Apparatus for detecting human physiological and contextual information

• US 20060264730A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: BodyMedia Incorporated (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Stivoric, John M., Kasabach, Christopher D., Teller, Eric, Boehmke, Scott K.
• Application Number:
  US11/239,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20060264730A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0295 adapted for recording user messages or annotations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/01 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 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• 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 5/14542 : for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 : using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 : Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 : Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 : Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 : Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 : Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4809 : Sleep detection, i.e. determining whether a subject is asleep or not
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 : Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 : Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 : Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 : Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• 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 5/7445 : Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 : User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 : Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• 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

The invention comprises an apparatus for determining the contextual or physiological status of the individual wearing the apparatus. The apparatus is designed to be consumable or disposable. In most embodiments the invention comprises an adhesive housing. In some embodiments, two different sensors are secured to the housing. The apparatus is in electronic communication with a processing unit that can derive analytical status data by using the data received from the two sensors. In some embodiments, the processing unit is programmed to control other devices, or is programmed to trigger an event. In still other embodiments, the apparatus is in electronic communication with a separate computing device, which may contain the processing unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating heart-related data of said individual;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating temperature-related data of said individual; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said heart-related data from said first sensor and said temperature-related data from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermopile, a thermocouple, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electrochemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heart-related data of said individual comprises at least one of:

heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat-to-beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, blood pressure data, and oxygen consumption data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple, and a thermopile.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s skin temperature.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises an ambient temperature near said individual.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s core temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

23. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

24. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

26. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

34. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating heart-related data of said individual;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating data related to said individual'"'"'s movement; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said heart-related data from said first sensor and said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

39. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said first sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electro-chemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

40. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said heart-related data of said individual is at least one of:

heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat-to-beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, blood pressure data, and oxygen consumption data.

41. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said second sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electro-chemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

42. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is at least one of heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat to beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, skin temperature data, core temperature data, heat flow data, galvanic skin response data, EMG data, EEG data, blood pressure data, oxygen consumption, body position data, and muscle pressure data.

43. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is activity data.

44. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

47. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

48. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

50. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

52. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

53. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

54. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

55. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

56. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

57. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

58. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

59. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

61. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

62. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

63. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

64. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

65. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

66. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating data related to said individual'"'"'s movement;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating temperature-related data of said individual; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement from said first sensor and said temperature-related data from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

67. The apparatus according to claim 66 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

69. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

70. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

71. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said first sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electro-chemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

72. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is at least one of heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat to beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, skin temperature data, core temperature data, heat flow data, galvanic skin response data, EMG data, EEG data, blood pressure data, oxygen consumption, body position data, and muscle pressure data.

73. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said second sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple, and a thermopile.

74. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s skin temperature.

75. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises an ambient temperature near said individual.

76. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s core temperature.

77. The apparatus of claim 66 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

79. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

80. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

81. The apparatus of claim 66 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

83. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

84. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

85. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

86. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

87. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

88. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

89. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

90. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

91. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

92. The apparatus of claim 66 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

94. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

95. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

96. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

97. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

98. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

200. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is activity data.

99. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating heart-related data of said individual;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said heart-related data from said first sensor and said data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

100. The apparatus according to claim 99 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

101. The apparatus of claim 100 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

102. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

103. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

104. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said first sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electro-chemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

105. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said heart-related data of said individual comprises at least one of:

heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat-to-beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, blood pressure data, and oxygen consumption data.

106. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said second sensor comprises at least two electrodes.

107. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said second sensor comprises a GSR sensor.

108. The apparatus of claim 106 wherein said at least two electrodes comprise a textured surface.

109. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said GSR sensor comprises a skin contacting surface, said skin contacting surface being textured.

