Non-invasive temperature monitoring device

• US 20050245839A1
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: BodyMedia Incorporated (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Andre, David, Hanlon, James, Kasabach, Christopher, Boehmke, Scott, Stivoric, John, Teller, Eric, Vishnubhatla, Suresh, Pacione, Christopher, Farringdon, Jonathan, Gasbarro, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,663,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0019 based on measurement of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• 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 5/02055 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 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A monitoring system comprises a module having at least one sensor and preferably skin and ambient temperature sensors within a housing. The device may be durable or disposable. The housing may be provided with certain surface features and shapes to facilitate mounting on and interface with the skin of the wearer for more accurate temperature measurement. A receiver may be provided to obtain and display data from the module. The module may also display the output data. The output data comprises both detected and derived data relating to physiological and contextual parameters of the wearer and may be transmitted directly to a local recipient or remotely over a communications network. The system is capable of deriving and predicting the occurrence of a number of physiological and conditional states and events and reporting the same as output data.

Claims

1. (canceled)

86. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said housing is mounted to at least one of:

a inguinal area of said wearer, an axillary area under an arm of said wearer, an upper arm of said wearer, an inside of a thigh of said wearer, a groin area of said wearer, an area behind an ear of said wearer, the forehead of said wearer, a sole of a foot of said wearer, a palm of said wearer, a finger of said wearer, a wrist of said wearer, an area between a corner of an eye and a side of the nose of said wearer, the chest of said wearer, and an area along the spine of said wearer.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. An apparatus for monitoring human status parameters, comprising:

a housing having a skin interface surface for creating an insulated interface with a wearer'"'"'s skin;

a skin temperature sensor generating data indicative of a skin temperature of the wearer, said skin temperature sensor mounted within said housing and in thermal communication with said insulated interface;

an ambient temperature sensor generating data indicative of a temperature condition within an enclosed space, said enclosed space surrounding the housing; and

a processor in electronic communication with said sensors, said processor receiving at a least a portion of said data indicative of said temperatures and generating a derived temperature-based parameter of said wearer.

52. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said housing is further comprised of a convex skin interface surface.

53. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said housing is further comprised of concave ambient surface.

54. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said skin interface surface has a convex protrusion along a longitudinal axis.

55. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said temperature sensors further comprise at least one thermistor.

56. An apparatus as described in claim 51, further comprising a heat flux sensor.

57. An apparatus as described in claim 56, wherein said housing further comprises an orifice extending from said skin interface surface to an ambient surface adjacent said heat flux sensor.

58. An apparatus as described in claim 51, further comprising an adhesive material for affixing said housing on the wearer'"'"'s skin.

59. An apparatus as described in claim 58, wherein said adhesive material further comprises at least one sensor.

60. An apparatus as described in claim 59, wherein said adhesive further comprises at least one electrical contact for electronic communication with said processor.

61. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said enclosed space is created by a garment.

62. An apparatus as described in claim 61, wherein said garment is a diaper.

63. An apparatus as described in claim 51, further comprising at least one of:

a galvanic skin response sensor, a motion sensor, and a heart rate sensor.

64. An apparatus as described in claim 51, further comprising a sensor mounted remotely on the wearer'"'"'s body in electronic communication with said processor.

65. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is the core temperature of the wearer.

66. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is an event.

67. An apparatus as described in claim 66, wherein said event is one of:

urination and defecation.

68. An apparatus as described in claim 66, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to said event which is related to said event.

69. An apparatus as described in claim 68, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

70. An apparatus as described in claim 66 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon occurrence of the event.

71. An apparatus as described in claim 66 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated prior to the event.

72. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is a body state.

73. An apparatus as described in claim 72, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to initiation of said body state.

74. An apparatus as described in claim 73, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

75. An apparatus as described in claim 72 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon initiation of said body state.

76. An apparatus as described in claim 72 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated prior to initiation of said body state.

77. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is an activity.

78. An apparatus as described in claim 77, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to initiation of said activity.

79. An apparatus as described in claim 78, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

80. An apparatus as described in claim 77 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon initiation of said activity.

81. An apparatus as described in claim 77 wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated prior to initiation of said activity.

82. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein each of said sensors further comprises an array of sensors.

83. An apparatus as described in claim 51, further comprising input means for said wearer to input one of an additional physiological and additional demographic information, said additional information comprising input to the generation of said derived temperature-based parameter.

84. An apparatus as described in claim 83 wherein said temperature-based parameter is at least one of core temperature, body state, and activity.

85. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said housing is mounted on a femoral region of said wearer.

87. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said housing exerts pressure on the wearer'"'"'s skin.

88. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is utilized to predict one of:

ovulation, menstruation and hot flashes.

89. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said derived temperature-based parameter is utilized to detect dislodgement of the housing from the body of said wearer.

90. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein at least a portion of said apparatus is disposable.

91. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein the entire apparatus is disposable.

92. An apparatus as described in claim 51, wherein said apparatus is affixed to one of:

a diaper and an article of clothing.

