Method and apparatus to sense hydration level of a person

• US 20070048224A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Angeline Hadiwidjaja, C Thomas, Peter P. Tong, Thomas Howell
• Original Assignee: Angeline Hadiwidjaja, C Thomas, Peter P. Tong, Thomas Howell
• Inventors: Howell, Thomas, Hadiwidjaja, Angeline, Tong, Peter, Thomas, C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,734,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4277 saliva secretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4869 Determining body composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0004 Screening or testing of compounds for diagnosis of disorders, assessment of conditions, e.g. renal clearance, gastric emptying, testing for diabetes, allergy, rheuma, pancreas functions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 37/005 Measurement methods not based on established scientific theories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A hydration sensor or sensing element configured to measure the hydration level of a user is disclosed. The sensing element can include a water-permeable material positioned in between two water-impermeable material. The sensing element can be coupled to a bottle of fluid, or a carrier with a timer. The sensing element can be incorporated into a handheld device. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. One or more additional sensors that do not measure hydration level of the user can be coupled to a hydration sensing element to determine the amount of fluid consumption for the user in different conditions.

Claims

1. A hydration sensing element for measuring the hydration level of a user, comprising:

a piece of water-permeable material having a first side and a second side, with a chemical compound coupled to the first side;

a first piece of water-impermeable material coupled to the first side of the water-permeable material, over the chemical compound; and

a second piece of water-impermeable material coupled to the second side of the piece of water-permeable material;

wherein saliva in the mouth of the user is allowed to reach the compound via the water-permeable material,

wherein when saliva is in contact with the compound, the color of the compound changes,

wherein at least a portion of one piece of the water-impermeable material is transparent so that if the compound changes color, the change is visible, and

wherein the hydration sensing element provides an indication to the user regarding fluid consumption based on the compound changing color.

2. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1, wherein the compound extends along a certain distance on the water-permeable material, and the indication depends on the extent of the color change along the certain distance.

3. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1, wherein saliva is allowed to reach the chemical compound either through an edge of the water-permeable material or an opening on the first or the second piece of water-impermeable material.

4. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1,

wherein at least two types of chemical compounds are coupled to the first side of the water-permeable material, and

wherein the color change for the at least two types of compounds is different as saliva gets in contact with them.

5. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the list consisting of a powder food dye, a non-toxic water-based paint, and a non-toxic and hypoallergenic compound.

6. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensing element is coupled to a bottle, which can carry a fluid for the user to drink.

7. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1,

wherein the sensing element is in a carrier, which includes a mechanical device configured to attach the carrier to the clothing worn by the user, and

wherein the carrier includes a timer, which is configured to keep track of time in measuring the hydration level of the user.

8. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensing element is connected to a plurality of similar elements to form a stack.

9. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 1

wherein the sensing element is configured to be handheld, and

wherein the sensing element further comprises electrical components to sense the change in color of the chemical compound.

10. A hydration sensing element for measuring the hydration level of a user, comprising:

a first piece of water-impermeable material;

a second piece of water-impermeable material;

a piece of water-permeable material having a first side and a second side, located in between the two pieces of water-impermeable material; and

a first and a second electrically-conducting lines coupled to the water-permeable material;

wherein saliva in the mouth of the user is allowed to reach the at least two lines, changing the resistance between them, and

wherein the hydration sensing element provides an indication to the user regarding fluid consumption based on the resistance between conducting lines.

11. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 10 further comprising a third electrically-conducting line,

wherein there is an opening on one piece of water-impermeable material to allow saliva to reach the conducting lines,

wherein at least a portion of each of the first and the second electrically-conducting lines is closer to the opening than the third conducting line,

wherein the resistance between the first and the second line is configured to establish a reference value, and

wherein the indication to the user regarding fluid consumption is based on the resistance between the third line and the first line.

12. A hydration sensing element as recited in claim 11 further comprising a compound in the vicinity of the conducting lines,

wherein the compound is configured to lower the resistance between the conducting lines in the presence of saliva.

13. A hydration sensor for a user comprising:

a hydration sensing element configured to measure an attribute regarding the saliva of the user; and

an environmental sensor configured to measure an attribute of the environment where the user is in,

wherein the hydration sensor provides an indication to the user regarding fluid consumption based on measurements from the hydration sensing element and the environmental sensor.

14. A hydration sensor for a user comprising:

a hydration sensing element configured to measure an attribute regarding the saliva of the user; and

another sensor configured to measure another attribute of the user,

wherein the hydration sensor provides an indication to the user regarding fluid consumption based on measurements from the hydration sensing element and from the another sensor.

15. A hydration sensor as recited in claim 14, wherein the another sensor is configured to measure an activity of the user.

16. A hydration measuring device for a user, comprising:

a channel with an opening that is configured to allow fluid to pass up the channel;

a series of electrical contacts provided along the channel;

an output indicator;

a pump configured to clear fluid from the channel; and

electrical circuitry operatively coupled to the electrical contacts and the output indicator,

wherein saliva in the mouth of the user is allowed to reach the electrical contacts via the opening, changing the resistance between at least two of them, and

wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to monitor at least two electrical resistances among the electrical contacts and to cause the output indicator to provide an indication to the user regarding fluid consumption of the user, based on the monitored resistances and time.

17. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 16, wherein the channel is in a printed circuit board and the electrical contacts are provided on the printed circuit board.

18. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 16, wherein the pump is a rubbery bulb-like structure.

19. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 16,

wherein the pump is a pressure pump,

wherein the hydration measuring device further comprises an inlet for air in the vicinity of the pump, and

wherein when the pump is released after being pressed, the air inlet allows air to be sucked back in.

20. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 16, wherein when the pump is pressed beyond a certain preset point, a switch is triggered, which activates measuring the resistance value between at least two contacts.

21. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 16 further comprising a memory device and an interface mechanism, with the memory device keeping track of measurements made, and the interface mechanism allowing information related to the measurements made to be transferred to another device.

22. A hydration measuring device as recited in claim 21, wherein based on the information related to the measurements, the another device transmits signals to the hydration measuring device regarding fluid consumption of the user.