Systems and Methods for Monitoring Physiological Parameters

• US 20140361147A1
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beijing Shunyuan Kaihua Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Physical Enterprises Inc.
• Inventors: Fei, Ming Shun
• Granted Patent: US 10,060,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• 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 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0407 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0488 with spectral filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/0257 portable

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for mounting optical sensors in physiological monitoring devices worn by a user to sense, measure, and/or display physiological information. Optical sensors may be mounted in the rear face of the device, emit light proximate a targeted area of a user'"'"'s body, and detect light reflected from the targeted area. The optical sensor may be mounted in a housing or caseback such that at least a portion of the optical sensor protrudes a distance from at least a portion of the housing. The protrusion distance may be adjustable such that a user may achieve a customized fit of the wearable device. Adjustment of the protrusion distance may also result in a customized level of contact and/or pressure between the optical sensor and the targeted area which may, in turn, result in more reliable and accurate sensing of physiological information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting a physiological parameter of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising an optical sensor, an inner surface of the housing configured for placement proximate a targeted area of a user'"'"'s body;

an attachment mechanism for securing the housing to the targeted area, the optical sensor comprising a light source and an optical detector, the optical sensor configured for placement adjacent the targeted area, at least a portion of the optical sensor extending a protrusion distance beyond the inner surface of the housing toward the targeted area,

wherein the protrusion distance is adjustable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises at least one light source and at least one optical detector.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical sensor is coupled to at least one circuit board.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, the apparatus further comprising:

a first planar extension of the at least one circuit board and a second planar extension of the at least one circuit board, the first planar extension spaced apart from the second planar extension; and

a plurality of electrical connections extending between the first planar extension and the second planar extension.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein one or more of the plurality of electrical connections are pogo pins.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the optical sensor portion is threadedly mated with the base portion such that rotation of the optical sensor portion in a first direction increases the protrusion distance and rotation of the optical sensor in a second direction decreases the protrusion distance.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the optical sensor portion comprises a central portion and an adjustment ring, the optical sensor located within the central portion and the adjustment ring comprising an annular body encircling the central portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotation of the optical sensor portion in the first and second directions comprises rotating the adjustment ring independent of the central portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more resilient members located between the first planar extension and the second planar extension, the one or more resilient members configured to urge the central portion toward the targeted area.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjustment ring comprises a radially inward extending lip configured to retain the central portion within the optical sensor portion against a force exerted by the one or more resilient members.

11. An apparatus for sensing a physiological parameter of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a caseback comprising a base portion and an optical sensor, the optical sensor configured for placement proximate a targeted area of a user'"'"'s body,

wherein at least a portion of the optical sensor protrudes beyond the base portion in a direction toward the targeted area, a distance the optical sensor protrudes beyond the base portion being adjustable.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical sensor comprises at least one light source and at least one optical detector.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical sensor is in communication with the base portion via one or more electrical channels.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an annular portion encircling the optical sensor, the distance the optical sensor protrudes beyond the base portion being adjustable based, at least in part, on a rotation of the annular portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of resilient members urging the optical sensor in the direction toward the targeted area.

16. An apparatus for monitoring a physiological parameter of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a base portion;

an annular portion; and

a central portion comprising an optical sensor, the optical sensor configured for placement proximate a targeted area of a user,

wherein a height of the central portion relative to the base portion is adjustable based, at least in part, on a rotation of the annular portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the annular portion comprises a lip extending radially inward from an inner surface of the annular portion, the lip at least partially overlapping the central portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the central portion comprises a recess at a radially outer edge of the central portion, the lip at least partially overlapping the recess.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising at least one resilient member urging the central portion against the lip.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the rotation of the annular portion is at least partially automated.