Physiological monitoring devices having sensing elements decoupled from body motion

• US 10,856,749 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yukka Magic LLC
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: Just, Steven Matthew, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Splinter, Robert, LeBoeuf, Steven Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernandez, Katherine L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sakamoto, Colin T.
• Application Number:
  US14/761,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20150351688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,510 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• 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 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• 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: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type

Abstract

A monitoring device includes a biasing element having opposite first and second end portions, an earbud attached to the biasing element first end portion, and a sensing element attached to the biasing element second end portion. The earbud has a first mass, and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the ear when the earbud is inserted into the ear. The biasing element decouples motion of the earbud from the sensing element. The sensing element includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region.

Claims

1. A monitoring device, comprising:

an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions;

an earpiece attached to the elastomeric arm first end portion, wherein the earpiece has a first mass; and

a sensing element attached to the elastomeric arm second end portion, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region, and wherein the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass,

wherein the elastomeric arm is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of an ear at a location within the ear when the earpiece is inserted into the ear, and wherein the elastomeric arm resiliently bends and decouples earpiece vibration from sensing element vibration such that motion between the sensing element and the subject is less than motion between the sensing element and the earpiece.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the at least one energy emitter comprises at least one optical emitter and wherein the at least one detector comprises at least one optical detector.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a surface having at least one window through which energy passes from the at least one energy emitter, and through which energy is collected by the at least one detector.

4. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the surface is shaped to conform to a portion of the ear at the second location.

5. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the at least one window comprises at least one opening.

6. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the at least one detector.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric arm comprises a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the elastomeric arm and/or sensing element.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker disposed within the earpiece, and wherein the earpiece comprises at least one aperture through which sound from the speaker can pass.

9. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first mass is at least about 1.25 times greater than the second mass.