119. An apparatus according to claim 51 further comprising a sensor for sensing heart related parameters.

93. A system for monitoring human status parameters, comprising:

a module housing having a skin interface surface;

a skin temperature sensor generating data indicative of a skin temperature of a wearer, said skin temperature sensor mounted within said housing and in thermal communication with said skin of said wearer;

an ambient temperature sensor generating data indicative of a temperature condition within an enclosed space, said enclosed space surrounding the housing; and

a first processor in electronic communication with said sensors, said first processor;

(i) receiving at a least a portion of said data indicative of said temperatures and (ii) transmitting at least a portion of said data indicative of said temperatures of said wearer to a receiver unit; and

a receiver unit having;

a receiver for receiving said transmitted data indicative of said temperatures of said wearer;

a second processor for generating a derived temperature-based parameter of said wearer; and

data output means for communication of said derived temperature-based parameter of said wearer.

94. An apparatus as described in claim 93, wherein said receiver and said module are adapted to be affixed to each other.

95. An apparatus as described in claim 93, wherein said data output means is at least one of:

a visual display, an audio speaker, a tactile signal generator, a haptic signal generator and a Braille display.

96. An apparatus as described in claim 93, wherein said receiver means further comprises an additional temperature sensor.

97. An apparatus as described in claim 93, wherein said data output means provides an indication of the status of one of:

an event, an activity and a body state.

98. An apparatus as described in claim 97, wherein said indication is a prediction of an impending event, activity and body state.

99. An apparatus as described in claim 93 wherein said module and said receiver unit are capable of communication with only one another.

120. An apparatus according to claim 93 further comprising a sensor for generating data indicative of heart related parameters.

100. An apparatus for monitoring human status parameters of an individual, comprising:

at least one wearable ambient temperature sensor; and

a processor in electronic communication with said at least one wearable ambient temperature sensor, said processor;

(i) receiving at a least a portion of data indicative of ambient temperature from said wearable ambient temperature sensor and (ii) deriving a parameter comprising at least one of;

a body state of, an activity of and an event relating to said individual.

101. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said event is one of:

urination and defecation.

102. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to said event which is related to said event.

103. An apparatus as described in claim 102, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

104. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said processor generates a notification upon initiation of at least one of:

said body state, said activity, and said event.

105. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said processor generates a notification prior to initiation of at least one of:

said body state, said activity, and said event.

106. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to the initiation of said body state.

107. An apparatus as described in claim 106, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

108. An apparatus as described in claim 100, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to initiation of said activity.

109. An apparatus as described in claim 108, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

121. An apparatus according to claim 100 further comprising a sensor for generating data indicative of heart related parameters.

132. An apparatus according to any one of claims 51, 93, and 100 further comprising a sensor for generating data indicative of a body potential of the wearer.

133. An apparatus according to any one of claims 51, 93, and 100 further comprising a sound sensor.

136. An apparatus according to any one of claims 51, 93, and 100 further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer sensor, an ambient light sensor, an EMG sensor, an ECG sensor, and a skin impedance sensor.

138. An apparatus according to any one of claims 51, 93, and 100 further comprising a proximity sensor.

110. A system for monitoring human status parameters, comprising:

an insulated interface with a wearer'"'"'s skin;

a skin temperature sensor generating data indicative of a skin temperature at said insulated interface;

an ambient temperature sensor generating data indicative of a temperature condition within an enclosed space, said enclosed space surrounding the housing; and

a processor in electronic communication with said sensors, said processor receiving at a least a portion of said data indicative of said temperatures and generating a derived status parameter of said wearer.

111. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a housing.

112. A system according to claim 111 wherein said ambient temperature sensor is located within said housing.

113. A system according to claim 111, wherein said processor is located in said housing.

114. A system according to claim 111, wherein said skin temperature sensor is located within said housing.

115. A system according to claim 110 wherein said enclosed space is created by a garment.

116. A system according to claim 115 wherein said ambient temperature sensor is affixed to said garment.

117. A system according to claim 116 wherein said garment is a diaper.

118. A system according to claim 110 wherein said processor generates a derived status parameter according to an algorithm, wherein said algorithm is modified by changes to said data indicative of skin temperature at said insulated interface and said data indicative of a temperature condition within an enclosed space.

122. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a sensor for generating data indicative of heart related parameters.

123. A system according to claim 110 wherein said status parameter is at least one of an event, an activity, or a body state.

124. A system according to claim 123, wherein said event is one of:

urination and defecation.

125. A system according to claim 123, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to said event, said signal being related to said event.

126. A system according to claim 123, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to said activity, said signal being related to said activity.

127. A system according to claim 123, wherein said processor recognizes a signal prior in time to initiation of said body state, said signal being related to said state.

128. A system according to any one of claims 125-127, wherein said processor causes a notification to be generated upon recognition of said signal.

129. A system according to claim 123, wherein said processor generates a signal upon initiation of said at least one of said event, said activity and said body state.

130. A system according to claim 123, wherein said processor generates a signal prior to initiation of said at least one of said event, said activity and said body state.

131. A system according to claim 110 wherein said insulated interface is created by pressing said skin temperature sensor against said wearer'"'"'s skin.

134. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a sensor for generating data indicative of a body potential of the wearer.

135. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a sound sensor.

137. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer sensor, an ambient light sensor, an EMG sensor, an ECG sensor, and a skin impedance sensor.

139. A system according to claim 110 further comprising a proximity sensor.