Health monitoring

• US 10,327,660 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isansys Lifecare Limited
• Original Assignee: Isansys Lifecare Limited
• Inventors: Gallego, Angela, Weir, Rebecca, Errey, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardinal, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US13/983,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20140031663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,699 Days
• Field of Search: 29825, 2940201, 2940203, 2940204, 128898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/28 for electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/00 Restoring or reconditioning objects straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0256 of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.

Abstract

An electrode assembly for making electrocardiogram measurements includes a substrate and at least two electrodes. The substrate includes at least one electronic item sealed therewithin and is laminated or otherwise constructed so as to facilitate removal of the electronic item from the substrate prior to disposal. The electronic item may therefore be re-used in the manufacture of new electrode assemblies.

Claims

1. A method of refurbishing a sensor assembly comprising a wearable substrate, at least one sensor arranged to detect a bodily function, the sensor comprising at least two electrodes disposed on the substrate and an electronic item comprising at least one of a data processor or a wireless transmitter arranged to process or transmit data received from the sensor, wherein the electronic item is sealed within the substrate, said method comprising the steps of:

removing the electronic item from the substrate;

discarding the substrate and the electrodes;

physically cleaning the electronic item;

incorporating the electronic item into a new substrate so as to form a refurbished sensor assembly having the electronic item sealed within the new substrate; and

sterilizing the refurbished sensor assembly so that it is placed in a sterile state ready for medical use.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a laminated structure which has the electronic item embedded between a pair of layers thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic item is connected to the electrodes by means of a frangible, or otherwise separable, electrical connection.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is provided with a line or zone of weakness to facilitate irreparable rupture of the substrate material to facilitate the removal of the electronic item from the substrate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic item further comprises one or more of:

a battery a printed circuit board, an electronic memory, a wireless receiver, or data storage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic item further includes an electronics module comprising a microprocessor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of reprogramming the microprocessor for re-use in the refurbished sensor assembly.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises one or more additional sensors.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the additional sensor(s), or at least an electronic part thereof, is also arranged so as to be removable from the substrate prior to the step of discarding the substrate and the electrodes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the sensor assembly further comprises a self-adhesive portion for attaching the assembly to a mammalian subject; and

the electronic item is a data processor electrically connected to the electrodes.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the refurbished sensor assembly comprises another sensor arranged to detect a different bodily function.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the refurbished sensor assembly comprises at least two new electrodes.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is arranged to make electrocardiogram measurements.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic item is contained in an air-tight pocket formed by the substrate.