Wearable human physiological data sensors and reporting system therefor

• US 20030065253A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: BodyMedia Incorporated (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Kasabach, Christopher, Stivoric, John, Gemperle, Francine
• Granted Patent: US 7,153,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/04 Constructional details of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• 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 5/01 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 5/021 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 5/11 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 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 : Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 : Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A sensor array and computing apparatus are located on the human body while maintaining said sensors and apparatus within a proximity zone of the body such that the mobility and flexibility of the body are not deleteriously affected by the presence of the apparatus. A series of rigid and flexible pods within which the sensors and computing apparatus may be housed are typically comprised of a rigid material having a minimum hardness or rigidity mounted in conjunction with certain more flexible sections to allow relative movement of the rigid material sections with respect to each other. The flexible material is further utilized to conform said rigid sections to certain pre-specified portions of the human body. The system permits the dynamic monitoring of human physiological status data without substantial interference in human motion and flexibility. A processor is mounted within a pod location with or adjacent to a sensor pod location, or said processor may be electrically connected to said sensor through a flexible material. Data in a processed or unprocessed state is transmitted to an external monitor through certain wire-based or wireless technologies. There is optionally provided a graphical, visual, audible, tactile or haptic output means so that certain data might be displayed or otherwise communicated instantaneously to the wearer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting and reporting static and dynamic data relating to the human physiological and environmental condition, comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting at least one human conditional status data point, said at least one sensor being flexibly mounted within at lease one defined, preselected space proximate to and located upon the human body such that said at least one sensor avoids interference with the motion and flexibility of said human body;

processing means in electrical communication with said at least one sensor for converting said at least one data point from said at least one sensor into at least one of human conditional and environmental status output data mounted within said at least one defined, preselected space; and

output means in electrical communication with said processing means for communicating said output data to a user.