PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING METHODS

• US 20120226111A1
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer, Steven Francis LeBoeuf
• Original Assignee: Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer, Steven Francis LeBoeuf
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward
• Application Number:
  US13/447,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20120226111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/07 Home care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 : for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 : for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 : for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 : Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 : Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 : the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 : lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 : Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 : Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 : Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 : Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 : Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 : mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 : using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 : Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 : Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 : Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 : Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 : Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed. This information is then used to support a variety of useful methods, such as clinical trials, marketing studies, biofeedback, entertainment, and others.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a subject exposed to a marketing effort, the method comprising:

obtaining physiological information from the subject via at least one physiological sensor associated with a monitoring device attached to the subject, wherein the physiological information comprises one or more of the following;

pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information;

obtaining subject motion information via at least one motion sensor associated with the monitoring device;

processing the subject motion information via at least one processor to identify footstep information, body motion information, head motion information, jaw motion information, or swallowing information; and

analyzing the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion via at least one processor to assess the subject'"'"'s response to the marketing effort.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes at least one transmitter and further comprising transmitting the physiological information and motion information to a device remotely located from the subject via the at least one transmitter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion comprises determining a stress level of the subject.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information, via at least one processor, into signals that can be heard and/or viewed by the subject.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one motion sensor is an accelerometer, an acoustic sensor, a MEMS motion sensor, or a gyroscope.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable monitoring device is an earpiece module.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information via at least one processor to remove corrupted signals associated with the subject motion information from the physiological information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one processor is associated with the monitoring device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one processor is associated with a device remote from the monitoring device.

10. A method of monitoring efficacy of a medical treatment of a subject, the method comprising:

obtaining physiological information from the subject via at least one physiological sensor associated with a monitoring device attached to the subject, wherein the physiological information comprises one or more of the following;

pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information;

obtaining subject motion information via at least one motion sensor associated with the monitoring device;

processing the subject motion information via at least one processor to identify footstep information, body motion information, head motion information, jaw motion information, or swallowing information; and

analyzing the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion via at least one processor to assess the subject'"'"'s response to the medical treatment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the medical treatment is a drug taken by the subject.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the monitoring device includes a dosimeter, and further comprising monitoring an amount of the drug taken by the subject via the dosimeter.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the medical treatment is physical therapy taken by the subject.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the medical treatment is a medical device used by the subject.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the monitoring device includes at least one transmitter and further comprising transmitting the physiological information and motion information to a device remotely located from the subject via the at least one transmitter.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein analyzing the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion comprises determining a stress level of the subject.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information, via at least one processor, into signals that can be heard and/or viewed by the subject.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising communicating corrective action information to the subject, via at least one processor.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one motion sensor is an accelerometer, an acoustic sensor, a MEMS motion sensor, or a gyroscope.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable monitoring device is an earpiece module.

21. The method of claim 10, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information via at least one processor to remove corrupted signals associated with the subject motion information from the physiological information.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one processor is associated with the monitoring device.

23. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one processor is associated with a device remote from the monitoring device.

24. A method of monitoring efficacy of a medical treatment of a subject, the method comprising:

obtaining physiological information from the subject via at least one physiological sensor associated with a monitoring device attached to the subject, wherein the physiological information comprises one or more of the following;

pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information;

obtaining environmental condition information in the vicinity of the subject via at least one environmental sensor associated with the monitoring device, wherein the environmental condition information comprises one or more of the following;

volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature;

obtaining subject motion information via at least one motion sensor associated with the monitoring device;

processing the subject motion information via at least one processor to identify footstep information, body motion information, head motion information, jaw motion information, or swallowing information; and

analyzing the processed physiological information and environmental condition information in context with the identified type of motion via at least one processor to assess the subject'"'"'s response to the medical treatment.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical treatment is a drug taken by the subject.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the monitoring device includes a dosimeter, and further comprising monitoring an amount of the drug taken by the subject via the dosimeter.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical treatment is physical therapy taken by the subject.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical treatment is a medical device used by the subject.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising transmitting the processed physiological information to a device remotely located from the subject via the at least one transmitter.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein analyzing the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion comprises determining a stress level of the subject.

31. The method of claim 24, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information, via at least one processor, into signals that can be heard and/or viewed by the subject.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising communicating corrective action information to the subject, via at least one processor.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one motion sensor is an accelerometer, an acoustic sensor, a MEMS motion sensor, or a gyroscope.

34. The method of claim 24, wherein the portable monitoring device is an earpiece module.

35. The method of claim 24, further comprising processing the obtained physiological information and environmental condition information via at least one processor to remove corrupted signals associated with the subject motion from the physiological information and environmental condition information.

36. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one processor is associated with the monitoring device.

37. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one processor is associated with a device remote from the monitoring device.

38. A method of monitoring a plurality of subjects, wherein a monitoring device is attached to each of the subjects, wherein each monitoring device includes at least one physiological sensor, and at least one motion sensor, the method comprising:

obtaining physiological information from each subject via a respective monitoring device physiological sensor, wherein the physiological information comprises one or more of the following;

pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information;

obtaining subject motion information from each subject via a respective monitoring device motion sensor;

processing the subject motion information to identify footstep information, body motion information, head motion information, jaw motion information, or swallowing information; and

using the processed physiological information in context with the identified type of motion for each of the subjects to generate at least one statistical relationship.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises an average value of one of pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information for the plurality of subjects.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises a statistical relationship between one of body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information for a particular subject and an average value of a corresponding one of pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information for the plurality of subjects.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises a statistical relationship between one of body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information for a particular subject and subject motion information for the particular subject

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the statistical relationship comprises an average value of physiological information for the plurality of subjects.

43. The method of claim 38, further comprising, for each subject, processing the obtained physiological information to remove corrupted signals associated with the subject motion information from the physiological information.

44. A method of monitoring a plurality of subjects, wherein a monitoring device is attached to each of the subjects, wherein each monitoring device includes at least one environmental sensor, and at least one motion sensor, the method comprising:

obtaining environmental information from each subject via a respective monitoring device environmental sensor, wherein the environmental condition information comprises one or more of the following;

volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature;

obtaining subject motion information from each subject via a respective monitoring device motion sensor;

processing the subject motion information to identify footstep information, body motion information, head motion information, jaw motion information, or swallowing information; and

using the processed environmental information in context with the identified type of motion for each of the subjects to generate at least one statistical relationship.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises an average value of one of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature for the plurality of subjects.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises a statistical relationship between one of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature in a vicinity of a particular subject and an average value of a corresponding one of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature for the plurality of subjects.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one statistical relationship comprises a statistical relationship between one of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollution, noise, light, and temperature for a particular subject and subject motion information for the particular subject

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising processing the obtained environmental information to remove corrupted signals associated with the subject motion information from the environmental information.