Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters

• US 9,301,719 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2015
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp.
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABOUELELA, MAY A
• Application Number:
  US14/622,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20150150467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/549, 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0026 characterised by the transmission medium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14517 for sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 : Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 : Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7271 : Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis A61B5/316, A61B5/349 and A61B5/374 take precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 : Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 : Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 : using visible light sources

Abstract

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Claims

1. A medial canthal pad for measuring biological parameters in a brain temperature tunnel, said medial canthal pad comprising a head mounted structure, a housing, a temperature sensor in said housing, said temperature sensor is configured to measure temperature signals produced on the skin at an end of the brain temperature tunnel, an extension arm projecting from the head mounted structure, said housing being located on said extension arm, said extension arm locating said housing to be positioned adjacent to a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of an upper eyelid when the head mounted structure is worn by an individual, a power source in said housing, and a reporting device in said housing, said reporting device is configured to transmit temperature signals measured by said temperature sensor, said sensor, said power source and said reporting device being electrically connected to produce and report a signal.

2. The medial canthal pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is secured to an eyeglass frame by said extension arm.

3. The medial canthal pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing measures greater than 0 mm and less than 11 mm at a greatest dimension.

4. A nose pad of a support structure for measuring biological parameters in a brain temperature tunnel of a patient, said nose pad comprising:

a housing, a temperature sensor contained in the housing configured to measure temperature signals produced on the skin at an end of the brain temperature tunnel, and an eyeglass frame to be worn by the patient, an extension arm projecting from said eyeglass frame, said housing being mounted on the eyeglass frame extension arm, said eyeglass frame including a positioning device said extension arm for mounting the temperature sensor adjacent to a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of an upper eyelid at the brain temperature tunnel when the eyeglass frame is worn by an individual.

5. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor is a contact sensor.

6. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor is non-contact sensor.

7. Eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters, said eyeglasses comprising three separate pieces, a first one of the three separate pieces including a right lens rim and a right temple assembly, a second one of the three separate pieces including a left lens rim and left temple assembly, and a third one of the three separate pieces including a medial connector piece including a support bridge and nose pad portions, said support bridge releasably connecting said right lens and right temple assembly to said left lens rim and left temple assembly, said medial connector piece containing a temperature sensor located on an extension projecting from at least one of the nose pad portions configured to measure temperature signals produced on the skin at a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of an upper eyelid at an end of the brain temperature tunnel when the eyeglasses are worn by an individual.

8. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support bridge and said nose pad portions are releasably mounted on said right lens rim and said left lens rim.

9. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 7, wherein said medial connector piece includes a power source.

10. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 7, said medial connector piece includes a microprocessor.

11. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 7, said medial connector piece includes a wireless transmitter.

12. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 11, wherein said wireless transmitter transmits a signal by at least one of a radio frequency, light, sound and electromagnetic energy.