110. The apparatus of claim 99 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

111. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

112. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

113. The apparatus of claim 111 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

114. The apparatus of claim 99 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

115. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

116. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

117. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

118. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

119. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

120. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

121. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

122. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

123. The apparatus of claim 111 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

124. The apparatus of claim 111 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

125. The apparatus of claim 99 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

126. The apparatus of claim 125 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

127. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

128. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

129. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

130. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

131. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

132. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating temperature-related data of said individual;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said temperature-related data from said first sensor and said data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

133. The apparatus according to claim 132 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

134. The apparatus of claim 133 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

135. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

136. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

137. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said first sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple, and a thermopile.

138. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s skin temperature.

139. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises an ambient temperature near said individual.

140. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said temperature-related data of said individual comprises said individual'"'"'s core temperature.

141. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said second sensor comprises at least two electrodes.

142. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said second sensor comprises a GSR sensor.

143. The apparatus of claim 141 wherein said at least two electrodes comprise a textured surface.

144. The apparatus of claim 142 wherein said GSR sensor comprises a skin contacting surface, said skin contacting surface being textured.

145. The apparatus of claim 132 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

146. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

147. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

148. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

149. The apparatus of claim 132 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

150. The apparatus of claim 149 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

151. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

152. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

153. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

154. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

155. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

156. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

157. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

158. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

159. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

160. The apparatus of claim 132 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

161. The apparatus of claim 160 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

162. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

163. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

164. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

165. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

166. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

167. An apparatus for monitoring an individual'"'"'s physiological or contextual status, said apparatus able to be disposed of after use, said apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having a surface, said surface comprising an adhesive material, said adhesive material enabling said housing to be removably attached to selected portions of said individual'"'"'s body;

b. a first sensor secured to said housing, said first sensor capable of generating data related to said individual'"'"'s movement;

c. a second sensor secured to said housing, said second sensor capable of generating data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin; and

d. a processing unit in electronic communication with said first and second sensors, said processing unit programmed to use both of said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement from said first sensor and said data related to a change in resistance across said individual'"'"'s skin from said second sensor to derive analytical status data.

168. The apparatus according to claim 167 wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material.

169. The apparatus of claim 168 wherein said flexible material is plastic film.

170. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said adhesive material is integral with said housing.

171. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said adhesive material comprises an adhesive foam material.

172. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said first is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an LED emitter coupled with an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermopile, a piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, an accelerometer, an electrochemical sensor, a mercury switch array, at least two electrodes, and photo cells.

173. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is at least one of heart rate data, pulse rate data, beat to beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data, skin temperature data, core temperature data, heat flow data, galvanic skin response data, EMG data, EEG data, blood pressure data, oxygen consumption, body position data, and muscle pressure data.

174. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said second sensor comprises at least two electrodes.

175. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said second sensor comprises a GSR sensor.

176. The apparatus of claim 174 wherein said at least two electrodes comprise a textured surface.

177. The apparatus of claim 175 wherein said GSR sensor comprises a skin contacting surface, said skin contacting surface being textured.

178. The apparatus of claim 167 further comprising a computing device in electronic communication with said processing unit.

179. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said processing unit is located within said computing device.

180. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

181. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein said computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, personal computer, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a sensor device.

182. The apparatus of claim 167 further comprising an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

183. The apparatus of claim 182 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

184. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said computing device comprises an input means enabling a user to input additional information related to said individual.

185. The apparatus of claim 184 wherein said processing unit is programmed to use said additional information to derive said analytical status data.

186. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical status data.

187. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

188. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control an interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status data.

189. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said computing device is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

190. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said computing device is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

191. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein said processing unit is programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status data.

192. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein said processing unit is programmed to control, based on said analytical status data, at least one of an interactive electronic media device and a separate apparatus.

193. The apparatus of claim 167 further comprising a display means displaying said analytical status data.

194. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said display means is an electrochemical display.

195. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of nutrition.

196. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of sleep.

197. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of activity level.

198. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of stress.

199. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said analytical status data comprises an indicator of mind centering.

201. The apparatus of claim 167 wherein said data related to said individual'"'"'s movement is activity data.