Apparatus and method for simultaneously measuring bio signals

• US 8,043,226 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2010
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Bae, Sang-kon, Kim, Hong-sig, Kim, Kyung-ho, Kim, Youn-ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): PORTER, JR, GARY A
• Application Number:
  US12/813,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 607/9, 607/18, 600/509, 600/510, 600/513, 600/554, 600/306, 600/319, 600/323, 600/324, 600/326, 600/334, 600/336, 600/412, 600/455, 600/456, 600/465, 600/468, 600/474, 600/483, 600/484, 600/529, 600/544, 600/546
• US Class Current: 600/554
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 Body fat

Abstract

An apparatus and method for simultaneously measuring at least two different bio signals without interference are provided. The apparatus includes a stimulus signal generating unit generating the stimulus signal to be applied to a human body, a sensing unit contacting the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied and from which at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals is detected, configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal or to detect each intermediate signal, and a signal acquisition unit separating and acquiring the first and second bio signals from each intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit.

Claims

1. A bio signal measurement apparatus for simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the apparatus comprising:

a stimulus signal generating unit which is configured to generate the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body;

a sensing unit which is adapted to contact the human body and includes a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and the sensing unit being configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

a signal acquisition unit which is configured to acquire the detected at least one intermediate signal and to separate the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit;

a first temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to a control signal and to apply a first stimulus signal in a first interval of each sampling period and a second stimulus signal in a second interval of each sampling period, to the human body via the sensing unit;

a second temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to the control signal and to provide a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the second interval, to the signal acquisition unit; and

wherein the signal acquisition unit comprises;

a first acquisition unit which is configured to obtain the first bio signal from a first intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit; and

a second acquisition unit which is configured to electrically separate and obtain the second bio signal from a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the second acquisition unit comprises;

a filtering unit which is configured to filter a frequency band in which the second bio signal exists from the second intermediate signal; and

an isolating unit which is configured to isolate the stimulus signal contained in the second intermediate signal which is filtered.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolating unit comprises one of a buffer, a photo coupler and a transformer.

3. A bio signal measurement apparatus for simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the apparatus comprising:

a stimulus signal generating unit which is configured to generate the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body;

a sensing unit which is adapted to contact the human body and includes a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and the sensing unit being configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal; and

a signal acquisition unit which is configure to acquire the detected at least one intermediate signal and to separate the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit, the apparatus further comprising;

a first temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to a control signal and applies a first stimulus signal in a first interval of each sampling period and a second stimulus signal in a second interval of each sampling period, to the human body via the sensing unit;

a second temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to the control signal and provides a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the second interval, to the signal acquisition unit; and

a controller which is configured to generate the control signal,

wherein the signal acquisition unit obtains the first bio signal from the first and second intermediate signals and obtains the second bio signal by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the signal acquisition unit:

a filtering unit which is configured to filter a frequency band in which the second bio signal exists from the second intermediate signal; and

an isolating unit which is configured to isolate the second stimulus signal contained in the second intermediate signal which is filtered.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the isolating unit comprises one of a buffer, a photo coupler and a transformer.

6. A bio signal measurement apparatus for simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the apparatus comprising:

a stimulus signal generating unit which is configured to generate the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body;

a sensing unit which is adapted to contact the human body and includes a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and the sensing unit being configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal; and

a signal acquisition unit which is configured to acquire the detected at least one intermediate signal and separates the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit, the apparatus further comprising;

a first temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to a control signal and to apply a first stimulus signal to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of each sampling period;

a second temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to the control signal and to provide a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of each sampling period to the signal acquisition unit; and

a controller which is configured to generate the control signal,

wherein a second stimulus signal is applied to the human body via the sensing unit in the first and second intervals to detect a third intermediate signal from the sensing unit, and the signal acquisition unit obtains the first bio signal from the first and third intermediate signals and obtains the second bio signal by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the signal acquisition unit:

a filtering unit which is configured to filter a frequency band in which the second bio signal exists from the second intermediate signal; and

an isolating unit which is configured to isolate the second stimulus signal contained in the second intermediate signal which is filtered.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the isolating unit comprises one of a buffer, a photo coupler and a transformer.

