Wearable human physiological and environmental data sensors and reporting system therefor

• US 20070038038A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• 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 8,403,845 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 method and apparatus is provided to detect the physiological and environmental status of an individual. The apparatus comprises a pod which is worn 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. The system permits the dynamic monitoring of human physiological and environmental status data without substantial interference in human motion and flexibility. Sensors and processors are mounted within said pod.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting and reporting data relating to the status of an individual, said apparatus comprising a wearable pod having an inner and an outer surface, said pod adapted to be worn by said individual and to avoid interference with the motion and flexibility of said individual'"'"'s body, said apparatus, comprising:

a first sensor detecting physiological data of said individual;

a second sensor mounted to said pod, said second sensor detecting environmental data of said individual;

a processor in electrical communication with said first and second sensors for converting said data from said sensors into human physiological and environmental status output data; and

an output device in electrical communication with said processor for communicating said output data to a user.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processor is mounted to said pod.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first sensor is mounted to said pod.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second pod, wherein said processor is mounted to said second pod.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein at least one of said first and said second sensors is mounted to said second pod.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pod comprises a concave inner surface adapted to accept a generally convex exterior surface of said human body and a convex outer surface.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pod comprises a convex inner surface adapted to accept a generally concave exterior surface of said human body.

8. A method of determining the placement of a wearable human physiological status monitor on the body of a wearer comprising the steps of:

determining an area of the body that has a low size variance across a set of individuals;

determining whether said area has low movement and flexibility;

determining a proximate space around said human body that is perceptually considered part of the body by the individual; and

providing a pod having a physiological sensor therein to be worn on said area within said proximate space.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said area comprises the cranial area, collar area, the tricep, the forearm, the rib cage, the waist, the hip, the thigh, the shin, and the top of the foot area.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein said proximate space is between 0 and 5 inches from the body.