Flexible, patient-worn, integrated, self-contained sensor systems for the acquisition and monitoring of physiologic data

• US 20050131288A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher T. Turner, Martin D. Wells
• Original Assignee: Christopher T. Turner, Martin D. Wells
• Inventors: Turner, Christopher T., Wells, Martin D.
• Application Number:
  US10/917,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131288A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0803 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• 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 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6841 by using templates

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the transduction, acquisition, and processing of physiologic variables are described. The apparatus is a self-contained, patient-worn device consisting of a flexible substrate, a transduction means, a power generation means, and a signal acquisition and processing means, and a data transmission means.

Claims

1. A patient-worn, self-contained apparatus for the measurement of physiologic variables comprising

a. a flexible substrate,

b. at least one transducer,

c. a power source, and

d. signal acquisition and processing circuitry.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate comprises polyimide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate comprises polyester.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises an electromagnetic transducer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises a hydrogel electrode.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises a mechanical transducer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises a strain gauge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises an accelerometer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises an optical transducer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises an electromagnetic energy source and an electromagnetic energy detector.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one transducers comprises a chemical transducer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a coin cell battery.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a thin film battery.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises radio frequency receiver circuitry for receiving power from an external radio frequency source.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal acquisition and processing circuitry is configured to acquire and process physiological signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate comprises an adhesive backing for affixing the apparatus to patient tissue.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a data storage unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said data storage unit comprises a nonvolatile integrated circuit memory chip.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said data storage unit comprises a removable memory card.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a data transmission unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said data transmission unit comprises a radio frequency transmission circuit.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said data transmission unit comprises an optical transmission circuit.

23. A physiologic sensing apparatus substantially as disclosed herein.

24. A method for measuring physiologic variables substantially as disclosed herein.

25. A method for measuring physiologic variables, said method comprising:

a. Providing a patient-worn, self-contained apparatus for the measurement of physiologic variables comprising;

a flexible substrate, at least one transducer, a power source, and signal acquisition and processing circuitry,

b. Affixing the apparatus to patient tissue, and

c. Acquiring at least one physiologic signal.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising analysis of said at least one physiologic signal so as to assess physiologic condition.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said analysis is performed by circuitry onboard said apparatus.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said analysis is performed by circuitry external to said apparatus.