Mouthpiece for measurement of biometric data of a diver and underwater communication
First Claim
1. A mouthpiece apparatus for outputting biometric data of a diver, the mouthpiece comprising:
- a flexible mouthpiece configured to be worn in the mouth of the diver, comprising;
a processor configured to control an intensity of emitted light;
a light emitter positioned to emit light onto an oral tissue surface completely inside the mouth of the diver, the light being at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation, the processor configured to account for reflectance caused by an enamel surface in the mouth of the diver by controlling the intensity of emitted light and the wavelength of emitted light; and
a light detector positioned to detect light which is received from the oral tissue and to generate an output signal correlated to the detected light, wherein the processor includes logic configured to modulate a characteristic of the emitted light in response to a diving condition to maintain an accuracy of a blood gas saturation measurement based on the output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for measurement of biometric data of a diver. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece having a sensor device comprising a light emitter and detector configured to emit and detect light at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, CO2. The emitter is positioned to emit light onto oral tissue of the diver and the detector positioned to detect light which is received from the oral tissue either by transmittance of light through the oral tissue or by reflection of light from the tissue. The target oral tissue can include one or both of gum or buccal tissue. Such embodiments allow data to be collected without having to wear additional sensors or measurement devices and allow for measurement of blood gas levels as the diver breaths through their mouthpiece.
20 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A mouthpiece apparatus for outputting biometric data of a diver, the mouthpiece comprising:
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a flexible mouthpiece configured to be worn in the mouth of the diver, comprising; a processor configured to control an intensity of emitted light; a light emitter positioned to emit light onto an oral tissue surface completely inside the mouth of the diver, the light being at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation, the processor configured to account for reflectance caused by an enamel surface in the mouth of the diver by controlling the intensity of emitted light and the wavelength of emitted light; and a light detector positioned to detect light which is received from the oral tissue and to generate an output signal correlated to the detected light, wherein the processor includes logic configured to modulate a characteristic of the emitted light in response to a diving condition to maintain an accuracy of a blood gas saturation measurement based on the output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels of a diver, the method comprising:
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positioning a mouthpiece in the mouth of the diver, the mouthpiece including a light emitter and a light detector; emitting light onto an oral tissue surface completely inside the mouth of the diver, at least one frequency of the light having an absorbance correlated with a blood oxygen saturation level; controlling the intensity of emitted light and a wavelength of emitted light to account for reflectance caused by an enamel surface in the mouth of the diver; detecting an intensity of light received from the diver'"'"'s oral tissue in response to the emitted light; modulating a characteristic of the emitted light in response to an underwater condition to maintain an accuracy of a blood gas saturation measurement based on the detected intensity; and determining a blood oxygen saturation of the diver utilizing the detected intensity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels of a diver, the method comprising:
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positioning a measurement device in the mouth of the diver, the measurement device including a light emitter and a light detector positioned on a support;
the measurement device configured to maintain substantial optical contact with the diver'"'"'s oral tissue during movement of one or more of the diver'"'"'s mouth, jaw or teeth and to do so without impeding the diver'"'"'s breathing;emitting light onto an oral tissue surface completely inside the mouth of the diver, at least one frequency of the light having an absorbance correlated with a blood oxygen saturation level; controlling the intensity of emitted light and a wavelength of emitted light to account for reflectance caused by an enamel surface in the mouth of the diver; detecting an intensity of light received from the diver'"'"'s oral tissue in response to the emitted light; modulating a characteristic of the emitted light in response to an underwater condition to maintain an accuracy of a blood gas saturation measurement based on the detected intensity; and determining a blood oxygen saturation of the diver utilizing the detected intensity. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification