PROTECTIVE GLOVE WITH WIRELESS PHYSIOLOGICAL SENSOR

• US 20110004074A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: G, Yuvanya, Natesan, VigneshKumar, V, Arunraj, Shanmugasundaram, Abarna
• Application Number:
  US12/497,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20110004074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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 5/02 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves

Abstract

A multi-finger protective glove carries one or more physiological sensors in respective fingers. An elastomeric sleeve is positioned in a respective sensor carrying finger to maintain the sensor in proper position relative to a user'"'"'s finger inserted into the glove, adjacent to at least one of the sensors. The sensor can be attached to a distal end of the sleeve, adjacent an end of the finger of the glove.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a multi-finger glove;

at least one elastomeric sleeve position in one finger of the glove; and

at least one physiological sensor carried in the finger of the glove, adjacent to an end thereof.

2. An apparatus as claim 1 where the sensor is selected from a class which includes at least a pulse oximeter, a thermal sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a pulse rate sensor.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 which includes a transmitter carried by the glove.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 where the transmitter is coupled to the sensor by a fiber optic link.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4 where the sensor is attached to an end of the sleeve.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 which includes a displaced monitoring unit in wireless communication with the transmitter.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 where the monitoring unit includes a computer readable storage medium where information as to sensor output is stored for processing.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 where the monitoring unit includes a visual display device and the monitoring unit presents on the display device information as to one or more physiological parameters of an individual wearing the glove.

9. An apparatus as in claim 7 with a plurality of gloves in wireless communication with the monitoring unit, each of the gloves carries at least one physiological sensor in wireless communication with the unit via a respective glove carried transmitter.

10. An apparatus as in claim 4 which includes a plurality of physiological sensors carried in one of, a common finger of the glove, or, different fingers of the glove.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 where at least some of the sensors are attached to a respective elastomeric sleeve.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11 where each of the sensors is coupled to the transmitter.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 which includes a battery coupled to at least some of the sensors and the transmitter.

14. An apparatus as in claim 9 with a plurality of gloves in wireless communication with the monitoring unit, each of the gloves carries at least one physiological sensor in wireless communication with the unit via a respective glove carried transmitter.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14 which includes at least one glove with a plurality of physiological sensors carried in that glove in one of, a common finger of the glove, or, different fingers of the glove.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15 which includes a plurality of elastomeric sleeves carried in respective fingers of that glove.

17. A multi-finger protective glove comprising:

a glove body from which extends a plurality of protective finger enclosures into which a user can insert a hand and associated fingers;

at least one elastomeric sleeve position in one finger enclosure of the glove, the sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end which abuts an end of the finger enclosure;

at least one physiological sensor selected from a class which includes at least a pulse oximeter, a thermal sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a pulse rate sensor where the at least one sensor is affixed to the elastomeric sleeve adjacent to a selected location in the finger enclosure.

18. A protective glove as in claim 17 where the sensor is affixed to the distal end of the sleeve.

19. A protective glove as in claim 17 which includes a plurality of physiological sensors, at least some of which are carried in respective finger enclosures of the glove.

20. A protective glove as in claim 19 which includes a transmitter, carried by the glove and coupled to the sensors.