System and method employing a thermocouple junction for monitoring of physiological parameters
First Claim
1. A physiological sensor, comprising:
- an exposed thermocouple having a cross-wire micro-bead junction formed at the termination of two dissimilar metal wires, whereby the micro-bead junction senses a physiological parameter, said thermocouple producing a signal in response to the physiological parameter, wherein the micro-bead junction senses changes in response to thermo-mechanical stimuli and produces a signal including a pressure component where the pressure component changes in response to a fluctuation in pressure at a surface of the micro-bead junction; and
circuitry connected to the thermocouple for receiving the signal, converting the signal to data representing at least one physiological parameter including at least the pressure component, and at least temporarily storing data representing the physiological parameter including at least the pressure component.
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Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for enabling the acquisition of physiological parameters of a mammal or other specimen using thermo-mechanical responses (e.g., temperature, pressure and alternatively acceleration, pulse, position). In accordance with one example embodiment, a monitoring device for wired and/or wireless sensors is used to acquire a series of sensor signals that are attached to achieve the physiological measurements of a mammal vital signs is provided. The device includes a Temperature-Pressure (T-P) sensor configured to attach to respiration, vascular pressure and audio points of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining the acquired individual sensor electrical signal. The sensor system is configured to attach to alternative locations of the specimen in a manner suitable for obtaining electrical signals in communication with a signal receiver and transmitter. Physiological parameters, such as those associated with vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, etc.), can be obtained using the monitoring device and associated sensors.
107 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A physiological sensor, comprising:
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an exposed thermocouple having a cross-wire micro-bead junction formed at the termination of two dissimilar metal wires, whereby the micro-bead junction senses a physiological parameter, said thermocouple producing a signal in response to the physiological parameter, wherein the micro-bead junction senses changes in response to thermo-mechanical stimuli and produces a signal including a pressure component where the pressure component changes in response to a fluctuation in pressure at a surface of the micro-bead junction; and circuitry connected to the thermocouple for receiving the signal, converting the signal to data representing at least one physiological parameter including at least the pressure component, and at least temporarily storing data representing the physiological parameter including at least the pressure component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensor, comprising:
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a welded micro-bead junction of dissimilar wires sensing both thermal and pressure stimuli, whereby the junction formed at the end of said dissimilar wires is configured to be positioned to detect pressure in the form of force applied to the physiological specimen, said junction producing a signal in response to the force; and circuitry connected to the junction for receiving the signal, converting the signal to data representing both thermal and pressure stimuli, and at least temporarily storing data representing the stimuli. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for sensing a force at a surface of a physiological specimen, comprising:
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adapting, to the surface of the physiological specimen, a sensor including an exposed micro-bead junction of dissimilar wires sensing both thermal and pressure stimuli, whereby the junction is positioned in relation to the surface to detect the force, said junction producing a signal in response to the force, and circuitry connected to the junction for receiving the signal, converting the signal to data representing both thermal and pressure stimuli, and at least temporarily storing data representing thermal and pressure stimuli; and processing the data to determine, as a component of the signal, a portion of the signal due to application of the force. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification