Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating cardiopulmonary functioning

• US 10,716,481 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2013
• Issued: 07/21/2020
• 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): Eiseman, Lynsey C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hough, Jessandra F
• Application Number:
  US14/101,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,415 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic 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 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• 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 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• 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 5/0205 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 5/02427 Details of sensor
• 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 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• 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 5/1032 : Determining colour for diagnostic purposes measuring colour in general G01J3/46
• 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 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 : Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 : using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 : Audiometering
• 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 5/14551 : for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 : Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14556 : by fluorescence A61B5/14555 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 : non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 : combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 : Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 : Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 : Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• 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 5/4205 : Evaluating swallowing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4227 : endocrine glands, i.e. thyroid, adrenals, hypothalamic, pituitary
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4266 : sweat secretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4542 : Evaluating the mouth, e.g. the jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 : Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 : Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• 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 5/4872 : Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 : Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• 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 5/6816 : Ear lobe
• 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 5/7203 : for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• 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 5/7405 : using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 : Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 : Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 : having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 : Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 : for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/00 : Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D13/00, G01D15/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/47 : Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence G01N21/55 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 : Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/021 : Special mounting in general
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0612 : Laser diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 : Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 : Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 : Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 : Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 : Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/453 : electronically

Abstract

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating the cardiopulmonary functioning of a person, the system comprising:

a portable telecommunication device; and

a sensor module configured to be worn by the person, the sensor module comprising;

at least one auscultatory sensor that is pointed in a direction of the person when the sensor module is being worn, wherein the at least one auscultatory sensor is configured to sense physiological sounds from the person that are related to cardiopulmonary functioning;

at least one external acoustical sensor pointing away from the person and towards an environment around the person, wherein the at least one external acoustical sensor is configured to sense external sounds from the environment;

a signal processor configured to process signals from the at least one auscultatory sensor and the at least one external acoustical sensor to at least partially remove external sounds from the physiological sounds and generate new signals containing cleaner physiological information about the cardiopulmonary functioning of the person; and

a transmitter in communication with the signal processor and configured to transmit the new signals from the signal processor to the portable telecommunication device;

wherein the at least one auscultatory sensor, the at least one external acoustical sensor, the signal processor, and the transmitter combined operate with less than 100 mW of total operating power;

wherein the portable telecommunication device comprises a user interface configured to display the cleaner physiological information about the cardiopulmonary functioning information for the person.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable telecommunication device comprises at least one physiological sensor configured to sense one or more of the following types of physiological information generated by the person:

pulse rate, blood flow, blood gas levels, body temperature, and blood pressure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises an earpiece module and wherein the at least one auscultatory sensor is configured to sense physiological sounds generated from an ear region of the person, and wherein the physiological sounds comprise pulse rate and breathing rate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module further comprises a blood pressure sensor comprising an actuator and a pressure transducer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module further comprises a blood pressure sensor comprising a pulse rate sensor and a blood volume sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a personal database and an anonymous database, wherein the personal database contains cardiopulmonary information for the person, and wherein the anonymous database contains cardiopulmonary information for multiple other persons, and wherein the anonymous database is publicly accessible through the Internet.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the portable telecommunication device comprises at least one signal processor configured to communicate with the personal and anonymous databases, to generate personalized cardiopulmonary statistics for the person from data in the personal database, and to generate cardiopulmonary statistics for multiple other persons from data in the anonymous database.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the portable telecommunication device at least one signal processor is configured to generate a comparison between cardiopulmonary functioning of the person and cardiopulmonary functioning of multiple other persons.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one auscultatory sensor and the at least one external acoustical sensor are activated and deactivated via the portable telecommunication device user interface.

10. A wearable apparatus, configured to be worn at an ear region of a person and to monitor physiological information from the person, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrodes configured to monitor blood gases diffused through the skin of the person;

at least one signal processor configured to process signals from the plurality of electrodes; and

at least one transmitter responsive to the at least one signal processor that is configured to transmit the processed signals to at least one remote terminal;

wherein the plurality of electrodes, the at least one signal processor, and the at least one transmitter combined operate with less than 100 mW of total operating power.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blood gases comprise carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen, or nitrogen, and wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to evaluate cardiopulmonary functioning of the person based on levels of the blood gases.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one remote terminal comprises a signal processor that is configured to monitor cardiopulmonary functioning of the person.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to monitor one or more of the following ions within the ear region of the person:

sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, and nickel.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one temperature sensor configured to sense core body temperature of the person and wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to process signals from the at least one temperature sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14,

wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises at least one of the following:

infrared sensor, imaging sensor, thermistor, and thermocouple.

16. A system for monitoring the cardiopulmonary functioning of a person, the system comprising:

at least one remote terminal; and

a sensor module configured to be worn by the person, the sensor module comprising;

at least one physiological sensor configured to sense the following types of physiological information generated by the person;

pulse rate, blood flow, and blood pressure;

at least one signal processor configured to process the signals generated by the at least one physiological sensor;

at least one transmitter responsive to the at least one signal processor that is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one a remote terminal; and

a user-selectable switch;

wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to focus processing resources on one of the types of physiological information in response to a specified preference indicated by user actuation of the switch; and

wherein the at least one physiological sensor, the at least one signal processor, the at least one transmitter combined operate with less than 100 mW of total operating power.