Blink monitor for detecting blink occurrence in a living subject

• US 20060077064A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gail D. Baura
• Original Assignee: Gail D. Baura
• Inventors: Baura, Gail D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/20 Workers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1103 Detecting eye twinkling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/297 for electrooculography [EOG]: for electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/726 using Wavelet transforms
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a blink monitor for detecting blink occurrence in a living subject. For example, a blink sensor comprising a snap or tab electrode is positioned over one or more eye muscles known to assist in closing the eye. The electrode detects the electrical current in the muscle(s) and transmits a signal representative of the electrical current to a signal processing device. The device processes the signal to determine the occurrence of a blink, thereby producing an accurate blink electromyogram (EMG). The device and/or a caregiver may advantageously monitor the blink EMG, before and/or after occurrence processing, to determine the onset or actual occurrence of a patient condition. In an embodiment, the device monitors the blink EMG to determine the onset or occurrence of drowsiness in, for example, a driver, pilot, captain, doctor, soldier, or the like. In an embodiment, a caregiver monitors the blink EMG for one or more muscles in one or both eyes to determine the onset or occurrence of eye disease, such as, for example, strabismus.

Claims

1. A method of determining a patient condition including at least one of drowsiness and ocular disorder, the method comprising:

receiving at least one signal from a sensor capable of detecting electrical activity in one or more muscles in a body of a person, the electrical activity being indicative of a blink occurrence;

determining which data from the at least one signal represents the blink occurrence; and

evaluating the blink occurrence data to determine an onset or actual occurrence of a patient condition, wherein the patient condition includes at least one of drowsiness and an ocular disorder.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating an alarm when the blink occurrence data indicates the onset or occurrence of drowsiness.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating an alarm comprises activating at least one of an audio and visual alarm perceptible to the person to attempt to restore alertness.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating an alarm comprises informing emergency personnel.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating an alarm comprises informing management personnel.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating an alarm comprises informing police personnel.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating an alarm comprises informing emergency personnel.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing a caregiver when the blink occurrence data indicates the onset or occurrence of the ocular disorder.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ocular disorder comprises strabismus.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises wirelessly receiving.

11. A device for identifying a blink occurrence within a blink electromyogram (EMG), the device comprising:

an electrode pair configured to be positioned with respect to one or more muscles used to blink at least one eye in order to output a signal indicative of a changing biopotential associated with the one or more muscles; and

a processing device configured to receive the signal and identify blink occurrences within the signal.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the processing device further comprises a processor and a memory accessible by the processor configured to store instructions capable of causing the processor to filter the signal using wavelet transforms and to apply logic rules to the filtered signal to determine a patient condition.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the patient condition comprises drowsiness.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the patient condition comprises an ocular disorder.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the wavelet transform comprises Haar coefficients.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein instructions are further capable of causing the process to evaluate blink-blink intervals.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising an interface to a host monitor.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the electrodes of the electrode pair are spaced about one (1) cm from one another.

19. A blink monitoring system comprising:

a sensor comprising an electrode pair capable of outputting a signal indicative of a biopotential related to blink occurrences, a transmitting device capable of wirelessly transmitting the signal, and a flexible circuit housing the electrode and the transmitting device; and

a monitor capable of determining where the blink occurrences appear in the signal.

20. The blink monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the sensor further comprises a converter capable of converting the signal to digital data, wherein the transmitting device transmits the digital data.

21. The blink monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the sensor further comprises an amplifier capable of amplifying the signal.

22. The blink monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the electrode pair comprises a tab electrode.

23. The blink monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the electrodes of the electrode pair are spaced about one (1) cm from one another.

24. A monitor for monitoring the alertness of a person, the monitor comprising:

a receiver configured to receive data indicative of a blink electromyogram (EMG) of a person;

a processor configured to determine blink occurrences within the blink EMG and evaluate the blink occurrences to determine an onset or occurrence of diminished alertness; and

an alarm signal capable of activating an alarm configured to rectify the diminished alertness in the person.

25. The monitor of claim 24, wherein the monitor is adapted for use in a vehicle and the person comprises a driver.

26. The monitor of claim 25, wherein the alarm signal is provided to the vehicle and devices associated with the vehicle provide at least one of audio and visual alarm.

27. The monitor of claim 24, wherein the monitor is adapted for use in a vessel and the person comprises a captain.

28. The monitor of claim 24, wherein the monitor is adapted for use in an aircraft and the person comprises a pilot.

29. The monitor of claim 24, wherein the monitor is adapted for use in a combat setting and the person comprises a solider.