Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters

• US 10,052,030 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp.
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): ABOUELELA, MAY A
• Application Number:
  US15/811,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20180140201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 600300, 600301, 600549, 340532
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0026 characterised by the transmission medium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14517 for sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 : Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 : Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7271 : Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis A61B5/316, A61B5/349 and A61B5/374 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• 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: G01K 13/20 : Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 : Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 : using visible light sources

Abstract

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Claims

1. A support structure for measuring biological parameters in a brain tunnel of a patient, said support structure comprising:

a housing,

a temperature sensor contained in the housing configured to measure temperature signals produced on the skin at an end of the brain tunnel, and

an eyeglass frame to be worn by the patient,

an extension arm projecting from said eyeglass frame, said housing being mounted on the extension arm, said eyeglass frame including said extension arm being configured to mount the temperature sensor adjacent to a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of a upper eyelid at the brain tunnel when the eyeglass frame is worn by the patient.

2. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a contact sensor.

3. The eyeglasses for measuring biological parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a non-contact sensor.

4. A clip-on housing for use in measuring biological parameters in a brain tunnel, said housing being used with a pair of eyeglasses, said clip-on housing comprising

a support structure for mounting adjacent to nose pads of the pair of eyeglasses,

said support structure including a temperature sensor, wherein said support structure being configured to mount the temperature sensor adjacent to a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of a upper eyelid at the brain tunnel;

and

said support structure including a reporting device.

5. The support structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein an attachment piece connects the temperature sensor to the support structure.

6. The support structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a rotatable structure connects the temperature sensor to the support structure.

7. The support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rotatable structure rotates through three axes.

8. The support structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said attachment piece is a magnet.

9. The support structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reporting device is a visual display.

10. A support structure for use in measuring biological parameters in a brain tunnel, said support structure comprising

a pair of eyeglasses,

a medial canthal pad mounted on the pair of eyeglasses,

a sensor mounted on the medial canthal pad for measuring temperature signals produced on the skin at an end of the brain tunnel, a portion of the medial canthal pad including the sensor being configured to mount the temperature sensor adjacent to a medial corner of an eye above a medial canthal tendon and in a medial third of a upper eyelid at the brain tunnel when the eyeglass frame is worn by an individual, and

a reporting device mounted on the pair of eyeglasses, said reporting device being in a field of view of an individual wearing the pair of eyeglasses for viewing by the individual when a signal produced by the sensor reaches a predetermined threshold.

11. The support structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein an arm mounts said medial canthal pad on the pair of eyeglasses.