Ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting with wireless sensors
First Claim
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1. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:
- a power generating structure configured to generate power to recharge a power source of the pulse oximetry sensor in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the power generating structure comprises one or more antennas and a charging control circuit, and wherein the charging control circuit is configured to;
determine whether an amount of power generated by each antenna from among the one or more antennas is below a threshold amount of power needed to power the pulse oximetry sensor; and
generate an error signal if the amount of power generated by the power generating structure is below the threshold;
a sensing component configured to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters;
wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit the data related to the one or more physiological parameters and configured to wirelessly transmit the error signal, wherein at least one of the sensing component or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the power generating structures; and
a wired port configured to recharge the power source of the pulse oximetry sensor via an external power source.
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Abstract
A system and method for generating power via harvesting of ambient electromagnetic signals. 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 harvested electromagnetic signals.
88 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:
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a power generating structure configured to generate power to recharge a power source of the pulse oximetry sensor in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the power generating structure comprises one or more antennas and a charging control circuit, and wherein the charging control circuit is configured to; determine whether an amount of power generated by each antenna from among the one or more antennas is below a threshold amount of power needed to power the pulse oximetry sensor; and generate an error signal if the amount of power generated by the power generating structure is below the threshold; a sensing component configured to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters; wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit the data related to the one or more physiological parameters and configured to wirelessly transmit the error signal, wherein at least one of the sensing component or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the power generating structures; and a wired port configured to recharge the power source of the pulse oximetry sensor via an external power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for powering a wireless pulse oximetry sensor, comprising the acts of:
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generating power to recharge a power source of the pulse oximetry sensor using a power generating structure in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the power generating structure comprises a charging control circuit configured to monitor an amount of power generated by each antenna from among a plurality of antennas; providing the power to the pulse oximetry sensor; determining whether the amount of power generated by the power generating structure is below a threshold amount of power needed to power the pulse oximetry sensor; and transmitting an error signal if the amount of power generated by the power generating structure is below the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A monitoring system, comprising:
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a pulse oximetry sensor, comprising; a light generating component; a light detecting component configured to detect light generated by the light generating component; a power generating component configured to; generate power to recharge a power source of the pulse oximetry sensor in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the generated power is provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter; determine whether an amount of generated power is below a threshold amount of power needed to power the pulse oximetry sensor; and generate an error signal if the amount of generated power by the power generating structure is below the threshold; a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal based on the light detected by the light detecting component and configured to wirelessly transmit the error signal; a wired port configured to recharge the power source of the pulse oximetry sensor via an external power source; and a monitor configured to receive the signal and the error signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification