Body worn physiological sensor device having a disposable electrode module

• US 9,155,484 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2015
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Baker, Steven D., McAdams, Eric T., Welch, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US14/595,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20150126848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600508-509
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0214 Capacitive electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• 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 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/301 providing electrical separation, e.g. by using isolating transformers or optocouplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/303 Patient cord assembly, e.g. cable harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68335 including release sheets or liners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 : Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B

Abstract

A body-worn physiological sensor includes a computation-communication module, and a flexible circuit layer configured to be coupled to a skin surface of a subject to measure physiological signals. An adhesive covers at least a portion of the flexible circuit layer and a protective covering protects the adhesive. The computation-communication module can be releasably attached to the sensor using electrical traces provided on the flexible circuit layer.

Claims

1. A body-worn physiological sensor comprising:

a computation-communication module including a housing retaining a processor;

a flexible circuit layer configured to be coupled to a skin surface of a subject to measure physiological signals, said computation-communication module being attached to the flexible circuit layer;

an adhesive covering at least a portion of the flexible circuit layer; and

a protective covering that protects the adhesive.

2. The sensor of claim 1, in which the flexible circuit layer has traces of determinable electrical resistance.

3. The sensor of claim 2, in which the traces on the flexible circuit layer are configured to electrically couple the computation-communication module to the flexible circuit layer, thereby forming a disposable module connector.

4. The sensor of claim 1, in which the traces on the flexible circuit layer are at least partially covered by a non-removable insulating covering.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit layer further comprises a plurality of openings sized to receive electrode gels.

6. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a hard-wired communication cable.

7. A body-worn patient monitoring device comprising:

a disposable electrode portion comprising;

a flexible printed circuit layer made from an insulating material and defining a substrate,

at least two electrodes being disposed onto a surface of the substrate,

electrical traces defined between the at least two electrodes, and

a connection pad;

a reusable communication module comprising;

a housing containing a processor, and

a wireless communication unit, and in which the reusable communication module is releasably attached to the disposable electrode portion by at least one latching clip; and

a hard-wired communication cable.

8. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the electrodes are integrated into the flexible circuit layer of the disposable electrode portion.

9. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the electrodes are snap fitted to the flexible printed circuit layer.

10. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 9, wherein the snap is disposed at the end of an extension.

11. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 7, wherein the electrical traces are screened onto the flexible printed circuit layer.

12. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 11, including an insulating layer applied onto the electrical traces.

13. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the insulating layer is a fabric applied over the electrical traces of the flexible printed circuit layer.

14. The body-worn patient monitoring device of claim 13, wherein each electrode includes an electrode gel and a conductive surface defining a half cell.

15. A body-worn physiological sensor comprising:

a computation-communication module including a housing retaining a processor;

a flexible printed circuit layer configured to be coupled to a skin surface of a subject to measure physiological signals, the computation-communication module being attached to the flexible printed circuit layer;

an adhesive covering at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit layer;

and a protective covering for the flexible printed circuit layer.

16. The body-worn physiological sensor of claim 15, in which the protective covering includes at least one opening for electrode gels.

17. The body-worn physiological sensor of claim 15, wherein the flexible printed circuit layer includes openings sized to receive electrode gels.

18. The body-worn physiological sensor of claim 15, wherein the protective covering is non removable and made from an insulating material.

19. The body-worn physiological sensor of claim 15, wherein the computation communication module is releasably attached to the flexible printed circuit layer.

20. The body-worn physiological sensor of claim 15, wherein the protective covering covers the adhesive.