Physiological status monitoring system

• US 20120029299A1
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeRemer, Matthew J., Streeter, Richard B., Mielcarz, Craig D., McDonald, David, Lewis, Gordon S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,404 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/02 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 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0283 Stretchable printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/038 Textiles used as reinforcing materials for organic insulating substrates H05K1/0366
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09263 Meander

Abstract

A physiological monitoring system includes a sensor subsystem worn by a person including at least a one sensor. A dock is associated with the sensor subsystem and includes a first connector component electrically connected to the sensor. A portable transmitting unit is received in the dock and includes a transmitter and a connector component removeably mateable with the dock connector component to route sensor data to the transmitter.

Claims

1. A physiological monitoring system comprising:

a garment;

a band integrated with the garment including respiration sensing conductors and one or more additional conductors;

a heart rate sensor integral with the garment electrically connected to said additional conductor;

a dock attached to the garment, the dock including;

a receptacle comprising;

a cover secured to the band,

a printed circuit board associated with the cover and including an accelerometer and a first connector component electrically connected to said respiration sensing conductors and said additional conductor;

a housing attached to the garment and receiving the receptacle therein; and

a portable transmitting unit removably received in the dock and including a second connector component mateable with the first connector component, the portable transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit respiration, heart rate, and accelerometer data to a base unit.

2. The system of claim 1 further including padding behind the receptacle.

3. The system of claim 1 further including padding over the housing.

4. The system of claim 1 in which the housing has a concave shape.

5. The system of claim 1 further including fasteners securing the receptacle inside the housing.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the housing includes a tongue member and side rails upstanding therefrom receiving the portable transmitting unit therebetween.

7. The system of claim 6 in which the rails curve inwardly over the tongue member.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the portable transmitting unit includes a latch mechanism releasably engaging the portable transmitting unit in the housing.

9. The system of claim 8 in which said latch mechanism includes spaced spring loaded fingers releasably received in indentations in the housing.

10. The system of claim 1 in which the dock with the portable transmitting unit received therein is no larger than 4 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 3 inches high.

11. The system of claim 1 in which the second connector component includes pogo pins and the first connector component includes conductors for the pogo pins.

12. The system of claim 1 further including a seal member about the first connector component.

13. The system of claim 1 in which the cover is sewn and/or glued to the band.

14. The system of claim 1 in which the printed circuit board is potted in the cover.

15. The system of claim 1 in which the portable transmitting unit further includes a printed circuit board, a battery under the printed circuit board, and an antenna over the printed circuit board acting as a ground plane for the antenna.

16. A physiological monitoring system comprising:

a sensor subsystem worn by a person including a flexible band integrated with a shirt including at least one conductor;

a dock associated with the sensor subsystem including a first connector component electrically connected to the conductor in the band; and

a portable transmitting unit received in the dock including a transmitter and a connector component removeably mateable with the dock connector component to route heart rate data to the transmitter.

17. The system of claim 16 in which the band includes a conductor connected to a sensor and a pair of conductors configured to sense respiration.

18. They system of claim 17 in which the sensor is a heart rate sensor on the band.

19. The system of claim 16 in which the dock includes an accelerometer.

20. The system of claim 16 in which the dock includes:

a receptacle comprising;

a printed circuit board including the dock connector component, and

a cover over said printed circuit board and sealed with respect thereto, and

a housing receiving the receptacle therein.

21. The system of claim 20 further including padding behind the receptacle.

22. The system of claim 20 further including padding over the housing.

23. The system of claim 20 in which the housing has a concave shape.

24. The system of claim 20 further including fasteners securing the receptacle in the housing.

25. The system of claim 20 in which the housing includes a tongue member and side rails upstanding therefrom receiving the portable transmitting unit therebetween.

26. The system of claim 25 in which the rails curve inwardly over the tongue member.

27. The system of claim 20 in which the portable transmitting unit includes a latch mechanism releasably engaging the portable transmitting unit in the housing.

28. The system of claim 27 in which said latch mechanism includes spaced spring loaded fingers releasably received in indentations in the housing.

29. The system of claim 16 in which the dock with the power transmitting unit received therein is no larger than 4 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 3 inches high.

30. The system of claim 16 in which the portable transmitting unit connector component includes pogo pins and the dock connector component includes conductors for the pogo pins.

31. The system of claim 16 further including a seal member about the portable transmitting unit connector component.

32. The system of claim 20 in which the cover is sewn and/or glued to the flexible band.

33. The system of claim 20 in which the cover receives the printed circuit board therein.

34. The system of claim 16 in which the portable transmitting unit further includes a printed circuit board, a battery, and an antenna.

35. A physiological monitoring system comprising:

a worn sensor subsystem including at least one sensor;

a dock associated with the sensor subsystem including;

a receptacle comprising;

a printed circuit board including a dock connector component electrically connected to the sensor, and

a cover over said printed circuit board and sealed with respect thereto, and

a housing receiving the receptacle therein; and

a portable transmitting unit received in the dock including a transmitter and a connector component removeably mateable with the dock connector component to route sensor data to the transmitter.