Methods, Devices And Systems For Photoplethysmography At The Nasal Columella

• US 20140275930A1
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xhale Assurance, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Xhale, Inc.
• Inventors: Rich, David, Kersey, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,724,002 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0873 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0878 using temperature sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, systems and methods of using the same. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of obtaining a photoplethysmography (PPG) signals include securing a PPG sensor onto a nasal columella of an individual; and obtaining a PPG signal from the PPG sensor.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, comprising:

securing a PPG sensor onto a nasal columella of an individual; and

obtaining a PPG signal from the PPG sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPG sensor is configured such that an emitter on the PPG sensor emits radiation through a portion of the nasal columella.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a detector on the PPG sensor detects light transmitted through or reflected from the nasal columella.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPG sensor comprises a secondary respiration detector.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the PPG sensor comprises two secondary respiration detectors.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a first secondary respiration detector is configured to detect airflow from a first nostril, and wherein a second secondary respiration detector is configured to detect airflow from a second nostril.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the secondary respiration detector comprises a thermistor.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the secondary respiration detector comprises a capnometer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPG sensor comprises a flexible molded polymeric clip body.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a first end portion of the polymeric clip body secures to a first portion of nasal columella tissue and a second end portion of the polymeric clip body secures to a second end portion of nasal columella tissue.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the clip body generally conforms to the curvature of the nasal columella.

12. A PPG sensor comprising a clip body configured to secure to the nasal columella.

13. The PPG sensor of claim 12, wherein a surface of the clip body is shaped to conform to a curvature of the nasal columella.

14. The PPG sensor of claim 12, wherein the clip body is configured to extend into the nostril a distance in a range of 4 to 8 mm.

15. The PPG sensor of claim 12, further comprising a secondary respiration detector.

16. The PPG sensor of claim 15, wherein the secondary respiration detector comprises a thermistor.

17. The PPG sensor of claim 12, further comprising at least two secondary respiration detectors.

18. The PPG sensor of claim 17, wherein a first secondary respiration detector is positioned on the sensor such that it is exposed to airflow from a first nostril and a second secondary respiration detector is positioned on the sensor such that it is exposed to airflow from a second nostril.

19. The PPG sensor of claim 12, wherein a first end portion of the clip body secures to a portion of nasal columella tissue adjacent to a first nostril of an individual and a second end portion of the clip body secures to a portion of nasal columella tissue adjacent to a second nostril of the individual.

20. The PPG sensor of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises:

(a) A clip body comprising a first end portion and a second end portion;

(b) a flex circuit attached or adjacent to the clip body, wherein the flex circuit comprises an emitter and a detector; and

(c) an elastomeric sleeve that envelops (1) at least part of the first end portion and at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto;

or (2) at least part of the second end portion and at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto.

21. The PPG sensor of claim 20, wherein the elastomeric sleeve compressively envelops (1) the at least part of the first end portion and the at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto;

or (2) the at least part of the second end portion and the at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto.

22. The PPG sensor of claim 21, wherein no adhesive is present between the clip body and the flex circuit, between the clip body and the elastomeric sleeve or between the flex circuit and the elastomeric sleeve.

23. The PPG sensor of claim 12, wherein the clip body is a flexible molded polymer clip.

24. A system for monitoring a subject, comprising a clip body configured to secure to the nasal columella;

and a computer communicatingly connected to the PPG sensor.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the computer comprises a processing module configured to process PPG signals from the PPG sensor to determine the respiratory rate of the subject.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the computer comprises a processing module configured to process PPG signals from the PPG sensor to monitor blood flow in the subject.

27. A PPG sensor comprising (1) a clip body configured to secure to the nasal columella and (2) an extended sensor portion configured to secure at least one emitter and/or at least one detector to a secondary nasal location.

28. The PPG sensor of claim 28, wherein the secondary nasal location is the tip of the nose.

29. A method of obtaining a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, comprising:

securing at least one emitter and/or at least one detector onto a nasal columella of an individual;

securing at least one emitter and/or at least one detector to a secondary nasal location; and

(a) obtaining a PPG signal from at least one detector at the columella and/or at least one detector at the secondary nasal location.