AMBIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY HARVESTING WITH WIRELESS SENSORS

• US 20110213208A1
• Filed: 02/28/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McKenna, Edward M., Lisogurski, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,874,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source

Abstract

A system and method for generating power via harvesting of ambient electromagnetic signals. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by energy generated via harvested electromagnetic signals.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor, comprising:

a power generating structure capable of generating power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals;

a sensing component capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters; and

wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters, wherein at least one of the sensing component or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the power generating structures.

2. The physiological sensor of claim 1, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the power generating structure, wherein the sensing component is at least partially powered by the energy storing structure.

3. The physiological sensor of claim 2 wherein the energy storing structure comprises a chargeable battery or a capacitor

4. The physiological sensor of claim 1, wherein the power generating structure comprises one or more antennas.

5. A power module for a physiological sensor, comprising:

a power generating structure capable of generating power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals; and

a connector capable of releasably connecting to a physiological sensor, wherein the connector is capable of transmitting power generated by the power generating structure to the physiological sensor when connected.

6. The power module of claim 5, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the power generating structure.

7. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a bracelet.

8. The power module of claim 7, wherein the power generating structure is affixed to the bracelet.

9. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a garment.

10. The power module of claim 9, wherein the power generating structure is integrated into the garment.

12. A method for powering a wireless sensor, comprising the acts of

generating power using a power generating structure in response to ambient electromagnetic signals;

and

providing the power to the sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the power is stored in a battery or capacitor prior to being provided to the sensor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the power is generated at a location separate from the sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the location separate from the sensor is at a bracelet or a garment worn by the patient.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising utilizing the power by the sensor to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters of the patient.

17. A monitoring system, comprising:

a wireless sensor, comprising;

a light generating component;

a light detecting component capable of detecting light generated by the light generating component;

a wireless transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting a signal based on the light detected by the light detecting component; and

a power generating component that generates power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the generated power is provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter; and

a monitor capable of receiving the signal.

18. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component is incorporated into the wireless sensor.

19. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component is separate from, but in communication with, the wireless sensor.

20. The monitoring system of claim 17, comprising an energy storage component capable of storing the generated power prior to the power being provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter.

21. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component comprises a plurality of antennas.