Thermoelectric energy harvesting with wireless sensors

• US 8,428,676 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McKenna, Edward, Li, Youzhi
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US12/751,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20110245638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• 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 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction

Abstract

A system and method for generating power from temperature differences across a thermoelectric energy harvester. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by energy generated via the thermoelectric energy harvester.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor, comprising:

a generating structure configured to generate power in response to differences in temperature, wherein a first portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact a patient'"'"'s tissue and a second portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact surrounding air;

a sensing component configured to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters; and

wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit the data related to the one or more physiological parameters, wherein the sensing component or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the power generating structure.

2. The physiological sensor of claim 1, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the power generating structure, wherein the sensing component is at least partially powered by the energy storing structure.

3. The physiological sensor of claim 2 wherein the energy storing structure comprises a chargeable battery or a capacitor.

4. The physiological sensor of claim 1, wherein the power generating structure comprise a thermoelectric energy harvester.

21. The physiological sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing component and the power generating component are incorporated into a sensor housing, and the sensor housing is configured to be positioned on the patient'"'"'s tissue.

22. The physiological sensor of claim 21, comprising at least two power generating components, wherein a first power generating component is positioned on a top side of the sensor housing and a second power generating component is positioned on a bottom side of the sensor housing.

5. A power module for a physiological sensor, comprising:

a power generating structure configured to generate power in response to differences in temperature, wherein a first portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact a patient'"'"'s tissue and a second portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact surrounding air; and

a connector capable of releasably connecting to a physiological sensor, wherein the connector is capable of transmitting power generated by the power generating structures to the physiological sensor when connected.

6. The power module of claim 5, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the power generating structure.

7. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a bracelet coupled to at least one of the power generating structure or the connector.

8. The power module of claim 7, wherein the power generating structure is affixed to the bracelet.

9. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a garment coupled to at least one of the power generating structure or the connector.

10. The power module of claim 9, wherein the power generating structure is integrated into the garment.

11. A method for powering a wireless sensor, comprising the acts of:

generating power using a power generating structure in response to differences in temperature, wherein a first portion of the power generating structure is positioned directly on a patient'"'"'s tissue and a second portion of the power generating structure is in direct contact with surrounding air; and

providing the power to the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor housing positioned on a patient, the sensor housing comprising a light generating component and a light detecting component.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the power is stored in a battery or capacitor prior to being provided to the sensor.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the power is generated at a location separate from the sensor housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the location separate from the sensor housing is at a bracelet or a garment worn by the patient.

15. The method of claim 11, comprising utilizing the power by the sensor to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters of the patient.

16. A monitoring system, comprising:

a wireless sensor, comprising;

a light generating component;

a light detecting component configured to detect light generated by the light generating component;

a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal based on the light detected by the light detecting component; and

a power generating component that generates power in response to differences in temperature, wherein a first portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact a patient'"'"'s tissue and a second portion of the generating structure is configured to directly contact surrounding air, and wherein the generated power is provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter; and

a monitor capable of receiving the signal.

17. The monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the light generating component, light detecting component, and the power generating component are incorporated into a housing of the wireless sensor.

18. The monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the light generating component and light detecting component are positioned within a sensor housing, and the power generating component is separate from, but in communication with, the sensor housing.

19. The monitoring system of claim 16, comprising an energy storage component capable of storing the generated power prior to the power being provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter.

20. The monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the power generating component comprises a thermoelectric energy harvester.

23. The monitoring system of claim 16, further comprising a charging control circuitry configured to determine whether a level of charge generated by the power generating component is sufficient to charge an energy storage component of the wireless sensor and to generate an error signal in response to determining that the level of charge is insufficient to charge the energy storage component.