Apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring environmental exposure and physiological response thereto

• US 10,258,243 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yukka Magic LLC
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Xie, Dacheng
• Application Number:
  US15/210,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20160317049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/07 Home care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• 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 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 : for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 : for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 : for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 : Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 : Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 : the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 : lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 : Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 : Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 : Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 : Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 : Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 : mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 : using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 : Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 : Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 : Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 : Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 : Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed. This information is then used to support a variety of useful methods, such as clinical trials, marketing studies, biofeedback, entertainment, and others.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus configured to be worn by a subject, wherein the apparatus comprises:

at least one physiological sensor configured to detect physiological information from the subject;

at least one environmental exposure sensor configured to detect at least one airborne analyte in a vicinity of the subject;

at least one motion sensor; and

at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

process signals produced by the at least one environmental exposure sensor and calculate a volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte,

process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor to determine a physiological response of the subject to the at least one airborne analyte,

calculate a distance traveled by the subject via signals produced by the at least one motion sensor, and

calculate a volume of air to which the subject has been exposed using the distance traveled by the subject,

wherein calculating the volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte is based on the volume of air to which the subject has been exposed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises at least one accelerometer, pedometer, or gyroscope.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental exposure sensor comprises at least one airflow sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter responsive to the processor that is configured to transmit the volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte and the physiological response of the subject to a remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitoring apparatus comprises a headset configured to be attached to an ear of the subject.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one airborne analyte comprises breathable toxicants.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one airborne analyte comprises a volatile organic chemical (VOC), a hydrocarbon, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), a carcinogen, or a toxin.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one airborne analyte comprises an airborne particle of at least one of oil, metal shavings, dust, smoke, ash, mold, or biological contaminates.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the physiological response of the subject comprises heart rate.

10. A monitoring system, comprising:

a monitoring apparatus configured to be worn by a subject, wherein the apparatus comprises;

at least one physiological sensor configured to detect physiological information from the subject; and

at least one environmental exposure sensor configured to detect at least one airborne analyte in a vicinity of the subject;

at least one motion sensor; and

a remote device comprising at least one processor in telemetric communication with the monitoring apparatus, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

process signals produced by the at least one environmental exposure sensor and calculate a volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte,

process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor and determine a physiological response of the subject to the at least one airborne analyte,

calculate a distance traveled by the subject via signals produced by the at least one motion sensor, and

calculate a volume of air to which the subject has been exposed using the distance traveled by the subject,

wherein calculating the volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte is based on the volume of air to which the subject has been exposed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises at least one accelerometer, pedometer, or gyroscope.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one environmental exposure sensor comprises at least one airflow sensor.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitoring apparatus comprises a headset configured to be attached to an ear of the subject.

14. A method of monitoring a physiological response of a subject to an environmental condition in a vicinity of the subject, wherein the subject is wearing a telemetric headset, the telemetric headset comprising at least one physiological sensor, at least one environmental sensor, at least one motion sensor, and at least one processor, the method comprising:

sensing environmental exposure information in the vicinity of the subject via the at least one environmental sensor;

processing the environmental exposure information via the at least one processor to calculate a volumetric concentration of at least one airborne analyte in a vicinity of the subject;

determining a physiological response of the subject to the at least one airborne analyte via the at least one physiological sensor;

sensing subject motion via at least one motion sensor associated with the telemetric headset, and calculating a distance traveled by the subject via the at least one processor using signals produced by the at least one motion sensor;

calculating, via the at least one processor, a volume of air to which the subject has been exposed using the distance traveled by the subject,

wherein calculating the volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte is based on the volume of air to which the subject has been exposed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one environmental exposure sensor comprises at least one airflow sensor.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises at least one accelerometer, pedometer, or gyroscope.