9. A bio signal measurement apparatus for simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the apparatus comprising:

a stimulus signal generating unit which is configured to generate the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body;

a sensing unit which is adapted to contact the human body and includes a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and the sensing unit being configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal; and

a signal acquisition unit which is configured to acquire the detected at least one intermediate signal and to separate the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected from the sensing unit, the apparatus further comprising;

a first temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to a control signal and applies first and second stimulus signals to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of a sampling period of a pulse signal for detecting the at least one intermediate signal;

a second temporal separating unit which is configured to operate in response to the control signal and to provide a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of the sampling period to the signal acquisition unit; and

a controller which is configured to generate the control signal,

wherein the signal acquisition units obtains two first bio signals from the first intermediate signal using first and second frequencies, respectively and obtains the second bio signal from the second intermediate signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stimulus signal generating unit comprises:

a first current generator which is configured to generate current of a first frequency to be used as the first stimulus signal;

a second current generator which is configured to generate current of a second frequency to be used as the second stimulus signal; and

a combining unit which is configured to combine the first and second stimulus signals.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sampling period includes a third interval for discharging interposed between the first interval and the second interval.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a resistor which is configured to externally discharge the first and second stimulus signals remaining in the human body, in the third interval.

13. A bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated in the human body, the method comprising:

providing a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit, the method further comprising;

applying a first stimulus signal in a first interval of each sampling period and a second stimulus signal in a second interval of each sampling period, to the human body, in response to a control signal; and

generating a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the second interval, in response to the control signal,

wherein the first bio signal is obtained from the first and second intermediate signals and the second bio signal is obtained by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

14. A bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated in the human body, the method comprising:

providing a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit, the method further comprising;

applying a first stimulus signal to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of each sampling period, in response to a control signal; and

providing a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of each sampling period, in response to the control signal,

wherein a second stimulus signal is applied to the human body via the sensing unit in the first and second intervals to detect a third intermediate signal from the sensing unit, and the first bio signal is obtained from the first and third intermediate signals and the second bio signal is obtained by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

15. A bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated in the human body, the method comprising:

providing a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occur simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit, the method further comprising;

applying a first and a second stimulus signal to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of each sampling period, in response to a control signal; and

providing a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of each sampling period, in response to the control signal,

wherein two first bio signals are obtained from the first intermediate signal the using a first and a second frequency, respectively, and the second bio signal is obtained from the second intermediate signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each sampling period includes a third interval for discharging between the first interval and the second interval.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the method comprising:

detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, by using a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting the at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the acquiring and separating the first and second bio signals comprises;

applying a first stimulus signal in a first interval of each sampling period and a second stimulus signal in a second interval of each sampling period to the human body via the sensing unit in response to a control signal;

generating a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the second interval;

obtaining the first bio signal from the first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit; and

electrically separating and obtaining the second bio signal from the second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the electrically separating and obtaining the second bio signal further comprises;

filtering a frequency band in which the second bio signal exists from the second intermediate signal; and

isolating the second stimulus signal contained in the second intermediate signal which is filtered.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the method comprising:

detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, by using a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting the at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the method further comprises;

applying a first stimulus signal in a first interval of each sampling period and a second stimulus signal in a second interval of each sampling period, to the human body, in response to a control signal; and

providing a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the second interval, in response to the control signal,

wherein the first bio signal is obtained from the first and second intermediate signals and the second bio signal is obtained by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the method comprising:

detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, by using a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting the at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the method further comprises;

applying a first stimulus signal to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of each sampling period, in response to a control signal; and

providing a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of each sampling period, in response to the control signal,

wherein a second stimulus signal is applied to the human body via the sensing unit in the first and second intervals to detect a third intermediate signal from the sensing unit, and the first bio signal is obtained from the first and third intermediate signals and the second bio signal is obtained by electrically separating the second intermediate signal.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program for performing a bio signal measurement method of simultaneously measuring a first bio signal generated by a human body in response to a stimulus signal and a second bio signal naturally generated by the human body, the method comprising:

detecting at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, by using a sensing unit adapted to contact the human body, including a plurality of electrodes to which the stimulus signal is applied, the plurality of electrodes detecting the at least one intermediate signal containing the first and second bio signals from the human body that occurs simultaneously, and configured to share at least one of the plurality of electrodes to apply the stimulus signal to the human body and to detect the at least one intermediate signal including the first bio signal and the second bio signal;

generating the stimulus signal to be applied to the human body; and

acquiring the detected at least one intermediate signal and separating the first bio signal and the second bio signal from the at least one intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit,

wherein the method further comprises;

applying a first and a second stimulus signal to the human body via the sensing unit in a first interval of each sampling period, in response to a control signal; and

providing a first intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in the first interval and a second intermediate signal detected by the sensing unit in a second interval of each sampling period, in response to the control signal,

wherein two first bio signals are obtained from the first intermediate signal using a first and a second frequency, respectively, and the second bio signal is obtained from the second intermediate signal.