SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

• US 20180310893A1
• Filed: 06/19/2018
• Published: 11/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gmeci, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gmeci, LLC
• Inventors: Everman, Bradford R, Bradke, Brian Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,765,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• 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 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/245 specially adapted for magnetoencephalographic [MEG] signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4809 Sleep detection, i.e. determining whether a subject is asleep or not
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• 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 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B

Abstract

A system for measuring physiological parameters includes a housing mounted to an exterior body surface of a user. The system includes at least a sensor attached to the housing and contacting the exterior body surface at a locus on a head of the user, the at least a sensor configured to detect at least a physiological parameter and transmit an electrical signal as a result of the detection. The system includes an alert circuit communicatively coupled to the at least sensor, the alert circuit configured to receive at least a signal from the at least a sensor, generate an alarm as a function of the at least a signal, and to transmit the alarm to a user-signaling device communicatively coupled to the alert circuit.

Claims

1. A system for measuring physiological parameters, the system comprising:

a housing mounted to an exterior body surface of a user;

at least a sensor attached to the housing and contacting the exterior body surface at a locus on a head of the user, the at least a sensor configured to detect at least a physiological parameter and transmit an electrical signal as a result of the detection;

an alert circuit communicatively coupled to the at least sensor, the alert circuit configured to receive at least a signal from the at least a sensor, generate an alarm as a function of the at least a signal, and to transmit the alarm to a user-signaling device communicatively coupled to the alert circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a substantially rigid outer shell.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a headset

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is inserted between a helmet worn on a head of the user and the exterior body surface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a mask.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a substantially pliable seal disposed against the exterior body surface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor contacts a locus on the exterior body surface where substantially no muscle is located between the exterior body surface and an underlying bone structure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a physiological parameter further comprises at least a circulatory parameter.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least a circulatory parameter further comprises a blood oxygen level.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least a circulatory parameter includes a pulse rate.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least a circulatory parameter includes a blood pressure.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor is configured to detect a plethysmograph of at least a bodily fluid of the user.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor further comprises a near-infrared spectroscopy sensor

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a sensor includes a neural activity sensor

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the neural activity sensor further comprises an electroencephalographic sensor.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the neural activity sensor further comprises a magnetoencephalographic sensor.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert circuit is further configured to detect a physiological alarm condition and generate the alarm as a function of the physiological alarm condition.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein detection of the physiological alarm condition further comprises determination, by the alert circuit, that the user is losing consciousness.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein detection of the physiological alarm condition further comprises determination that the user is falling asleep.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein detection of the physiological alarm condition further comprises determination that the at least a physiological parameter is falling below a threshold level.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein detection of the physiological alarm condition further comprises:

detection of at least an environmental parameter; and

detection of the physiological alarm condition as a function of the at least an environmental parameter.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein detection of the physiological alarm condition further comprises:

comparing the at least a physiological parameter to at least a baseline value; and

detecting the physiological alarm condition as a function of the comparison.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein detection further comprises receiving a typical user value and using the typical user value as the baseline value.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein detection further comprises:

collecting a plurality of samples of the at least a physiological parameter; and

calculating the baseline value as a function of the plurality of samples.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a user-signaling device further comprises a bone-conducting transducer in vibrational contact with a bone beneath the exterior body surface.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a user-signaling device further comprises an audio output device.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a user-signaling device further comprises a light output device.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a user-signaling device further comprises a vehicular display.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a user-signaling device further comprises a helmet display.

30. A method of measuring at least a physiological parameter, the method comprising:

positioning a physiological parameter measuring device comprising a housing, at least a sensor, and an alert circuit communicatively coupled to the at least a sensor on a user, wherein positioning further comprises;

mounting the housing on an exterior body surface of the user; and

placing the at least a sensor in contact with the exterior body surface;

measuring, by the alert circuit and using the at least a sensor, at least a physiological parameter;

detecting, by the alert circuit, a physiological alarm condition, as a function of the at least a physiological parameter; and

generating, by the alert circuit, at least an alarm as a function of the detected physiological alarm condition.