Multi-function sensor device and methods for its use

• US 20040039295A1
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Olbrich, Craig A., Dunfield, John Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 6,733,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/538
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0871 Peak expiratory flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise

Abstract

A portable sensor device for obtaining physiological information, including cardiopulmonary information, from a human or animal subject. The device includes a housing having a lumen and a respiratory port in fluid communication with the lumen. The lumen can be divided into plural airflow tubes. Spirometric data can be integrated with non-spirometric cardiopulmonary data collected by the device. Additionally, the sensor device can be operably coupled to a bioactive composition delivery device. Methods for using the sensor device and methods for making the sensor device also are disclosed.

Claims

1. A sensor device for obtaining physiological information, comprising:

an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, wherein the proximal housing end defines a respiratory port that is in fluid communication with the lumen;

an airflow port defined in the wall of the housing adjacent the distal end, wherein the airflow port is in fluid communication with the lumen and the respiratory port;

means for measuring pulmonary airflow housed within the lumen;

means for measuring non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity housed within the lumen; and

means for processing data operably coupled to both the means for measuring pulmonary airflow and the means for measuring non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of data obtained via the means for measuring pulmonary airflow and means for measuring non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the means for measuring pulmonary airflow comprises an electronic airflow sensor.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the means for measuring non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity comprises a microphone, blood oximeter, or heart monitor.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the means for processing data comprises a microprocessor.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the device is dimensioned for use by a human adult or child.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a lateral vent defined in the housing adjacent its distal end, the lateral vent in fluid communication with the housing lumen.

7. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising means for transferring data operably coupled to the means for processing data.

8. The sensor device according to claim 7, wherein the means for transferring data is a wireless data transmitter.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising means for directing airflow housed within the lumen.

10. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising means for measuring temperature operably coupled to the means for processing data.

11. The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein the means for measuring temperature is a digital thermometer or infrared thermometer.

12. The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein the means for measuring temperature is capable of measuring the body temperature of the subject.

13. The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of data obtained via the means for measuring pulmonary airflow, the means for measuring non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity, and the means for measuring temperature.

14. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is operably coupled to a means for delivering a bioactive composition.

31. A method for collecting physiological data about a subject, comprising obtaining cardiopulmonary data about a subject via the sensor device of claim 1.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the method for collecting physiological data about a subject comprises a method for diagnosing a disease or physiological condition of the subject.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the sensor device further comprises means for transferring data operably coupled to the means for processing data, and the method further comprises transmitting the cardiopulmonary data obtained by the device to an external repository.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein the subject is a human.

15. A sensor device for obtaining cardiopulmonary data, comprising:

an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, wherein the proximal housing end defines a respiratory port that is in fluid communication with the lumen;

an airflow port defined in the housing adjacent the distal end of the lumen, the airflow port being in fluid communication with the lumen;

an airflow sensor positioned within the lumen;

a non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor positioned within the lumen; and

a data processor operably coupled to both the airflow sensor and the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of cardiopulmonary data obtained via the airflow sensor and the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor compromises a microphone, blood oximeter, or heart monitor.

17. The device according to claim 15, further comprising a digital or infrared thermometer operably coupled to the data processor.

18. The device according to claim 15, further comprising a data transmitter operably coupled to the data processor.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the data transmitter is a wireless data transmitter.

20. The sensor device according to claim 15, further comprising a lateral vent defined in the housing adjacent its distal end, the lateral vent being in fluid communication with the housing lumen.

21. The sensor device according to claim 15, further comprising an airflow director positioned within the lumen.

22. The sensor device according to claim 15, wherein the sensor device is operably coupled to a bioactive composition delivery device.

23. A sensor device for obtaining physiological information, comprising:

an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, wherein the proximal housing end defines a respiratory port;

a first airflow tube defined within the lumen and having a first airflow tube diameter, wherein the first airflow tube is in fluid communication with the respiratory port;

a second airflow tube defined within the lumen and having a second airflow tube diameter, wherein the second airflow tube is in fluid communication with the respiratory port;

an airflow port defined in the wall of the housing adjacent the distal housing end, wherein the airflow port is in fluid communication with the first airflow tube, the second airflow tube, and the respiratory port; and

a pulmonary airflow sensor positioned within the lumen and capable of measuring airflow through the first airflow tube and second airflow tube.

24. The sensor device according to claim 23, wherein the first airflow tube diameter is less than the second airflow tube diameter.

25. The sensor device according to claim 23, further comprising a non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor.

26. The sensor device according to claim 25, further comprising a data processor operably coupled to pulmonary airflow sensor, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of data obtained via the pulmonary airflow sensor and the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor.

27. The sensor device according to claim 23, further comprising a data processor.

28. The sensor device according to claim 27, further comprising a temperature sensor operably coupled to the data processor, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of data obtained via the pulmonary airflow sensor and temperature sensor.

29. The sensor device according to claim 28, wherein the temperature sensor is capable of measuring the body temperature of a subject.

30. The sensor device according to claim 28, further comprising a data transmitter coupled to the data processor.

35. A method for collecting physiological data about a subject, comprising obtaining cardiopulmonary data about a subject via the sensor device of claim 26.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the method for collecting physiological data about a subject comprises a method for diagnosing a disease or physiological condition of the subject.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the sensor device further comprises a data transmitter operably coupled to the data processor, and the method further comprises transmitting the cardiopulmonary data obtained by the device to an external repository.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the subject is a human.

39. A method of making a sensor device for sensing cardiopulmonary activity, comprising:

providing an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen;

placing an airflow sensor inside the housing lumen and operably coupling the airflow sensor to a data processor; and

coupling a non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor to the housing and operably coupling the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor to the data processor, wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of cardiopulmonary data obtained via the airflow sensor and the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:

providing a first airflow tube displaced within the housing lumen, the first airflow tube having a first airflow tube diameter; and

providing a second airflow tube displaced within the housing lumen, the second airflow tube having a second airflow tube diameter, wherein the first airflow tube diameter is less than the second airflow tube diameter.

41. The method according to claim 39, further comprising operably coupling a temperature sensor to the data processor, wherein the temperature sensor is capable of measuring body temperature, and wherein the sensor device is capable of integrated collection of cardiopulmonary data obtained via the airflow sensor, the non-spirometric cardiopulmonary activity sensor, and the temperature sensor.