Electrocardiogram watch clasp

• US 9,844,340 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Fish, Ram, Schuessler, James, Nuovo, Frank Settemo, Phillips, Sheldon George
• Primary Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/586,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 600300, 600372, 600509, 600519, 600520, 600527
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data

Abstract

A device measuring an electrical activity of a heart and being wearable on a body part of a user. The device comprises a strap configurable to be fitted over the body part, and having an interior surface contacting the body part when worn by the user, and an exterior surface facing away from the body part. The device also includes a first sensor that is disposed on the interior surface. The first sensor is configurable to be in contact with the body part. The device also includes a clasp having a second sensor that is electrically insulated from the first sensor. The first sensor and the second sensor receive data indicative of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the user when the clasp holding the strap over the body part contacts a different body part of the user.

Claims

1. A device for measuring an electrical activity of a heart and being wearable on a body part of a user, the device comprising:

a strap configurable to be fitted over the body part, and having an interior surface contacting the body part when worn by the user, and an exterior surface facing away from the body part;

a first sensor disposed on the interior surface, being configurable to be in contact with the body part; and

a clasp joined to a portion of the strap comprising a second sensor, the second sensor being electrically insulated from the first sensor, only the first sensor and the second sensor being configured to receive data indicative of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the user when the clasp holding the strap over the body part contacts a different body part of the user.

2. A device of claim 1, further comprising an interface disposed on the strap and configured to receive the data.

3. A device of claim 1, wherein the clasp further comprises a groove and a detent, and wherein the groove is configured to engage the detent to hold the strap in place over the body part.

4. A device of claim 1, further comprising a sensing module disposed on the interior surface of the strap, wherein the first sensor is further configured to be disposed on the sensing module in the interior surface of the strap.

5. A device of claim 1, wherein the clasp further comprises a PPG sensor configured to receive data indicative of a PPG signal.

6. A device of claim 1, wherein the strap having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the clasp is further configured to fasten the first portion to the second portion thereby holding the strap in place over the body part.

7. A device of claim 1, wherein the different body part of the user comprises the head of the user.

8. A device of claim 1, wherein the different body part of the user comprises another hand of the user.

9. A device of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises a ratchet latch.

10. A device of claim 1, wherein the body part comprises a wrist.

11. A method for measuring an electrical activity of a heart with a device wearable on a body part of a user, the device having a strap configurable to be fitted over the body part, a first sensor disposed on the strap, and a clasp joined to a portion of the strap comprising a second sensor, said second sensor being electrically insulated from the first sensor, the method comprising:

determining if the first sensor is in contact with the body part;

determining if the electrically insulated second sensor at the clasp is in contact with a different body part of the user; and

receiving data indicative of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the user from only the first sensor and the second sensor in response to determining that the first sensor is in contacting the body part and that the electrically insulated second sensor is in contact with a different body part of the user.

12. A method of claim 11, wherein the device further comprises an interface disposed on the strap, further comprising receiving the data at the interface.

13. A method of claim 12, wherein the clasp further comprises a groove and a detent, further comprising engaging the groove to the detent thereby holding the strap in place over the body part.

14. A method of claim 12, further comprising disposing the first senor in a sensing module on an exterior surface of the strap.

15. A method of claim 12, further comprising:

disposing a PPG sensor; and

receiving data indicative of a PPG signal.

16. A method of claim 11, and wherein the strap having a first portion and a second portion, further comprising fastening the first portion to the second portion thereby holding the strap in place over the body part.

17. A method of claim 11, wherein contacting a different body part of the user comprises contacting the clasp to one of the head and the hand of the user.

18. A method of claim 11, wherein the body part includes a wrist.

19. A device for measuring an electrical activity of a heart and being wearable on a body part of a user, the device comprising:

a strap configurable to be fitted over the body part, and having an interior surface contacting the body part when worn by the user, and an exterior surface facing away from the body part;

a first sensor disposed on the interior surface, and being in contact with the body part; and

a clasp having a second sensor, the second sensor being electrically insulated from the first sensor; and

a processor disposed on the strap, being coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, and configured to transmit data indicative of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the user from only the first sensor and the second sensor when the second sensor is touched by a different body part of the user.

20. A device of claim 19, further comprising an interface disposed on the strap and configured to receive the data.

21. A device of claim 20, wherein the clasp further comprises a groove and a detent, and wherein the groove is configured to engage the detent to hold the strap in place over the body part.

22. A device of claim 20, further comprising a sensing module disposed on the interior surface of the strap, wherein the first sensor is further configured to be disposed on the sensing module in the interior surface of the strap.

23. A device of claim 20, wherein the clasp further comprises a PPG sensor configured to receive data indicative of a PPG signal.

24. A device of claim 19, wherein the strap having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the clasp is further configured to fasten the first portion to the second portion thereby holding the strap in place over the body part.

25. A device of claim 19, wherein when the different body part of the user comprises one of the head and the hand of the user.

26. A device of claim 19, wherein the clasp comprises a ratchet latch.

27. A device of claim 19, wherein the body part comprises a wrist.