Wearable Light-Guiding Devices For Physiological Monitoring

• US 20150032009A1
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,989,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• 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 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 : Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 : for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 : Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 : using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• 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 5/0816 : Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 : Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 : Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 : Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• 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 5/165 : Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 : the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 : lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 : Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 : Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 : Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 : Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 : inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 : Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 : Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 : Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 : Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 : using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7214 : using signal cancellation, e.g. based on input of two identical physiological sensors spaced apart, or based on two signals derived from the same sensor, for different optical wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 : Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/725 : using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters A61B5/316 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 : Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 : Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 : User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 : specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 : for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 : Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 : Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A monitoring device configured to be attached to the body of a subject includes an outer layer and an inner layer secured together. The inner layer includes light transmissive material and has inner and outer surfaces. A base is secured to at least one of the outer and inner layers and includes an optical emitter and optical detector. A layer of cladding material is positioned near the outer surface of the inner layer, and at least one window is formed in the layer of cladding material that serves as a light-guiding interface to the body of the subject. The light transmissive material delivers light from the optical emitter to the body of the subject along a first direction and collects light from the body of the subject and delivers the collected light in a second direction to the optical detector. The first and second directions are substantially parallel.

Claims

1. A monitoring device configured to be attached to the body of a subject, comprising:

an outer layer and an inner layer secured together, the inner layer comprising light transmissive material, and having inner and outer surfaces;

a base secured to at least one of the outer and inner layers and comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector;

a layer of cladding material near the outer surface of the inner layer; and

at least one window formed in the layer of cladding material that serves as a light-guiding interface to the body of the subject, wherein the light transmissive material is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, wherein the light transmissive material is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter to the body of the subject along a first direction and to collect light from the body of the subject and deliver the collected light in a second direction to the at least one optical detector, wherein the first and second directions are substantially parallel.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one window is oriented substantially parallel with a light emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one window is oriented substantially parallel with a light detecting surface of the at least one optical detector.

4. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the outer layer and/or inner layer comprises adhesive in one or more locations that is configured to adhesively secure the device to the body of the subject.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive material comprises a lens region in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter that focuses light emitted by the at least one optical emitter.

6. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a light reflective material on at least a portion of one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the inner layer, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises first and second optical detectors, and further comprising a signal processor, and wherein at least a portion of light reflected by the light reflective material and detected by the second optical detector is processed by the signal processor as a motion noise reference for attenuating motion noise from signals produced by the first optical detector.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device further comprises at least one optical filter configured to selectively pass at least one optical wavelength for transmission into the body of the subject, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises first and second optical detectors, and further comprising a signal processor, and wherein at least a portion of light not passed by the optical filter and detected by the second optical detector is processed by the signal processor as a motion noise reference for attenuating motion noise from signals produced by the first optical detector.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the at least one optical detector.

9. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device.

10. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one window comprises at least two windows, and further comprising light blocking material positioned between the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector such that the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector are not in direct optical communication with each other.

11. A monitoring device configured to be attached to the body of a subject, comprising:

a first layer comprising light transmissive material, the first layer having inner and outer surfaces;

a base secured to the first layer and comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector;

a layer of cladding material near the inner and outer surfaces of the first layer; and

at least one window formed in the layer of cladding material that serves as a light-guiding interface to the body of the subject, wherein the light transmissive material is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, and is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter to the body of the subject along a first direction and to collect light from the body of the subject and deliver the collected light in a second direction to the at least one optical detector, wherein the first and second directions are substantially parallel.

12. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the at least one window is oriented substantially parallel with a light emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter.

13. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the at least one window is oriented substantially parallel with a light detecting surface of the at least one optical detector.

14. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the first layer comprises adhesive in one or more locations that is configured to adhesively secure the device to the body of the subject.

15. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the light transmissive material comprises a lens region in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter that focuses light emitted by the at least one optical emitter.

16. The monitoring device of claim 11, further comprising a light reflective material on at least a portion of one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the first layer, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises first and second optical detectors, and further comprising a signal processor, and wherein at least a portion of light reflected by the light reflective material and detected by the second optical detector is processed by the signal processor as a motion noise reference for attenuating motion noise from signals produced by the first optical detector.

17. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the monitoring device further comprises at least one optical filter configured to selectively pass at least one optical wavelength for transmission into the body of the subject, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises first and second optical detectors, and further comprising a signal processor, and wherein at least a portion of light not passed by the optical filter and detected by the second optical detector is processed by the signal processor as a motion noise reference for attenuating motion noise from signals produced by the first optical detector.

18. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the at least one optical detector.

19. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device.

20. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the at least one window comprises at least two windows, and further comprising light blocking material positioned between the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector such that the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector are not in direct optical communication with each other.