Wearable monitoring devices having sensors and light guides

• US 10,076,282 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): FULLER, RODNEY EVAN
• Application Number:
  US14/564,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20150157222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 600310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• 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 5/0082 adapted for particular medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes 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 5/0205 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 5/021 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 : Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 : for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 : Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 : using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0295 : using plethysmography, i.e. measuring the variations in the volume of a body part as modified by the circulation of blood therethrough, e.g. impedance plethysmography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 : Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 : Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 : Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 : Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 : for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 : Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 : the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 : lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 : Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 : Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 : Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 : Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 : inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 : Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 : Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 : Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 : Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 : using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7214 : using signal cancellation, e.g. based on input of two identical physiological sensors spaced apart, or based on two signals derived from the same sensor, for different optical wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 : Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/725 : using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters A61B5/316 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 : Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 : Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 : User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 : specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 : for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 : Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 : Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• 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

A monitoring device includes a housing configured to be attached to a body of a subject. An optical emitter, optical detector, and sensor for measuring motion noise are located within the housing. Light transmissive material is in optical communication with the optical emitter and detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light external to the housing and deliver the collected light to the detector. A signal processor is configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector and the motion noise sensor, and to remove noise from the signals produced by the optical detector. The signal processor may generate physiological parameters for the subject such as heart rate, blood flow, blood pressure, VO_2max, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and blood gas/analyte level.

Claims

1. A monitoring device, comprising:

at least one optical emitter comprising an emitting surface;

at least one optical detector comprising a detecting surface;

at least one housing supporting the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, wherein the at least one housing comprises at least one window in optical communication with the emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter and the detecting surface of the at least one optical detector, and wherein the at least one housing is configured to be attached to a body of a subject; and

light transmissive material that covers at least a portion of the at least one housing including the at least one window and that forms a light guiding region that is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter via the at least one window and is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter to the body of the subject via a portion thereof, and wherein the light guiding region and the at least one optical emitter emitting surface face substantially a same direction.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing is configured to be attached to a limb and/or a digit of the subject.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one housing is configured to be positioned within an ear of the subject.

4. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the light transmissive material portion is configured to deliver light to a non-ear canal region of the subject.

5. The monitoring device of claim 3, further comprising a speaker or microphone supported by the at least one housing.

6. The monitoring device of claim 3, further comprising a temperature sensor supported by the at least one housing, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the body.

7. The monitoring device of claim 3, further comprising a temperature sensor supported by the at least one housing, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the tympanic membrane, and wherein a second light transmissive material is in optical communication with the temperature sensor and is configured to direct thermal energy from the tympanic membrane to the temperature sensor.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical emitter comprises a first optical emitter configured to emit light at a first optical wavelength and a second optical emitter configured to emit light at a second optical wavelength different from the first optical wavelength.

9. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing comprises cladding material that confines light within the light guiding region.

10. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the light guiding region comprises a portion that extends outwardly from the housing and that is configured to contact skin of the subject, and wherein the portion that extends outwardly from the housing facilitates optomechanical stability and optical coupling.

11. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the portion that extends outwardly from the housing comprises a bulb or lens that is configured to contact the skin of the subject.

12. A monitoring device, comprising:

at least one optical emitter comprising an emitting surface;

at least one optical detector comprising a detecting surface;

at least one housing supporting the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, wherein the at least one housing comprises at least one window in optical communication with the emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter and the detecting surface of the at least one optical detector, and wherein the at least one housing is configured to be attached to a body of a subject; and

light transmissive material that covers at least a portion of the at least one housing including the at least one window and that forms a light guiding region that is in optical communication with the at least one optical detector via the at least one window and is configured to collect light external to the at least one housing via a portion thereof and deliver the collected light to the at least one optical detector, wherein the light guiding region and the at least one optical detector detecting surface face substantially a same direction.

13. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the at least one housing is configured to be attached to a limb and/or a digit of the subject.

14. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the at least one housing is configured to be positioned within an ear of the subject.

15. The monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the light transmissive material portion is configured to collect light from a non-ear canal region of the subject.

16. The monitoring device of claim 14, further comprising a speaker or microphone supported by the at least one housing.

17. The monitoring device of claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor supported by the at least one housing, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the body.

18. The monitoring device of claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor supported by the at least one housing, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the tympanic membrane, and wherein a second light transmissive material is in optical communication with the temperature sensor and is configured to direct thermal energy from the tympanic membrane to the temperature sensor.

19. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the at least one optical emitter comprises a first optical emitter configured to emit light at a first optical wavelength and a second optical emitter configured to emit light at a second optical wavelength different from the first optical wavelength.

20. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the at least one housing comprises cladding material that confines light within the light guiding region.

21. A wearable device configured to be worn by a subject, the wearable device comprising:

a housing;

a chipset enclosed within the housing, the chipset comprising;

a first optical emitter;

a second optical emitter;

at least one optical detector;

a wireless chip configured to communicate with a remote device;

at least one motion sensor; and

at least one signal processor configured to process signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one optical detector, and configured to communicate information with the wireless chip;

wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to reduce motion artifacts associated with subject footstep movement;

wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to determine a heart rate of the subject;

at least one non-air light transmissive material that covers at least a portion of the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first light guide positioned between the first optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material, and wherein the housing comprises a second light guide positioned between the second optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material;

cladding material associated with the at least one non-air light transmissive material to define a light-guiding region from at least one of the first and second optical emitters to the limb of the subject and/or from the limb of the subject to the at least one optical detector; and

at least one blocking member configured to optically isolate at least one of the first and second optical emitters from the at least one optical detector;

wherein the wearable device is configured to be worn on a limb of the subject.

