Electrode patch and wireless physiological measurement system and method

• US 9,693,732 B1
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbital Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orbital Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Tarler, Matthew D
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes, Rex R
• Application Number:
  US14/837,432
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

The present invention is related, in general, to an electrode patch and/or a wireless system for measuring the physiological condition of a subject, and more particularly to an electrode patch for ECG monitoring. The present invention further includes a method of sensing, analyzing and/or transmitting or relaying a physiological signal. The wireless system and/or electrode patch of the present invention is preferably lightweight and compact. The electrode patch preferably additionally provides a low, power system for extended battery life and use. The electrode patch and wireless system of the present invention still further preferably allows for good and reliable measurement of physiological signals form the subject. The electrode patch is still preferably simple to apply as a single patch, but versatile enough to be reconfigured as more than one patch.

Claims

1. A wireless system for sensing at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from a subject, the system comprising:

a laminate base having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted for placing against a subject'"'"'s skin, the laminate base comprising a spacer layer, an adhesive, and at least two electrodes adapted to be placed on the subject'"'"'s skin and for sensing at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the subject;

one or more electronic components adapted to receive and filter at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the at least two electrodes, to digitize the filtered signal(s) corresponding to the at least two different types of electrophysiological signals, and to wirelessly transmit the digitized signal(s) to a receiving unit, the one or more electronic components being attached to the base;

at least two electrical pathways connecting the at least two electrodes to the one or more electronic components;

a battery adapted to power the one or more electronic components; and

a receiving unit that is a cell phone adapted to receive the digitized signal or signals corresponding to the at least two different types of electrophysiological signals.

2. The wireless system of claim 1, further comprising a RF transmitter comprising a polarization-sensitive antenna on the upper surface of the laminate base, the antenna comprising one or more conductive wires or strips arranged to maximize surface area and is adapted to transmit and receive signals, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a buffer between the antenna and VCO, and the wireless system further comprising memory adapted for programming the one or more electronic components.

3. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic components include an electrode amplifier adapted to detect at least two channels of at least one type of electrophysiological signal from the at least two electrodes, to integrate the at least two channels of the detected electrophysiological signal into a single combined electrophysiological signal for, and to amplify the combined electrophysiological signal.

4. The wireless system of claim 3, wherein the one or more electronic components include an identification unit adapted to allocate an identification or patient code to the one or more electronic components and to allow the receiving unit or remote communication station to receive from and transmit data to multiple wireless systems.

5. The wireless system of claim 3, wherein the electrode amplifier is a low noise, low power instrumentation amplifier.

6. The wireless system of claim 2, wherein the RF transmitter comprises a digital bi-directional radio frequency (RF) link adapted to transmit redundant information to correct for errors in data transmission.

7. The wireless system of claim 6, wherein the VCO is configured in a stacked negative-resistance oscillator configuration and is in a cascade configuration with the buffer.

8. A wireless system for sensing at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from a subject, the system comprising:

a base having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted for placing against a subject'"'"'s skin, the base comprising a spacer layer, an adhesive, and at least two dry electrodes adapted to be placed on the subject'"'"'s skin and for sensing at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the subject;

one or more electronic components adapted to receive and filter at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the at least two dry electrodes, to digitize the filtered signal(s) corresponding to the at least two different types of electrophysiological signals, and to wirelessly transmit the digitized signal(s) to a receiving unit, the one or more electronic components being attached to the base;

at least two electrical pathways connecting the at least two electrodes to the one or more electronic components;

a battery adapted to power the one or more electronic components; and

a receiving unit that is a cell phone adapted to receive the signal or signals corresponding to the at least two different types of electrophysiological signals.

9. The wireless system of claim 8, further comprising a RF transmitter comprising a polarization-sensitive antenna on the upper surface of the laminate base, the antenna comprising one or more conductive wires or strips arranged to maximize surface area and is adapted to transmit and receive signals, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a buffer between the antenna and VCO, and the wireless system further comprising memory adapted for programming the one or more electronic components.

10. The wireless system of claim 8, wherein the one or more electronic components include an electrode amplifier adapted to detect at least two channels of at least one type of electrophysiological signal from the at least two electrodes, to integrate the at least two channels of the detected electrophysiological signal into a single combined electrophysiological signal for, and to amplify the combined electrophysiological signal.

11. The wireless system of claim 10, wherein the one or more electronic components include an identification unit adapted to allocate an identification or patient code to the one or more electronic components and to allow the receiving unit or remote communication station to receive from and transmit data to multiple wireless systems.

12. The wireless system of claim 10, wherein the electrode amplifier is a low noise, low power instrumentation amplifier.

13. The wireless system of claim 9, wherein the RF transmitter comprises a digital bi-directional radio frequency (RF) link adapted to transmit redundant information to correct for errors in data transmission.

14. The wireless system of claim 13, wherein the VCO is configured in a stacked negative-resistance oscillator configuration and is in a cascade configuration with the buffer.

15. A method of sensing electrophysiological signals from a subject comprising the steps of:

applying a patch to a subject, the patch comprising a laminate base, the base further comprising a spacer layer, an adhesive, and at least two electrodes adapted for placing on the subject'"'"'s skin for sensing at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the subject, one or more electronic components adapted to receive and filter at least two different types of electrophysiological signals from the at least two electrodes, to digitize the filtered signal(s) corresponding to the at least two different types of electrophysiological signals, and to wirelessly transmit through radio frequency the digitized signal(s) to a receiving unit or remote communication station;

re-transmitting the signal, wirelessly transmitted through radio frequency to the receiving unit or remote communication station by cell towers, land phone lines or cable; and

receiving the re-transmitted wireless signal for monitoring or analysis by a processor, a doctor or a monitoring service,

wherein the one or more electronic components of the wireless system utilize a two-way radio frequency data transmission with the receiving unit or remote communication station and the two-way radio transmission is used to reprogram the one or more electronic components.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more electronic components include an electrode amplifier adapted to detect at least two channels of at least one type of electrophysiological signal from the at least two electrodes, to integrate the at least two channels of the detected electrophysiological signal into a single combined electrophysiological signal for, and to amplify the combined electrophysiological signal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more electronic components have a patient code, and the receiving unit identifies the patient code and receives and transmits data to multiple wireless systems.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrode amplifier is a low noise, low power instrumentation amplifier.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of transmitting redundant information via a digital bi-directional radio frequency (RF) link to correct for errors in data transmission.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising the step of transmitting with the one or more electronic components a signal to notify a doctor, a monitoring service or an emergency medical dispatch team of a problem with the subject.