Systems and Methods for Optical Sensor Arrangements

• US 20140378844A1
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Published: 12/25/2014
• 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 10,058,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• 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 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for mounting optical sensors in a physiological monitoring device worn by a user to sense, measure, communicate, and/or display physiological information. The monitoring devices may be embodied as, for example, a fitness band, a bracelet, a watch, or some other wearable device such as an activity tracker, a health, wellness, or sleep monitor, or an athletic training device. The device may comprise one or more light sources and optical detectors. Optical lenses may be mounted in a face of the device for partially receiving or containing the light sources and optical detectors. The devices and methods described herein may optically isolate the light source(s) from the optical detector(s) to ensure the accurate and reliable detection and measurement of physiological information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing and measuring at least one physiological parameter of a person, the apparatus comprising:

at least a portion of the apparatus configured for contacting a targeted tissue region;

an optical sensor comprising at least one light source for illuminating the targeted tissue region and at least one optical detector for receiving optical energy reflected from the targeted tissue region,

at least one lens associated with the at least one light source that directs light to the targeted tissue region; and

at least one lens associated with the at least one optical detector that passes light reflected from the targeted tissue each,

wherein each lens is located in the portion of the apparatus contacting the targeted tissue region.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each light source and each optical detector is associated with, and at least partially contained by, a separate associated lens that individually couples light between the optical sensor and the targeted tissue region.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a front face, a rear face, and an interior region defined between the front and rear faces, the interior region comprising the optical sensor,

wherein each lens is at least partially positioned in an associated opening that extends through the rear face so that light is coupled between the optical sensor and the targeted tissue region.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the targeted tissue region is located on a person'"'"'s arm and the apparatus is configured to be worn with at least a portion of the rear face in contact with the person'"'"'s arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each light source is a light emitting diode and each optical detector is a photodiode.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each lens includes a recess sized for at least partially containing the light emitting diode or photodiode associated with the respective lens.

7. A device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a person, the device comprising:

an elongate body comprising a front face, a rear face, and an interior region defined between the front and rear faces, at least a portion of the rear face configured for contacting a targeted area of a person'"'"'s body;

an optical sensor comprising at least one light source for illuminating at least a portion of the targeted area and at least one optical detector for receiving reflected light from the targeted area;

at least one lens associated with the at least one light source for allowing light to pass between the light source and the targeted area;

at least one lens associated with the at least one optical detector for allowing light to pass between the optical detector and the targeted area.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein each light source and each optical detector is associated with a dedicated lens that allows light to pass between the optical sensor and the targeted area.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the targeted area is located on a person'"'"'s arm.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the rear face comprises a plurality of openings, each opening configured to receive a respective lens, each lens comprising at least a portion configured for contact with the targeted area.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein each lens comprises a cavity for at least partially receiving an associated light source or optical detector.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising at least one circuit board, the circuit board contained within the interior region in spaced apart juxtaposition with the rear face, each light source and optical detector being mounted to the at least one circuit board and extending into the cavity of an associated lens.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising at least one barrier optically separating the at least one light source and the at least one optical detector.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one barrier is substantially “

T-shaped,”

a laterally-extending portion of the at least one barrier optically separating the at least one light source and the at least one optical detector, a vertically-extending portion of the at least one barrier optically separating the lens associated with the at least one light source and the lens associated with the at least one optical detector.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor comprises a pair of light sources spaced apart from one another, the at least one optical detector being positioned at least partially between the pair of light sources.

16. The device of claim 15 further comprising a first barrier optically separating a first light source from the at least one optical detector and a second barrier optically separating a second light source from the at least one optical detector.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising circuitry for processing a signal supplied by the optical detector and for communicating at least one physiological parameter to a user.

18. A wearable apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological parameter, the apparatus comprising:

a body comprising a front face, a rear face, and an interior region defined between the front and rear face;

one or more light emitters, each operable for directing light energy in a predetermined direction;

an emitting lens structured for at least partial and individual containment of each light emitter, each emitting lens configured to allow the transmission of light from a respective light emitter to a targeted area;

one or more optical detectors, each operable for producing an electrical signal representative of light detected at that optical detector;

a receiving lens structured for at least partial and individual containment of each optical detector, each receiving lens configured to allow the transmission of light from the targeted area to a respective optical detector,

wherein each emitting lens and each receiving lens is mounted in an associated aperture formed in the rear face of the body, the rear face configured for contact with the targeted area.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising a pair of light emitters spaced apart from one another, the at least one optical detector being located at least partially between the pair of light emitters.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the rear face further comprises a pair of barriers extending from the rear face toward the interior region, one of the barriers configured to optically isolate one of the pair of light emitters and the at least one optical detector, the other barrier configured to optically isolate the other of the pair of light emitters and the at least one optical detector.