System and methods for self-powered, contactless, self-communicating sensor devices

• US 8,611,828 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faranak Zadeh, Wolfgang Richter
• Original Assignee: Faranak Zadeh, Wolfgang Richter
• Inventors: Richter, Wolfgang, Zadeh, Faranak
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US13/174,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20120004523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 455/67.11, 455/66.1, 455/100, 455/63.1, 455/3.06, 607/46, 310/339, 310/319, 324/727
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• 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 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture

Abstract

The innovation introduces a new kind of smart biological-sensing controller, based on silicon and/or flexible polymer printed electronics. The purpose of the device is to monitor and/or control biological signals of living organisms (for example, microbes, bacteria, insects, plants, animals, and people). Embedded in a system, the innovation can work contactless and battery-free since it is self-powered, wirelessly self-communicating without the use of electromagnetic waves like radio frequencies (RF), infrared or other electromagnetic technologies. Instead, the innovation uses alternating electric fields for powering, measuring and communicating, and introduces an innovative new method of mobile vital signs monitoring.

Claims

1. The system for self powered and sell communicating vital signs measurements based on silicone and/or polymer using at least one electrical field for powering, measuring and communicating, said system comprising:

a stationary device for generating at least one electrical field alternating in frequency;

means for receiving frequencies over said alternating electrical field; and

plurality of flexible polymer printed electrodes foil for integrating silicon chips through said at least one electrical field alternating in frequency, said flexible polymer printed electrodes foil to be place in close proximity to a user for contactless vital sign measurements;

wherein said alternating electrical field creating a phase locked loop for changing the frequencies either by dividing or by multiplying.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a modulator for mixing fixed data (ID numbers and constant parameters), measurement values from various vital signs and body signals (at least one carrier from a server'"'"'s e-field divided or multiplied) as well as an output driver for sending the modulated data to at least one electrode.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for supplying power to external devices with at least one positive and one negative voltage as well as a virtual ground.

4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising electronic switches integrated for switching on or off external electrical or electronic components.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a server for generating at least one alternating electric field and at least one client (polyMonlC) for measurement of vital signs contactless and battery-free, wherein said server further comprising at least one analytical means for computing the received data.

6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical energy harvester powered by at least one alternating electric field creating at least dual output voltage for driving instrumentation amplifiers or other electronic parts or devices.