Apparatus and methods for monitoring physiological data during environmental interference

• US 8,888,701 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward, Romesburg, Eric Douglas, Morris, Joseph Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): SORIANO, BOBBY GILES
• Application Number:
  US13/358,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/323, 600/324
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0247 for compensation or correction of the measured physiological value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/507 for determination of haemodynamic parameters, e.g. perfusion CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/02 Measuring pulse or heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/04 Measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 : Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for attenuating environmental interference are described. A wearable monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to the body of a subject and a sensor module that includes an energy emitter that directs energy at a target region of the subject, a detector that detects an energy response signal—or physiological condition—from the subject, a filter that removes time-varying environmental interference from the energy response signal, and at least one processor that controls operations of the energy emitter, detector, and filter.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject; and

a sensor module disposed within the housing, the sensor module comprising;

a printed circuit board (PCB) having opposite first and second sides;

an optical emitter attached to the first side of the PCB, wherein the optical emitter directs modulated electromagnetic radiation at a target region of the ear;

an optical detector attached to the first side of the PCB adjacent to the optical emitter, wherein the optical detector detects an energy response signal from the subject that is associated with a physiological condition of the subject;

an optical filter overlying at least a portion of the optical detector, wherein the optical filter attenuates time-varying environmental light interference at one or more selected wavelengths from the energy response signal, wherein the time-varying environmental light interference is caused by sunlight and/or ambient light; and

at least one processor that controls operations of the optical emitter and/or optical detector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical filter has a surface area greater than a surface area of the optical detector, and wherein the optical filter overlies the optical detector such that a periphery of the optical filter overlaps a periphery of the optical detector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional optical detector attached to the PCB second side.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lens positioned above at least one of the optical emitter and filter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising light-opaque material surrounding the optical emitter and optical detector such that the optical emitter and optical detector are not in direct optical communication with each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the light-opaque material includes a first aperture in communication with the optical emitter, and a second aperture in communication with the optical detector.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a lens positioned above the optical emitter and filter, and wherein the lens includes respective first and second portions configured to matingly engage the respective first and second apertures in the light-opaque material.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a first lens positioned within the first aperture and in optical communication with the optical emitter, wherein the first lens focuses light emitted by the optical emitter, and a second lens positioned within the second aperture and in optical communication with the optical detector, wherein the second lens focuses light toward the optical detector.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a soft material which deforms when inserted within an ear and that facilitates retention of the housing within an ear.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a shape that facilitates retention of the housing within an ear.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the housing comprises optically transmissive material through which light from the optical emitter can pass, and wherein the housing comprises a soft material adjacent to the optically transmissive material which deforms when inserted within an ear and that facilitates retention of the housing within an ear.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one speaker.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the housing comprises material configured to diffuse light from the optical detector and/or diffuse light to the optical detector.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor module also comprises at least one motion/position sensor attached to at least one side of the PCB.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optical filter configured to process digitized time-varying environmental light interference signals.