Arrangement for monitoring physiological signals

• US 6,024,575 A
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul C. Ulrich
• Original Assignee: Paul C. Ulrich
• Inventors: Ulrich, Paul Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rovnak, John Edmund
• Application Number:
  US09/106,827
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 36/141, 128/905, 434/236, 434/262, 600/306, 600/544, 600/545, 600/546, 600/547, 600/548, 600/549, 600/552, 600/557
• US Class Current: 434/236
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/146 provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal

Abstract

Insertable insoles of flexible air-injected elastomer material with one or both said insoles containing a lithium-battery power supply (27), a microprocessor with an internal timer, an analog/digital converter, and an actuator (28), connected by at least one wire (29) to a plurality of electronic sensors (12) wrapped around the toes of the foot. The actuator vibrates a plurality of raised nodes (20) on the insole(s) with the speed and intensity of vibrations in either direct or inverse response to the level of stress experienced, as measured by physiological signals such as galvanic skin response. A thin foam lining covers the top surface of the elastomer material and cushions the feet. In addition, a washable, stretchable nylon lining (30) separates the foam from the sole of the bare foot, but a small elastic hole (32) near the toes permits said wire and sensors to extend to the skin of the toes. Once either or both of the insoles are attached to the toes, the feet together with the insoles are inserted into a pair of socks or stockings.

Claims

1. A method of conveying physiological information, comprising the steps of:

a. detecting physiological signals representing said physiological information;

b. converting said signals into mechanical vibrations that vary in a correlated manner in response to said signals, provided said signals exceed a threshold;

c. providing said mechanical vibrations by discreet means, readily discernible only to an intended recipient of said information; and

d. providing said mechanical vibrations by unobtrusive means, thereby allowing said intended recipient to move freely about while monitoring said information in the course of a variety of everyday activities.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method detects said signals using at least one electronic sensor as a means of measuring at least one of a plurality of inaudible physiological signals comprising galvanic skin response, skin temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, electromyography, electroencephalography, and electro-oculography.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one electronic sensor is attached to a part of a foot, or to other parts of the body beneath clothing of said wearer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said method actuates said mechanical vibrations by means of a diagnostic circuit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said diagnostic circuit comprises a microprocessor.

6. The method of claim 2, further including a wireless means of transmitting to a remotely situated means of actuating the source of said mechanical vibrations.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

adjusting said threshold in conformance with requirements of said intended recipient.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said method provides said mechanical vibrations by means of separate and independent vibration of a plurality of nodes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said mechanical vibrations comprise a plurality of motions and techniques including gliding strokes, kneading, rubbing, percussion, and varying speed and intensity of movement.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said method involves the massage of reflexology points along the soles of the feet.

11. A device for providing physiological information comprising:

a. at least one electronic sensor for measuring physiological signals of a wearer; and

b. means for providing information on said signals to said wearer or to other persons by means of mechanical vibrations;

c. means for providing mechanical vibrations to said wearer or another person;

d. wherein said mechanical vibrations vary in a correlated manner in response to said signals, provided that said signals exceed a threshold;

e. wherein said means for providing mechanical vibrations provide said mechanical vibrations so as to be readily discernible only to the recipient of said information; and

f. wherein said means for providing mechanical vibrations are unobtrusive, allowing said intended recipient to move freely about while monitoring said information in the course of a variety of everyday activities.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said at least one electronic sensor measures changes in at least one of a plurality of inaudible physiological signals comprising galvanic skin response, skin temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, electromyography, electro-encephalography, and electro-oculography.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one electronic sensor is attached to parts of the feet or to other parts of the body beneath clothing of said wearer.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said means for providing said mechanical vibrations is actuated by means of a diagnostic circuit.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said diagnostic circuit comprises a microprocessor.

16. The device of claim 12, further including a wireless means for transmitting to a remotely situated means for actuating the source of said mechanical vibrations.

17. The device of claim 12, further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in conformance with requirements of said intended recipient.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein said means for providing mechanical vibrations comprises means for providing separate and independent vibration of a plurality of nodes.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said vibration comprises a plurality of motions and techniques including gliding strokes, kneading, rubbing, percussion, and varying speed and intensity of movement.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said device involves the massage of reflexology points along the soles of the feet.