Combination sensor for physiological parameters

• US 20050101872A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Drã¤Ger Safety AG & Company KGaA (Dragerwerk AG)
• Inventors: Dowson, Michael, Koch, Jochim, Sattler, Frank, McWilliams, Robin, Meyer, Jorg-Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 7,883,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/483
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals

Abstract

A compact combination sensor is provided for physiological parameters, which can be worn behind the ear. The combination sensor has a heat flux sensor (1) for detecting two temperatures (Th1, Th2) for determining the body core temperature (T_c), an acoustic sensor (2) for measuring the heart rate (HR) and for detecting speech signals, as well as a measured signal evaluating unit (4, 5, 7). A communications interface (8) is provided for transmitting the processed data from the measured signal evaluating unit (4, 5, 7) to a communications unit (9) are located in the sensor carrier (11).

Claims

1. A combination sensor for physiological parameters, the combination sensor comprising:

a communications unit;

a sensor carrier;

a heat flux sensor for detecting two temperatures for the determination of a body core temperature;

an acoustic sensor for measuring the heart rate and for detecting speech signals;

a measured signal evaluating unit;

a communications interface for transmitting the processed data from said measured signal evaluating unit to said communications unit, said heat flux sensor, said acoustic sensor, said measured signal evaluating unit and said communications interface being each located in said sensor carrier.

2. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein an additional measured signal evaluating unit is provided for calculating a characteristic number for the physiological stress from the body core temperature and the heart rate and for transmission to the communications unit.

3. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sensor carrier is embedded in a pliable plastic material and is adapted to the shape of the human ear.

4. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 3, wherein said pliable plastic material is silicone.

5. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein said communications unit sends signals to a receiving unit, which is equipped with a downstream display unit for displaying the heart rate, the body core temperature and/or the characteristic number for the physiological stress.

6. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sensor carrier has a loudspeaker which is connected with the communications interface and/or with the measured signal evaluating unit and can be activated.

7. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data transmission between the communications interface and the communications unit is wireless transmission.

8. A combination sensor for physiological parameters, the combination sensor comprising:

a communications unit;

a sensor carrier;

a temperature sensor for detecting two temperatures at or near the user and for the determination of a body core temperature;

an acoustic sensor for measuring the heart rate of the user and for detecting speech signals of the user;

a measured signal evaluating means for receiving signals from said temperature sensor and said acoustic senor and providing one or more processed data signals;

a communications interface for transmitting the processed data from said measured signal evaluating means to said communications unit, said heat flux sensor, said acoustic sensor, said measured signal evaluating means and said communications interface being each located in said sensor carrier.

9. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said measured signal evaluating means provides a processed data signal based on a signal received from said temperature sensor, provides a processed data signal based on a signal received from said acoustic sensor and calculates a characteristic number relating to physiological stress based on the body core temperature and the heart rate to provide a physiological stress processed data signal, wherein each of said processed data signal based on a signal received from said temperature sensor, said processed data signal based on a signal received from said acoustic sensor and said physiological stress processed data signal being transmitted to said communications unit.

10. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sensor carrier is embedded in a pliable plastic material of silicone, and is adapted to the shape of the human ear.

11. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a downstream display unit, wherein said communications unit sends signals to a receiving unit, which is equipped with said downstream display unit for displaying the heart rate, the body core temperature and/or the characteristic number for the physiological stress.

12. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a loudspeaker in said sensor carrier, said loudspeaker being connected with the communications interface and/or with the measured signal evaluating means for activation thereof.

13. A combination sensor in accordance with claim 8, wherein said data transmission between the communications interface and the communications unit is wireless transmission.