Wearable human physiological data sensors and reporting system therefor

• US 7,153,262 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: BodyMedia Incorporated (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Kasabach, Christopher, Stivoric, John, Gemperle, Francine
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US10/313,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 600/306, 600/549, 600/557, 600/587, 600/595, 600/500, 600/503, 128903-905, 128/920, 128/921, 128923-925, 705 2- 4, 482 4- 9, 202/19, 374/100, 374 29- 30, 455/73
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/04 Constructional details of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes 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 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 : Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 : Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A sensor array and computing apparatus are located on the human body while maintaining said sensors and apparatus within a proximity zone of the body such that the mobility and flexibility of the body are not deleteriously affected by the presence of the apparatus. The system permits the dynamic monitoring of human physiological status data without substantial interference in human motion and flexibility. A processor is mounted within a pod location with or adjacent to a sensor pod location, or said processor may be electrically connected to said sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting and reporting data relating to at least one of a human physiological and environmental condition, said apparatus adapted to be placed within at least one defined, preselected space proximate to a human body such that said apparatus avoids interference with the motion and flexibility of said human body, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid pod having an inner surface adapted to accept an exterior surface of said human body and a convex outer surface, said inner surface of said pod having a convex portion adapted to be received by a generally concave portion of said exterior surface of said human body, said inner surface further having an outer edge, at least a portion of said pod being radiused at said outer edge of said inner surface;

at least one sensor detecting at least one of a physiological conditional data point and an environmental conditional data point, said at least one sensor being mounted to said pod;

processing means in electrical communication with said at least one sensor for converting said at least one data point from said at least one sensor into at least one of human physiological and environmental status output data; and

output means in electrical communication with said processing means for communicating said output data to a user.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible section, said rigid pod being supported by said flexible section.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, said at least one sensor being supported by said flexible section.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, said at least one sensor comprising two or more sensors, a first one of said two or more sensors being supported by said flexible section and a second one of said two or more sensors being supported by said rigid pod.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising wrapping means coupled to said flexible section for maintaining contact between said pod and said human body.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitting device for transmitting at least one of said at least one data point and said output data to a receiving and processing device.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said processing means and said transmitting means are mounted in said pod.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, said pod having a width dimension as measured between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of said pod, at least a portion of said first lateral side and said second lateral side each having a taper such that said width dimension gradually decreases in a direction from said inner surface to said outer surface.