OPTICAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR AN OPTICAL MEASUREMENT

• US 20130296673A1
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Kassim, Md. Irwan bin Md., Thaveeprungsriporn, Visit
• Granted Patent: US 9,538,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0295 using plethysmography, i.e. measuring the variations in the volume of a body part as modified by the circulation of blood therethrough, e.g. impedance plethysmography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3144 for oxymetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3151 using two sources of radiation of different wavelengths G01N21/33 - G01N21/39 take precedence

Abstract

A reflectance-based optical measurement device and a method for a reflectance-based optical measurement are provided. The device comprises an illumination and detection assembly configured to output light to a surface portion of a user for measurement and to detect the output light reflected from said surface portion of the user as a signal; a coupling member configured for coupling in a cableless configuration to a personal mobile processing device; a measurement surface configured to allow access to said measurement surface by the surface portion of the user; wherein said access is provided by the optical device being holderless such that the surface portion of the user is allowed access to said measurement surface from all directions in a single plane; and further wherein said coupling member is arranged to transmit the detected signal to the personal mobile processing device.

Claims

1. A reflectance-based optical measurement device comprising:

an illumination and detection assembly configured to output light to a surface portion of a user for measurement and to detect the output light reflected from said surface portion of the user as a signal;

a coupling member configured for coupling in a cableless configuration to a personal mobile processing device;

a measurement surface configured to allow access to said measurement surface by the surface portion of the user;

wherein said access is provided by the optical device being holderless such that the surface portion of the user is allowed access to said measurement surface from all directions in a single plane; and

further wherein said coupling member is arranged to transmit the detected signal to the personal mobile processing device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said single plane is on a same plane as said measurement surface.

3. The device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the device being holderless allows an unshielded configuration whereby ambient light noise is transmitted with said detected signal.

4. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pressure assembly configured to detect an amount of pressure applied to the illumination and detection assembly by said surface portion of the user.

5. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a housing structure for housing the illumination and detection assembly and wherein the housing structure provides structural rigidity to the device.

6. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said cableless configuration comprises a coupling means of the coupling member in a form of a universal serial bus (USB) port or a 30-pin port.

7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal is a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the illumination and detection assembly comprises a red light emitting diode (LED), an infra-red LED or both.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) information of the user is derivable from the detected signal from both the red LED and the infra-red LED.

10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the measurement device functions as an accessory to the personal mobile processing device.

11. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the personal mobile processing device is one selected from a group consisting of a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile music player, a tablet computer, a netbook and a laptop.

12. A method for a reflectance-based optical measurement, the method comprising,

allowing access to a measurement surface by a surface portion of a user for measurement wherein the surface portion of the user is allowed access to said measurement surface from all directions in a single plane;

outputting light to said surface portion of the user for measurement,

detecting the output light reflected from said surface portion of the user as a signal;

coupling to a personal mobile processing device in a cableless configuration; and

transmitting the detected signal to the personal mobile processing device.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of detecting the output light is performed in an unshielded configuration whereby ambient light noise is transmitted in the transmitting step with said detected signal.

14. The method as claimed in claims 12 or 13, further comprising detecting an amount of pressure applied by said surface portion of the user.

15. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the step of outputting light comprises using a red light emitting diode (LED), an infra-red LED or both.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising deriving saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO2) information of the user from the detected signal from both the red LED and the infra-red LED.

17. A computer readable data storage medium having stored thereon computer code means for instructing a processor to execute a method for a reflectance-based optical measurement, the method comprising,

allowing access to a measurement surface by a surface portion of a user for measurement wherein the surface portion of the user is allowed access to said measurement surface from all directions in a single plane;

outputting light to said surface portion of the user for measurement,

detecting the output light reflected from said surface portion of the user as a signal;

coupling to a personal mobile processing device in a cableless configuration; and

transmitting the detected signal to the personal mobile processing device.

18. The computer readable data storage medium as claimed in claim 17, wherein the method comprises performing the step of detecting the output light in an unshielded configuration whereby ambient light noise is transmitted in the transmitting step with said detected signal.

19. The computer readable data storage medium as claimed in claims 17 or 18, wherein the method comprises using a red light emitting diode (LED), an infra-red LED or both, in the step of outputting light.

20. The computer readable data storage medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method further comprises deriving saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO2) information of the user from the detected signal from both the red LED and the infra-red LED.