Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters

• US 10,448,890 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2016
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp.
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Eiseman, Adam J
• Application Number:
  US15/234,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20170095205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0271 Thermal or temperature sensors
• 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 5/0008 Temperature signals
• 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 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/02 Antithrombotic agents; Anticoagulants; Platelet aggregation inhibitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/04 Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Claims

1. A thermal sensing support structure comprising:

headwear having a head engaging portion;

an arm secured at one end to the headwear at said head engaging portion;

a free end of the arm being located opposite to the one end of the arm;

a sensor located at the free end of the arm, said arm being configured to place the sensor at the brain temperature tunnel area for measuring temperature at the brain temperature tunnel area;

said sensor being at least a thermal sensor;

said thermal sensor being partially surrounded by insulation to leave an exposed portion of the thermal sensor, said insulation having a thermally insulating surface, said thermally insulating surface being exposed for the thermally insulting surface to directly contact the skin at the brain temperature tunnel area, and the exposed portion of the thermal sensor receiving thermal energy from said skin surface.

2. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of the thermal sensor is located at a free end of a cylindrical sensor holder.

3. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the head engaging portion is a plate.

4. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 3, wherein the plate is flexible.

5. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the arm is curved.

6. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the arm is flexible.

7. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the arm is movably mounted on the head engaging portion.

8. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 7, wherein the arm is pivoted with respect to the head engaging portion.

9. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a contact or a non-contact sensor.

10. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the arm is a shape memory alloy.

11. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the head engaging portion is wider than said arm.

12. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the arm has a length of less than 15 cm.

13. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the arm is less than or equal to 2.5 cm.

14. A sensing support structure comprising

headwear having a head engaging portion,

an arm secured at one end to the headwear at said head engaging portion,

a free end of the arm being located opposite to the one end of the arm,

a sensor located at the free end of the arm, said arm being configured to place the sensor adjacent to a brain temperature tunnel area for measuring radiation emitted from the brain temperature area,

said sensor being spaced forwardly of the headwear so as to measure naturally emitted radiation projected away from an individual from the brain tunnel area.

15. The sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein said sensor is a radiation detector held by the arm.

16. The sensing support structure according the claim 15, wherein the arm is adjustably positionable with respect to the brain tunnel area.

17. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the head engaging portion is a plate.

18. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 17, wherein the plate is flexible.

19. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the arm is curved.

20. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the sensor is a contact or a non-contact sensor.

21. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the arm is a shape memory alloy.

22. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the head engaging portion is wider than said arm.

23. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein the arm has a length of less than 15 cm.

24. The thermal sensing support structure according to claim 14, wherein a thickness of the arm is less than or equal to 2.5 cm.