Physiological Monitoring Devices Having Sensing Elements Decoupled from Body Motion

• US 20150366475A1
• Filed: 01/24/2014
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yukka Magic LLC
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: Just, Steven Matthew, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Splinter, Robert, LeBoeuf, Steven Francis
• Granted Patent: US 10,076,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• 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 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• 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: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type

Abstract

A monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, and a sensing element movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element. The sensor band has a first mass, and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage, and the biasing element decouples motion of the band from the sensing element. A monitoring device includes a band that is configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject. One or more biasing elements extend outwardly from the band inner surface and are configured to contact the appendage. A sensing element is secured to the band inner surface. The one or more biasing elements decouples motion of the band from the sensing element.

Claims

1. A monitoring device, comprising:

a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, wherein the sensor band has a first mass; and

a sensing element movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element, wherein the biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage, the sensing element comprising;

a first sensor configured to sense physiological information from the appendage of the subject; and

a second sensor configured to sense motion of the sensing element with respect to the sensor band.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor comprises at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the appendage and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent to the target region.

4. The monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the at least one energy emitter comprises at least one optical emitter and wherein the at least one detector comprises at least one optical detector.

5. The monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the sensing element comprises a surface having at least one window through which energy passes from the at least one energy emitter, and/or through which energy is collected by the at least one detector.

6. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass, and wherein the first mass is greater than or equal to about 1.25 times the second mass.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the biasing element comprises a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the biasing element and/or sensing element.

8. The monitoring device of claim 2, further comprising:

a second band configured to be secured to the appendage of the subject in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the sensor band, wherein the second band comprises a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the at least one detector; and

at least one member connecting the sensor band and second band.

3. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. A monitoring device, comprising:

a band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, wherein the band comprises an inner surface and an outer surface;

a plurality of biasing elements extending outwardly from the inner surface in circumferential spaced-apart relationship, wherein the biasing elements are configured to contact the appendage; and

a sensing element secured by at least one of the plurality of biasing elements.

11. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the appendage and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region and/or a region adjacent to the target region.

13. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the at least one energy emitter comprises at least one optical emitter and wherein the at least one detector comprises at least one optical detector.

14. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the sensing element comprises a surface having at least one window through which energy passes from the at least one energy emitter, and/or through which energy is collected by the at least one detector.

15. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the sensing element extends outwardly from the band inner surface such that the at least one energy emitter and at least one detector do not contact the appendage when the band is secured around the appendage.

16. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the sensing element extends outwardly from the band inner surface such that the at least one energy emitter and at least one detector contact the appendage when the band is secured around the appendage.

17. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the sensing element is secured to the band inner surface between adjacent biasing elements.

18. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the sensing element is secured to the band inner surface within a biasing element.

12. (canceled)

19. A monitoring device, comprising:

a band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, wherein the band comprises an inner surface and an outer surface;

an elongated biasing element having opposite ends, the biasing element secured to the band inner surface such that the biasing element extends substantially around a circumference of the band inner surface, wherein the biasing element comprises a surface that contacts the appendage; and

a sensing element secured to the band inner surface.

20. The monitoring device of claim 19, wherein one or more portions of the biasing element surface have a textured configuration.

21. The monitoring device of claim 20, wherein the textured configuration comprises a plurality of raised bumps.

22. The monitoring device of claim 20, wherein the plurality of raised bumps are arranged in an array and/or have alternating shapes.

24. The monitoring device of claim 19, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the appendage and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region and/or a region adjacent to the target region.

26. The monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the at least one energy emitter comprises at least one optical emitter and wherein the at least one detector comprises at least one optical detector.

27. The monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the sensing element comprises a surface having at least one window through which energy passes from the at least one energy emitter, and/or through which energy is collected by the at least one detector.

30. The monitoring device of claim 19, wherein the biasing element opposite ends are in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, and wherein the sensing element is secured to the band inner surface between the adjacent, spaced-apart biasing element ends.

23. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

28-29. -29. (canceled)