MEDICAL MEASURING DEVICE

• US 20100056880A1
• Filed: 11/23/2007
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ingo Flore
• Original Assignee: Ingo Flore
• Inventors: Cho, Ok Kyung, Kim, Yoon Ok
• Granted Patent: US 9,603,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• 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 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring device for non-invasive determination of at least one physiological parameter, comprised of at least one diagnostic sensor unit to generate measuring signals, and comprised of an evaluation unit (140) for processing of measuring signals. It is the object of the present invention to provide a device for non-invasive determination of physiological parameters that is extended with regard to its functionality as compared with prior art in technology. More particularly, it is the object to create a device which can be utilized by a user in a comfortable and frequent manner to allow for a reliable and early recognition of diseases a swell as for a continuous monitoring of existing diseases. This task is solved by the present invention in that the diagnostic sensor unit is integrated into the keyboard (3) of a computer (2) or into a mobile device (10) of entertainment or communication technology or that it is connectible to these, with the diagnostic sensor unit comprising:

• • an optical measuring unit (100) comprising at least one radiation source (4) for irradiation of the examined body tissue (240) and at least one radiation sensor (5) for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue (240), and/or
  • an ECG unit (132) for capturing an ECG signal via two or more ECG electrodes (7), and/or.
  • a temperature or heat sensor (6), and/or
  • a bio-electrical impedance measuring unit (130).

Claims

1. A measuring device for non-invasive determination of at least one physiological parameter, comprised of a diagnostic sensor unit to generate measuring signals, and comprised of an evaluation unit (140) for processing of measuring signals,

wherein the diagnostic sensor unit is integrated into the keyboard (3) of a computer (2) or into a mobile device (10) of entertainment or communication technology or connectible to these, with the diagnostic sensor unit comprising:

an optical measuring unit (100) comprising at least one radiation source (4) for irradiation of the examined body tissue (240) and at least one radiation sensor (5) for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue (240), and/or

an ECG unit (132) for capturing an ECG signal via two or more ECG electrodes (7), and/or

a temperature or heat sensor (6), and/or

a bio-electrical impedance measuring unit (130).

2. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the optical measuring unit (100) comprises at least one radiation source (4) for irradiation of the examined body tissue (240) and at least one radiation sensor (5) for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue (240).

3. A measuring device as defined in claim 2, wherein the optical measuring unit (100) comprises at least one radiation source (4) for irradiation of the examined body tissue (240) and at least two radiation sensors (5) for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue (240), with the radiation sensors (5) being arranged at a different distance to the radiation source.

4. A measuring device as defined in claim 2, wherein at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) are provided for which irradiate different volume ranges of the examined body tissue (240).

5. A measuring device as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) have different spatial radiation characteristics.

6. A measuring device as defined in claim 5, wherein the evaluation unit (140) is equipped to determine the local oxygen consumption and/or blood glucose level based on the intensities of the radiation from the two radiation sources (4, 4′

) scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue (240).

7. A measuring device as defined in claim 6, wherein the bio-electrical impedance measuring unit (130) is comprised of one pair of feeder electrodes to supply electrical alternating current and one pair of measuring electrodes for impedance measurement, with the distance between the pair of feeder electrodes and the pair of measuring electrodes amounting to less than 10 cm, preferably to less than 1 cm.

8. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit (140) is equipped for the determination of local glucose concentration from the measuring signals of the diagnostic sensor unit.

9. A measuring device as defined in claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit (140) is furthermore equipped for the determination of the blood glucose level from the local glucose concentration.

10. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer (2) forms the evaluation unit (140), with the functions of the evaluation unit (140) being realized by a software running on said computer (2).

11. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein a microprocessor or microcontroller integrated into the device (10) of entertainment or communication technology forms the evaluation unit (140), with the functions of the evaluation unit (140) being realized by a software running on said microprocessor or microcontroller.

12. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein it is comprised of a diagnostic unit (150) for evaluation of the physiological parameters determined by means of the evaluation unit (140), with the functions of the diagnostic unit (150) being realized by a software.

13. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a display unit (9) connected to said computer (2) for display of determined physiological parameters.

14. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer (2) is equipped for transmission of measuring signals or of at least one physiological parameter via a data or communication net.

15. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the device (10) of entertainment or communication technology is equipped for transmission of measuring signals or of at least one physiological parameter via a data or communication net.

16. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer (2) is a mobile device, more particularly a notebook, laptop, palmtop or handheld.

17. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor for determination of ambient temperature in the environment of the measuring device.

18. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, further comprising another temperature sensor for determination of the body core temperature.

19. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit (140) is equipped for the determination of the breathing frequency from the measuring signals of the diagnostic measuring unit.

20. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic sensor unit forms a unit separated from the mobile device (10) of entertainment and communication technology and connected to the mobile device (10) via a cordless or cord-bound signal line.

21. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic sensor unit comprises a unit for the analysis of samples, like blood, urine, stools, breathing air, sweat, saliva, hair, hormone samples or the like.

22. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, wherein the optical measuring unit (100) and the temperature or heat sensor (6) are arranged in a common sensor casing (400), with a planar ECG electrode (7) being configured at the upper side of the sensor casing (400) and having at least one recess (410) to allow for the passage of the radiation emitted from the at least one radiation source (4).

23. A measuring device as defined in claim 22, wherein the planar ECG electrode (7) is comprised of a further recess (440) for the temperature or heat sensor (6).

24. A measuring device as defined in claim 22, wherein the radiation source (4), the radiation sensor (5) and the temperature or heat sensor (6) are arranged on a common printed circuit board within the sensor casing (400).

25. A measuring device as defined in claim 22, wherein the sensor casing (400) has dimensions of less than 1 cm×

1 cm×

1 cm.

26. A measuring device as defined in claim 23, wherein at least one additional planar electrode is configured at the upper side of said sensor casing (400), said electrode serving as feeder or measuring electrode of the impedance measuring unit (130).

27. A measuring device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a blood pressure measuring unit for measurement of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure.