WEARABLE VITAL SIGN MONITOR

• US 20180303419A1
• Filed: 04/24/2017
• Published: 10/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monovo, LLC
• Original Assignee: Monovo, LLC
• Inventors: Munoz, Jonathan, Johnstun, Robert, Taylor, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 10,548,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/04 Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02125 of pulse wave propagation time
• 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 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• 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 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• 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 5/7221 Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 : characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 : characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4427 : Device being portable or laptop-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4477 : using several separate ultrasound transducers or probes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A wearable vital sign monitor. The wearable vital sign monitor includes a band, where the band secures the wearable vital sign monitor relative to a user. The band includes an interior surface, the interior surface being the surface closest to the skin of the user and an exterior surface, the exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The wearable vital sign monitor also includes a first sensor array. The first sensor array is attached to the band and includes at least two sensors. The wearable vital sign monitor further includes a second sensor array. The second sensor array is attached to the band a fixed distance from the first sensor array and includes at least two sensors. The wearable vital sign monitor additionally includes an electronics module. The electronics module is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor array, receive a second signal from the second sensor array, and transmit the sensor data to an external device.

Claims

1. A wearable vital sign monitor, the wearable vital sign monitor comprising:

a band, wherein the band secures the wearable vital sign monitor relative to a user, the band including;

an interior surface, the interior surface being the surface closest to the skin of the user; and

an exterior surface, the exterior surface opposite the interior surface;

a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is attached to the band; and

a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is attached to the band a fixed distance from the first sensor; and

an electronics module, wherein the electronics module is configured to;

receive a first signal from the first sensor;

receive a second signal from the second sensor; and

transmit the sensor data to an external device.

2. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1 further comprising:

a gel pad, wherein the gel pad is placed on the interior surface of the band between the first sensor and the skin of the user.

3. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes an ultrasound sensors.

4. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 3, wherein the second sensor include includes ultrasound sensors.

5. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a battery.

6. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a logic device.

7. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a communication module.

8. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a 9-axis sensor.

9. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a temperature sensor.

10. The wearable vital sign monitor of claim 1, wherein the fixed distance is approximately three inches.

11. A remote vital sign monitoring system, the remote vital sign monitoring system comprising:

a wearable vital sign monitor, the wearable vital sign monitor including;

a band, wherein the band secures the wearable vital sign monitor relative to a user, the band including;

an interior surface, the interior surface being the surface closest to the skin of the user; and

an exterior surface, the exterior surface opposite the interior surface;

a first sensor array, wherein the first sensor array;

is attached to the band; and

includes at least two ultrasound sensors;

a second sensor array, wherein the second sensor array;

is attached to the band a fixed distance from the first sensor array; and

includes at least two ultrasound sensors; and

a first gel pad, wherein the first gel pad is placed on the interior surface of the band between the first sensor array and the skin of the user;

a second gel pad, wherein the second gel pad is placed on the interior surface of the band between the first sensor array and the skin of the user;

an electronics module, wherein the electronics module;

includes;

a battery;

a logic device;

a communications module;

a memory;

a 9-axis sensor;

a temperature sensor; and

a sensor input, the sensor input configured to;

 

receive a first signal from the first sensor array; and

 

receive a second signal from the second sensor array; and

a base station, the base station configured to;

send data to the communication module of the electronics module;

receive sensor data from the communication module of the electronics module; and

calculate one or more vital signs of the user based on the received sensor data.

12. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor array includes four sensors.

13. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the second sensor array includes four sensors.

14. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the base station includes:

a video display; and

an audio speaker.

15. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the base station includes a smart device.

16. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the base station includes:

a memory;

a logic device;

a battery; and

a communications module.

17. A remote vital sign monitoring system, the remote vital sign monitoring system comprising:

a wearable vital sign monitor, the wearable vital sign monitor includes;

a band, wherein the band secures the wearable vital sign monitor on the upper arm of a user, the band including;

an interior surface, the interior surface being the surface closest to the skin of the user; and

an exterior surface, the exterior surface opposite the interior surface;

a first sensor array, wherein the first sensor array;

is movable relative to the band;

is placed above the brachial artery of the user;

is attached to the band; and

includes at least two piezo-electric ultrasound transceivers;

a second sensor array, wherein the second sensor array;

is movable relative to the band;

is attached to the band a fixed distance from the first sensor array; and

is placed above the brachial artery of the user;

includes at least two piezo-electric ultrasound transceivers; and

a first gel pad, wherein the first gel pad is placed on the interior surface of the band between the first sensor array and the skin of the user;

a second gel pad, wherein the second gel pad is placed on the interior surface of the band between the first sensor array and the skin of the user;

an electronics module, wherein the electronics module;

includes;

a battery;

a logic device;

a communications module;

a memory;

a first 9-axis sensor;

a temperature sensor; and

a sensor input, the sensor input configured to;

 

receive a first signal from the first sensor array; and

 

receive a second signal from the second sensor array; and

a second 9-axis sensor, the second 9-axis sensor secured to the trunk of the user near the level of the user'"'"'s heart; and

a base station, the base station configured to;

send data to the communication module of the electronics module;

receive sensor data from the communication module of the electronics module; and

receive position data from the second 9-axis sensor;

calculate from the received sensor data and the position data at least;

blood pressure of the user; and

heart rate of the user.

18. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the ultrasound frequency produced by each of the piezo-electric ultrasound sensors in the first array of sensors is between 3 MHz and 7 MHz.

19. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the ultrasound frequency produced by each of the piezo-electric ultrasound sensors in the first array of sensors is between 3 MHz and 4 MHz.

20. The remote vital sign monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the piezo-electric ultrasound transceivers each include:

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter includes;

a first electrical connection; and

a second electrical connection;

a receiver, wherein the receiver includes;

a first electrical connection; and

a second electrical connection;

an isolation region, wherein the isolation region separates the transmitter and the receiver.