Wearable biofeedback system

• US 20120229270A1
• Filed: 03/11/2011
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher Morley, Neil D. Blank
• Original Assignee: Christopher Morley, Neil D. Blank
• Inventors: Morley, Christopher, Blank, Neil D.
• Application Number:
  US12/932,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/585 Calibration of detector units

Abstract

A wearable biofeedback device is provided. The device preferably includes a glove structure and external display device. The glove has at least one sheath for receiving a digit. The glove and sheath include dorsal and palmer surfaces. The palmer surfaces include at least one sensor for acquiring a bio-signal. The dorsal surface includes a compartment for containing an electronics control module. The electronics module is contained in the compartment, and is in communication with the sensor. A circuit system, accommodated in the electronics module, includes an analog to digital converter, a processor for performing an analysis and translation of the digitized bio-signals into a biometric measurement data, a battery, and a wirelessly transmission module for performing wirelessly transmission to the external device. The external device is wirelessly communicated with the glove through the wireless transmission module, and is adapted to display the biometric measurement data in an audio or visual display.

Claims

1. A wearable biofeedback device for use in monitoring a physiological response while in motion, comprising:

(a) a structure having at least one sheath for receiving at least one digit, the glove and sheath including a dorsal and a palmer surfaces, the palmer surface including at least one sensor for acquiring a bio-signals;

(b) an electronics module in communication with the sensor;

(c) a circuit system, accommodated in the electronics module, including an analog to digital converter for receiving and digitizing the bio-signals acquired by the sensor, a processor for performing an analysis and translation of the digitized bio-signals into a biometric measurement data, a battery for providing power, and a wirelessly transmission module for performing wirelessly transmission, and

(d) an external device wirelessly communicated with the device structure through the wireless transmission module and adapted to display the biometric measurement data.

2. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the bio-signals are generated and acquired continuously.

3. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the bio-signals are generated and acquired intermittently.

4. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the biometric measurement data are used to guide the user to change from a current physiological condition to another physiological condition.

5. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising a glove backing membrane in the palmer surface.

6. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is further adapted for storage of the biometric measurement data.

7. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein external device is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a PDA or a wrist worn device, and the measurement data are translated into numerical, graphical, and audio outputs on the external device.

8. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is adapted for connecting the electronics module to a network.

9. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from a group consisting of physiological electrode, temperature sensing element, optically sensing element, or pressure sensing element.

10. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit system further comprises and authentication circuit adapted for user identification.

11. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the external device further comprises a user interface application algorithm.

12. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the electronics module further comprises a compartment and circuit for engaging and communicating with a memory card.

13. The wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a glove.

14. The hand-wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 8, wherein the network is the internet.

15. The hand-wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic module is connected to the external device through the network.

16. The hand-wearable wireless biofeedback device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor measures an electro dermal response using a pair of electrical contact and a pressure sensor so that the sensors acquire a bio-signal which is substantially free of an artifact.

17. A method for monitoring a biofeedback physiological response while in motion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a wearable glove structure having at least one sheath for receiving at least one digit, the glove and sheath including a dorsal and a palmer surfaces, the palmer surface including at least one sensor for acquiring a bio-signals, and a dorsal surface;

(b) providing an electronics module in communication with the sensor;

(c) providing a circuit system, accommodated in the electronics module, including an analog to digital converter for receiving and digitizing the bio-signals acquired by the sensor, a processor for performing an analysis and translation of the digitized bio-signals into a biometric measurement data, a battery for providing power, and a wirelessly transmission module for performing wirelessly transmission;

(d) providing an external device wirelessly communicated with the device structure through the wireless transmission module and adapted to display the biometric measurement data;

(e) sensing an acquired bio-signal with the sensor;

(f) digitizing the bio-signal with the circuit;

(g) processing the bio-signal into the biometric measurement data;

(h) wirelessly transmitting the biometric measurement data to the external device; and

(i) displaying the biometric measurement data on the external device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the dorsal surface includes a compartment and the electronics module is encased in the compartment.

19. The method according to claim 17 wherein the sensor measures an electro dermal response using a pair of electrical contact and at least one pressure sensor so that the sensors acquire a bio-signal, the pressure sensor acquires a pressure signal, and the circuit system analysis and translation of the digitized bio-signal is compared to digitized pressure signal.