Apparatus for collecting a physiological signal

• US 8,538,511 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vicon Healthcare International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vicon Healthcare International Incorporated
• Inventors: Kuo, Terry B. J., Chen, Jeng-Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/451,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20130172766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 600/519, 600/301, 600/302, 600/481, 600/502, 600/509, 600/515
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal, comprising a main body, including two devices for taking out the physiological signal from a finger at each side of the main body by pressing the finger therein, each device for taking out the physiological signal from a finger including: a finger contacting element, provided thereon an electrode unit for taking out an electronic signal of the physiological signal at the time of being contacted by the finger; a receiving element, provided on an upper side of the finger contacting element; and an elastic element, being connected to the receiving element, wherein each elastic element is opened an angle at each receiving element according to elastic force of each elastic element, and each finger inserts into a space and engages with the finger contacting element and the receiving element.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal, comprising a main body, being in a shape of circular arc and including two devices for taking out the physiological signal from a finger at each side of the main body, each device for taking out the physiological signal from a finger including:

a finger contacting element, being in a shape of circular arc and including thereon an electrode unit for taking out an electronic signal of the physiological signal from the finger, wherein an internal portion of the finger contacting element is in a sunken shape;

a receiving element, being in a shape of circular arc and provided on an upper side of the finger contacting element; and

an elastic element, being connected to the receiving element, wherein each elastic element is adapted to open an angle at each receiving element according to elastic force of each elastic element and insertion force of each finger, allowing said each finger to easily insert into a space and engage with the finger contacting element and the receiving element.

2. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein an internal part of the main body includes a circuit device to be connected to the electrode unit for analyzing the physiological signal.

3. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a spring, natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

4. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 2, wherein the circuit device includes an amplifier, a band-pass filter, an analogue/digital converter, and a chip for analyzing the physiological signal.

5. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, further comprising a cloud platform to be connected therewith, wherein the cloud platform includes a storage element for storing data of the physiological signal and proceeds with comparison and analysis as the physiological signal is transferred thereto.

6. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein the physiological signal is a heart rate variability signal.

7. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein the main body provides at its front side a panel for displaying the data of the physiological signal.

8. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein the main body provides at its back side a battery unit for providing electric power for the improved apparatus.

9. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 1, wherein the main body is installed with a slot for being connected to a universal serial bus (USB).

10. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 9, wherein the USB is connected to a computer, PDA or mobile phone.

11. The improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal of claim 9, further comprising a second slot for connecting to one electrode switching port electrically linked to at least an electrode piece, which is attached to skin of a user for taking out the physiological signal.