Device and method for transmitting physiologic data

• US 20050280531A1
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Schnitz, Benjamin A., Fadem, Kalford C.
• Application Number:
  US11/154,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/20 Workers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/01 Emergency care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/166 the sensor is mounted on a specially adapted printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/307 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/33 specially adapted for cooperation with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A wireless biopotential monitoring system composed of a wireless electrode module which can be attached to a disposable electrode strip. Such a device can be conveniently affixed to a patient'"'"'s skin and will transmit the physiological signals to a remote receiver where the signals can be monitored by a clinician. The device is powered by a fuel-air battery. The device would remain packaged in an airtight package until it needs to be applied at which time either the wounded soldier would apply the device himself/herself or it would be applied by another soldier or corpsman. The device would begin to measure brainwave activity, heart rate, and dissolved oxygen level. The device would also identify the wounded soldier'"'"'s location using the onboard GPS receiver. The physiologic data along with the soldier'"'"'s position would then be transmitted to a remote receiver.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a substrate affixable to the skin of a subject;

a pair of electrodes spaced upon an inner surface of the substrate to detect a biopotential of the subject;

a transducer attached to the inner surface of the substrate to detect a physical parameter of the subject;

a power supply attached to the substrate;

a communication interface; and

circuitry operatively configured to amplify and digitize the biopotential detected across the pair of electrodes, to access an identifier associated with the subject, to digitize the physical parameter of the subject, and to communicate a patient status on the communication interface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifier associated with the subject comprises a geographical location, the device further comprising a positioning sensing device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the positioning sensing device comprises a global positioning system receiver.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a temperature sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a dissolved oxygen sensor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a motion sensor.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises a pulse oximeter.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a light.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is further operably configured to modulate the light to indicate the patient condition.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a radio transmitter.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a two-way radio transceiver.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the circuitry is further operably configured to communicate the patient status over the two-way radio transceiver in response to an authenticated received command from the two-way radio transceiver.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the two-way radio transceiver comprises a spread spectrum local access network (LAN) transceiver.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising an audio input and audio output device attached to the substrate

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a flexible substrate having an adhesively coated undersurface.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a fuel-air battery.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a flexible substrate having an adhesively coated undersurface, the device further comprising a peel-off backing positioned to form a barrier between the fuel-air battery and activating air.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry further comprises a memory, a program contained in the memory, and a microprocessor operably configured to execute the program.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifier associated with the subject comprises a unique serial number assigned to the device.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifier associated with the subject comprises a unique serial number assigned to the subject, the device further comprising an input port operably configured to receive the unique serial number.

22. A device for monitoring the physiological condition of a person, comprising:

a flexible substrate including an adhesive undersurface positionable on the skin of the person;

a biosensor attached to the undersurface of the flexible substrate;

a battery attached to the flexible substrate;

a global positioning system receiver attached to the flexible substrate; and

circuitry powered by the battery and attached to the flexible substrate and operably configured to convert and transmit a sensed physiological signal from the biosensor as a digital signal with a sensed position from the global positioning system receiver.

23. A device, comprising:

a substrate affixable to the skin of a subject;

a pair of electrodes spaced upon on an inner surface of the substrate to detect a biopotential of the subject;

a battery attached to the substrate;

an emergency beacon;

a two-way communication interface including a spread spectrum transmitter; and

circuitry operatively configured to amplify and digitize the biopotential detected across the pair of electrodes, and to communicate a patient status on the two-way communication interface.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the emergency beacon comprises a nonvisible light source.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the circuitry is further operably configured to enable transmission and activation of the emergency beacon in response to authenticating a command received by the two-way communication interface.