NECKLACE-SHAPED PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITOR

• US 20140235978A1
• Filed: 02/19/2014
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Perminova Inc.
• Inventors: Banet, Matt, Pede, Susan, Dhillon, Marshal, Terry, Drew, Hunt, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,314,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• 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 5/0535 Impedance plethysmography for measuring blood flow A61B5/0295
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck

Abstract

The invention provides a neck-worn sensor (referred to herein as the ‘necklace’) that is a single, body-worn system that measures the following parameters from an ambulatory patient: heart rate, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, temperature, thoracic fluid levels, stroke volume, cardiac output, and a parameter sensitive to blood pressure called pulse transit time. From stroke volume, a first algorithm employing a linear model can estimate the patient'"'"'s pulse pressure. And from pulse pressure and pulse transit time, a second algorithm, also employing a linear algorithm, can estimate systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the necklace can measure all five vital signs along with hemodynamic parameters. It also includes a motion-detecting accelerometer, from which it can determine motion-related parameters such as posture, degree of motion, activity level, respiratory-induced heaving of the chest, and falls.

Claims

1. A necklace system for measuring a pulse oximetry (SpO2) value and configured to be worn around a patient'"'"'s neck, comprising:

a pulse oximetry system comprising a pulse oximetry circuit connected through an oximetry cable to an optical sensor comprising a first light source operating in the red spectral region, and a second light source operating in the infrared spectral region, the pulse oximetry circuit configured to generate a first waveform representing a signal generated with the first light source, and a second waveform representing a signal generated with the second light source;

a digital processing system comprising a microprocessor configured to receive the first and second waveforms, or processed versions thereof, and configured to process the first and second waveforms, or processed versions thereof, to generate an SpO2 value; and

,

a cable configured to be worn around the patient'"'"'s neck, the cable housing the pulse oximetry circuit and the digital processing system.

2. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the cable further comprises a plurality of wires that connect the pulse oximetry circuit to the digital processing system.

3. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a flexible circuit that connects the pulse oximetry circuit to the digital processing system.

4. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises at least two non-flexible circuit boards connected to each other with a flexible conductor.

5. The necklace system of claim 4, wherein the pulse oximetry circuit is comprised by a first non-flexible circuit board, and the digital processing system is comprised by a second non-flexible circuit board.

6. The necklace system of claim 4, wherein the flexible conductor is a flexible circuit.

7. The necklace system of claim 4, wherein the flexible conductor is a plurality of wires.

8. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the pulse oximetry circuit board comprises a first connector, and the oximetry cable comprises a second connector mated to the first connector.

9. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a clip configured to attach to the patient'"'"'s ear.

10. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises an adhesive component configured to attach to the patient'"'"'s ear.

11. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises the battery system.

12. The necklace system of claim 11, wherein the cable comprises a first connector and the battery system comprises a second connector, with the first connector mated to the second connector so that the battery system can be detachably removed.

13. The necklace system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is one of a Bluetooth transceiver and an 802.11-based transceiver.

14. The necklace system of claim 1, further comprising an ECG system.

15. The necklace system of claim 14, wherein the ECG system is housed in the cable.

16. The necklace system of claim 1, further comprising an impedance-measuring system.

17. The necklace system of claim 15, wherein the impedance-measuring system is housed in the cable.