Vital signs fiber optic sensor systems and methods

• US 9,655,526 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shenzhen Darma Technology Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Shenzhen Darma Technology Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Hu, Junhao
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sakamoto, Colin T
• Application Number:
  US14/872,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20160089031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• 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 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/725 using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters A61B5/316 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• 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: G01L 1/245 using microbending
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

An intensity-based, micro-bending optical fiber sensor is disclosed herein, which is configured to acquire clean, stable, and reliable vital sign signals. Related systems and methods for vital sign monitoring are also provided herein. The sensor of various embodiments includes a multi-mode optical fiber, an LED light source, an LED driver, a receiver, and a single layer deformer structure. In various embodiments, the optical fiber and single layer deformer structure of the sensor are selected to meet specific parameters necessary to achieve a level of reliability and sensitivity needed to successfully monitor vital signs. In some embodiments, a specific sizing relationship exists between the optical fiber and the single layer deformer structure. In sonic embodiments, the sensor is configured to acquire ballistocardiograph waveforms.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting a physiological parameter, the sensor comprising:

a multi-mode optical fiber comprising an inner core, a cladding layer, and an outer coating, wherein a core diameter is greater than 50% of a cladding diameter;

an LED (light emitting diode) light source coupled to a first end of the optical fiber;

an LED driver electrically coupled to the LED light source and configured to regulate a power level of the LED light source;

a receiver coupled to a second end of the optical fiber, the receiver configured to sense changes in an intensity of light traveling through the optical fiber; and

a deformer structure is a single mesh layer formed of mesh having openings disposed therein, wherein a surface area of the openings is between 30% and 60% of a total surface area of the mesh layer;

wherein the optical fiber is arranged in a plane in contact with a surface of the deformer structure such that an application of force onto the sensor results in a first portion of the optical fiber bending into an opening of the mesh layer and a second portion of the optical fiber flexing against the mesh;

a total diameter of the optical fiber consists of a diameter across the inner core, the cladding layer, and the outer coating;

the mesh layer is formed of interwoven fibers;

wherein a diameter of each interwoven fiber is ±

25% of the total diameter of the optical fiber.

2. A sensor for detecting a physiological parameter, the sensor comprising:

a multi-mode optical fiber comprising an inner core, a cladding layer, and an outer coating, wherein a core diameter is greater than 50% of a cladding diameter;

an LED (light emitting diode) light source coupled to a first end of the optical fiber;

an LED driver electrically coupled to the LED light source and configured to regulate a power level of the LED light source;

a receiver coupled to a second end of the optical fiber, the receiver configured to sense changes in an intensity of light traveling through the optical fiber; and

a deformer structure is a single mesh layer formed of mesh having openings disposed therein, wherein a surface area of the openings is between 30% and 60% of a total surface area of the mesh layer;

wherein the optical fiber is arranged in a plane in contact with a surface of the deformer structure such that an application of force onto the sensor results in a first portion of the optical fiber bending into an opening of the mesh layer and a second portion of the optical fiber flexing against the mesh;

a total diameter of the optical fiber consists of a diameter across the inner core, the cladding layer, and the outer coating;

wherein each opening of the single mesh layer is 100% to 300% of the total diameter of the optical fiber.