Physiological stress detector device and system

• US 7,650,176 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SPO Medical Equipment, Ltd. (SPO Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SPO Medical Equipment, Ltd. (SPO Global, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sarussi, Israel, Heimenrath, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US11/612,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 600/322, 600/323, 600/330, 600/336, 600/324, 600/502
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle

Abstract

A non-invasive device and a system for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant is provided. The device includes a housing unit configured to be integrated within apparatus, which is attachable proximate to a limb being measured. The housing unit includes at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of the limb, a light detector spaced apart from the light source and sensitive to intensity levels of the light reflected from the limb and a processing unit for processing the intensity signals received from the light detector for producing output signals. The device may determine the level of the blood constituent and may also use this level for monitoring and/or to activate an alarm when the level falls outside a predetermined range.

Claims

1. A non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising:

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith; and

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector for producing output signals, said processing unit comprising;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises mapping means for mapping the intensity of said AC signal component along the surface of said limb to detect regions of said limb having a reduced blood flow.

3. A non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising:

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith; and

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector for producing output signals,

wherein processing the intensity signals is done through a signal analog path, said processing unit comprising;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

4. A system comprising:

a non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising;

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith;

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector for producing output signals; and

a transmitter configured to transmit said output signals to a receiver at a remote location; and

a receiver configured to indicate an alert when the blood saturation or heart pulse rate falls outside of a pre-determined range;

wherein said processing unit comprises;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, and wherein the amplified DC signal component is converted by a digital to analog converter to an analog signal and is subtracted from the intensity signals, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

5. A system comprising:

a non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising;

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith;

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector through a signal analog path thereby producing output signals; and

a transmitter configured to transmit said output signals to a receiver at a remote location; and

a receiver configured to indicate an alert when the blood saturation or heart pulse rate falls outside of a pre-determined range;

wherein processing the intensity signals is done through a signal analog path, said processing unit comprising;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

6. A system comprising:

a non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising;

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector_spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith, said light detector being unaffected by shunted or coupled light from said light source;

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector through a signal analog path thereby producing output signals; and

a transmitter configured to transmit said output signals to a receiver at a remote location; and

a receiver configured to indicate an alert when the blood saturation or heart pulse rate falls outside of a pre-determined range;

wherein said processing unit comprises;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, and wherein the amplified DC signal component is converted by a digital to analog converter to an analog signal and is subtracted from the intensity signals, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein said processor develops a control signal when said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor is established in said second stage, said control signal is able to shut off said light source.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said control signal conserves energy by reducing the operational duty cycle of said at least one light source.

9. The system according to claim 6 wherein said first and second gain amplification factors are determined by said processor in an iterative process by adjustably setting a gain amplification factor and measuring a dynamic voltage range of said output signals to determine if said voltage range falls within a predetermined window established by said processor.

10. A non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising:

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith, said light detector being unaffected by shunted or coupled light from said light source;

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector through a signal analog path thereby producing output signals;

wherein processing the intensity signals is done through a signal analog path, said processing unit comprising;

first and second amplifiers for amplifying said intensity signals, each in accordance with a respective first and second gain amplification factor; and

a processor for automatically determining said first and second gain amplification factors in adjustable fashion;

wherein during a first stage, said first and second amplifiers amplify a DC signal component of said intensity signals in accordance with predetermined first and second gain amplification factors, said amplified DC signal component being subtracted from said intensity signals at an input of said first amplifier, to isolate an AC signal component of said intensity signals,

and wherein during a second stage, said second amplifier amplifies said isolated AC signal component in accordance with said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor,

said processing unit producing output signals in accordance with said isolated AC signal component and said DC signal component and calculating in accordance therewith, at least one blood constituent level.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein said processor develops a control signal when said adjustably-determined second gain amplification factor is established in said second stage, said control signal is able to shut off said light source.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein said control signal conserves energy by reducing the operational duty cycle of said at least one light source.

13. The device according to claim 10 wherein said first and second gain amplification factors are determined by said processor in an iterative process by adjustably setting a gain amplification factor and measuring a dynamic voltage range of said output signals to determine if said voltage range falls within a predetermined window established by said processor.

14. A system comprising:

a non-invasive device a non-invasive device for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant, comprising;

a housing unit configured to be integrated within an apparatus, said apparatus being configured to be attachable proximate to a limb being measured, said apparatus comprising one of a group of devices including a bracelet, a sock, a ribbon and a diaper, said housing unit comprising;

at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of said limb, the light being reflected from said limb;

a light detector spaced_apart from said at least one light source and being sensitive to intensity levels of said reflected light for producing intensity signals in accordance therewith, said light detector being unaffected by shunted or coupled light from said light source;

a processing unit for processing said intensity signals received from said light detector through a signal analog path thereby producing output signals; and

a transmitter configured to transmit said output signals to a receiver at a remote location; and

a receiver configured to indicate an alert when the blood saturation or heart pulse rate falls outside of a pre-determined range;

wherein said processing unit comprises mapping means for mapping the intensity of said AC signal component along the surface of said limb to detect regions of said limb having a reduced blood flow.