Methods and devices for central photoplethysmographic monitoring

• US 10,368,758 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Melker, Richard J., Euliano, Neil, Fuerhlein, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Weston, Tiffany
• Application Number:
  US15/651,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20180008155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0295 using plethysmography, i.e. measuring the variations in the volume of a body part as modified by the circulation of blood therethrough, e.g. impedance plethysmography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• 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 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0627 with sealing means on a part of the body other than the face, e.g. helmets, hoods or domes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

Provided according to embodiments of the present invention are methods of monitoring individuals that include securing a photoplethysmograph probe to at least one of a pre-auricular region and a post-auricular region of the individual and obtaining photoplethysmography signals from the photoplethysmography probe. Photoplethysmography probes and helmets related to such methods are also described herein.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an individual comprising

securing a photoplethysmography probe to a post-auricular region of the individual;

obtaining photoplethysmography signals from a post-auricular artery of the individual; and

processing the photoplethysmography signals with a an oximetry signal processing module to determine a blood oxygen saturation of the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processed photoplethysmography signals are further analyzed to determine changes in blood flow in the individual.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein processing the photoplethysmography signals comprises separating the photoplethysmography signals into an isolated AC component signal stream and an isolated DC component signal stream.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the isolated AC component signal stream and the isolated DC component signal stream are analyzed to monitor the individual.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the photoplethysmography probe is embedded into a helmet.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the photoplethysmography probe is a reflectance probe.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the photoplethysmography probe comprises

a wiring harness, and a probe base structure comprising an LED and a photodetector on the wiring harness,

wherein the wiring harness is configured to secure around the individual'"'"'s ear and the probe base structure is at a proximal end of the wiring harness and configured to secure to a post-auricular region of the individual.