being a change in the status of the user. A wireless earpiece or set of wireless earpieces with optical sensors for detecting metabolic abnormalities are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for determining metabolic abnormalities in a user utilizing wireless earpieces, comprising:

performing sensor measurements of the user utilizing at least optical sensors of the wireless earpieces positioned against skin of the user, wherein the optical sensors detect skin pigmentation color indicative of metabolic abnormalities of the user;

analyzing the sensor measurements to determine if the user exhibits metabolic abnormalities based on color of skin pigmentation using a processor of the wireless earpieces, the processor operatively connected to the optical sensors;

determining by the processor of the status of the user utilizing at least sensor measurements from the optical sensors of the wireless earpieces; and

communicating an alert to the user in response to there being a change in the status of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

linking the wireless earpiece with a communications device, wherein the wireless earpieces are linked with the communications device utilizing a Bluetooth connection, and wherein the alert is displayed by the communications device as received from the wireless earpieces.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing comprises:

measuring deviations of the sensor measurements over time, identifying trends associated with the sensor measurements, and comparing the sensor measurements to control data for the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor measurements further include biometric readings of the user including at least ketone levels, pigmentation changes, pulse, voice or audio output, blood pressure, temperature, and user experienced forces.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor measurements indicate whether the user is in distress.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical sensors include at least one blue light emitting diode (LED).

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the alert to one or more users associated with the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert includes at least the sensor measurements and the user status.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert includes two or more thresholds exceeded by the sensor measurements.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor measurements are performed utilizing a predetermined schedule.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless earpiece communicates the alert to the user at least audibly and indicates the user status.

12. A wireless earpiece, comprising:

a frame for fitting in an ear of a user;

a logic engine controlling functionality of the wireless earpiece;

a plurality of sensors measuring biometric readings of the user, wherein the plurality of sensors include at least optical sensors and are configured to emit and detect light to determine skin pigmentation of the user;

a transceiver communicating with at least a wireless device;

wherein the logic engine analyzes the biometric readings to determine if the user exhibits metabolic abnormalities based on color of the skin pigmentation,

determines the status of the user utilizing at least biometric readings from the optical sensors of the wireless earpieces, and communicate an alert to the user in response to there being a change in the status of the user.

13. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the transceiver establishes a Bluetooth link with the wireless device, wherein the alert is communicated to the wireless device for display to the user utilizing a graphical user interface, and wherein the alert is displayed by the communications device as received from the wireless earpieces.

14. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the logic engine analyzes the biometric readings by measuring deviations of the sensor measurements over time, identifying trends associated with the sensor measurements, and comparing the sensor measurements to control data for the user.

15. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the biometric readings include biometric readings of the user including at least ketone levels, pigmentation changes, pulse, voice or audio output, blood pressure, temperature, and user experienced forces.

16. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the alert indicates whether the user is in distress.

17. The wireless earpiece of claim 16, further comprising:

a memory in communication with the logic engine, wherein the memory stores a plurality of thresholds, wherein each of the plurality of thresholds for the biometric readings includes a high threshold and a low threshold.

18. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the optical sensors include at least one blue light emitting diode (LED).

19. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the alerts are communicated to one or more users, devices, or systems.