Measuring system

• US 6,183,422 B1
• Filed: 02/25/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Rytky, Pekka, Korkala, Seppo
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/257,661
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 600/508, 600/509, 600/485, 600/481
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring system which measures the function of the heart from the user'"'"'s body non-invasively. The measuring system comprises at least one functional unit which may be a transmitter unit attached particularly around the user'"'"'s chest or a receiver unit worn on the wrist. The functional unit performs several functions by means of one of its induction coils (350): data transmission between two functional units, controlling of a sound signalling device (314), controlling of a light source (302) and charging of the power source.

Claims

1. A measuring system which is arranged to measure the function of at least one organ from the user'"'"'s body non-invasively and comprises at least one functional unit, including at least one of a transmitter unit and a receiver unit, wherein the at least one functional unit includes an induction coil for inductive interaction with another functional unit, a sound signaling device and a light source.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system also comprises a data transmission unit and transmitter unit and the functional unit is a receiver unit, the data transmission unit being arranged to interact inductively with the receiver unit, the induction coil of the receiver unit being arranged for providing in addition to inductive interaction between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit and inductive interaction between the data transmission unit and the receiver unit, inductive interaction with the sound signalling device and the light source.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a receiver unit comprising at least a reception amplifier and receiver;

power source;

processor;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the reception amplifier, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one inductive interaction at a time in the following manner;

when a signal is being received the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the reception amplifier and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is connected only to the reception amplifier, which is arranged to guide the amplified signal to the receiver and further to the processor.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the switches are transistor switches.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a receiver unit which comprises at least a transmission controller;

power source;

processor;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the transmission controller, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when signals are being sent, the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the transmission controller and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact only with the transmission controller, to which the processor is arranged to transfer the data to be sent.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a receiver unit which comprises at least a power source;

light source controller and light source based on electroluminescence;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the light source controller, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when the light of the light source is switched on, the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the light source controller and to the pole of the power source and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact both with the light source controller and the pole of the power source, which is arranged to generate the electric power needed by the light source.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a receiver unit which comprises at least a power source;

controller of a sound signalling device and piezoelectric sound signalling device;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the controller of the sound signalling device, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when a sound signal is given, the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the controller of the sound signalling device and to the pole of the power source and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact both with the controller of the sound signalling device and the pole of the power source, which is arranged to generate the electric power needed by the sound signalling device.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a transmitter unit which comprises at least a transmission controller;

power source;

processor;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the transmission controller, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when signals are sent, the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the transmission controller and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact only with the transmission controller, to which the processor is arranged to transfer the data to be sent.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a transmitter unit which comprises at least a power source;

light source controller and light source based on electroluminescence;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the light source controller, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when the light of the light source is switched on, the controller of the control switches is arranged to close the switches to the light source controller and the pole of the power source and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact both with the light source controller and the pole of the power source, which is arranged to generate the electric power needed by the light source.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a transmitter unit which comprises at least a power source;

controller of the sound signalling device and piezoelectric sound signalling device;

one induction coil;

control switches which open or close the connection of the induction coil at least to the controller of the sound signalling device, and a controller of the control switches which is arranged to control the switches so that the induction coil is used for only one function at a time in the following manner;

when a sound signal is given, the controller of the control switches of arranged to close the switches to the controller of the sound signalling device and to the pole of the power source and to keep the other switches open so that the induction coil is in contact both with the controller of the sound signalling device and the pole of the power source, which is arranged to generate the electric power needed by the sound signalling device.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a transmitter unit which comprises a chargeable power source, and the system comprises a charging device which comprises an inductance, and the transmitter unit comprises an inductance which is arranged to be used for charging the chargeable power source of the transmitter unit and for data transmission between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit by means of inductive interaction.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a receiver unit which comprises a chargeable power source, and the system comprises a charging device which comprises an inductance and is arranged to charge the chargeable power source of the receiver unit in inductive interaction with the receiver unit, and the receiver unit comprises an induction coil via which the receiver unit is arranged to perform at least two functions of the receiver unit.