22. The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises at least two non-air light transmissive materials, wherein the at least two non-air light transmissive materials are not in direct optical communication with each other.

23. The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises at least one lens.

24. The wearable device of claim 23,

wherein the at least one lens comprises a first lens and a second lens;

wherein the first lens is configured to focus light from the first optical emitter to a first region on the limb of the subject; and

wherein the second lens is configured to focus light from the second optical emitter to a second region on the limb of the subject.

25. The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the first region is different from the second region.

26. The wearable device of claim 21,

wherein the at least one optical detector comprises a first optical detector and a second optical detector;

and

wherein the first optical detector is not in direct optical communication with the second optical detector.

27. The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to remove frequency bands outside a range.

28. The wearable device of claim 27, wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to apply an adaptive filter to determine the heart rate of the subject.

29. The wearable device of claim 28, wherein the wireless chip is configured to transmit the heart rate of the subject to the remote device.

30. The wearable device of claim 21, further comprising an optical filter configured to selectively pass at least one optical wavelength to the at least one optical detector.

31. The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the first optical emitter and second optical emitter are configured to emit light in a substantially parallel direction.

32. The wearable device of claim 21,

wherein the first optical emitter is configured to emit light in a first direction;

wherein the at least one optical detector is configured to detect light in a second direction; and

wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to the second direction.

33. The wearable device of claim 21, wherein the housing comprises a first light guide positioned between the first optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material, and wherein the housing comprises a second light guide positioned between the second optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material.

34. A method of monitoring a subject via a wearable device worn on a limb of the subject, the wearable device comprising a housing and a chipset within the housing, wherein the chipset comprises first and second optical emitters, at least one optical detector, a wireless chip, at least one motion sensor, and at least one signal processor, wherein the housing comprises at least one window, the method comprising:

directing light at the limb of the subject from the first optical emitter via a first light guide, the at least one window, and at least one non-air light transmissive material that at least partially covers the housing, wherein the least one non-air light transmissive material is configured to be in optical communication with the limb of the subject, and wherein the first light guide is positioned between the first optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material;

directing light at the limb of the subject from the second optical emitter via a second light guide, the at least one window, and the at least one non-air light transmissive material, wherein the second light guide is positioned between the second optical emitter and the at least one non-air light transmissive material;

collecting light from one or more locations of the limb via the at least one optical detector;

sensing physical activity of the subject via the at least one motion sensor; and

processing signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one optical detector, via the at least one signal processor, to reduce motion artifacts associated with subject footstep movement and to determine a heart rate of the subject.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising processing signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one optical detector, via the at least one signal processor, to remove frequency bands outside a range.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising filtering signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one optical detector, via an adaptive filter, to determine the heart rate of the subject.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising transmitting the heart rate of the subject to a remote device via the wireless chip.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the wearable device comprises an optical filter configured to selectively pass at least one optical wavelength, and wherein collecting light from one or more locations of the limb via the at least one optical detector comprises collecting light through the optical filter.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises at least two non-air light transmissive materials that are not in direct optical communication with each other, wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the first optical emitter comprises directing light via the first light guide and one of the at least two non-air light transmissive materials, and wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the second optical emitter comprises directing light via the second light guide and another one of the at least two non-air light transmissive materials.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises at least one lens, wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the first optical emitter comprises directing light via the first light guide and the at least one lens, and wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the second optical emitter comprises directing light via the second light guide and the at least one lens.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the at least one lens comprises a first lens and a second lens, wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the first optical emitter comprises focusing light from the first optical emitter to a first region on the limb via the first lens, and wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the second optical emitter comprises focusing light from the second optical emitter to a second region on the limb via the second lens.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the first region is different from the second region.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises a first optical detector and a second optical detector, and wherein collecting light from one or more locations of the limb comprises collecting light via the first and second optical detectors.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the first optical emitter via the first light guide and the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises directing light in a first direction, and wherein directing light at the limb of the subject from the second optical emitter via the second light guide and the at least one non-air light transmissive material comprises directing light in a second direction that is substantially parallel with the first direction.

45. A monitoring device, comprising:

at least one optical emitter comprising an emitting surface;

at least one optical detector comprising a detecting surface;

at least one housing supporting the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, wherein the at least one housing comprises at least one window in optical communication with the emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter, and at least one window in optical communication with the detecting surface of the at least one optical detector, and wherein the at least one housing is configured to be attached to a body of a subject;

a light blocking member supported by the housing and positioned between the at least one optical emitter and the at least one optical detector, the light blocking member having a surface; and

light transmissive material that covers at least a portion of the at least one housing including the at least one window in optical communication with the emitting surface of the at least one optical emitter, wherein the light transmissive material forms a light guiding region that is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter via the at least one window and is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter to the body of the subject via a portion thereof, and wherein the light guiding region, the light blocking member surface, and the at least one optical emitter emitting surface face substantially a same direction.

46. The monitoring device of claim 45, wherein the at least one housing comprises cladding material that confines light within the light guiding region.