Detection of metabolic disorders using wireless earpieces

• US 10,470,709 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2018
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US16/047,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20180353130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 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 system for detecting metabolic disorders, comprising:

a wireless device having a graphical user interface; and

a set of wireless earpieces wirelessly coupled to the wireless device, the set of wireless earpieces 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 includes 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.

2. The system of claim 1, 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 the graphical user interface.

3. The system of claim 2, 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.

4. The system of claim 3, 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.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the alert displayed by the graphical user interface indicates whether the user is in distress.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface can inform the user when they have consumed too much alcohol.

7. The wireless earpiece of claim 5, wherein the alerts are communicated to the wireless device, graphical user interface, tracking device and the network.