Methods and Apparatus for Measuring Physiological Conditions

• US 20100217100A1
• Filed: 02/24/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Aumer, Michael Edward, Tucker, Jesse Berkley
• Application Number:
  US12/711,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20100217100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• 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 5/0022 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 5/25 : Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 : for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 : Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 : Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• 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 5/6817 : 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 5/721 : 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 5/7278 : 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 40/67 : for remote operation
• 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

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to an ear of a subject, and a plurality of electrodes supported by the housing. The electrodes are configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of the subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject, and are configured to detect and/or measure at least one neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function of the subject. The housing may include one or more physiological sensors configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject and/or one or more environmental sensors configured to detect and/or measure environmental conditions in a vicinity of the subject.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to an ear of a subject; and

a plurality of electrodes supported by the housing, wherein the electrodes are configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of the subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject, and wherein the electrodes are configured to detect and/or measure at least one neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function of the subject.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, and/or electrooculography (EOG) electrodes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are spaced-apart from each other and are electrically connected via a circuit board.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a physiological sensor supported by the housing and configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an environmental sensor supported by the housing and configured to detect and/or measure environmental conditions in a vicinity of the subject.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more biasing members configured to urge the electrodes into contact with the body of the subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ear clip attached to the housing that facilitates attachment of the housing to the ear of a subject, wherein the ear clip includes one or more electrodes configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of a subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ear clip comprises a pinna cover, and wherein the pinna cover includes one or more electrodes configured to at least partially contact a portion of an ear of a subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an earbud configured to be inserted within an ear of a subject and wherein the electrodes are supported by the earbud.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor module supported by the housing and configured to amplify and/or filter signals produced by the electrodes.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a transmitter supported by the housing and configured to transmit signals processed by the sensor module to a remote device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a speaker and microphone supported by the housing, wherein the speaker is configured to be in electrical communication with an electronic device via an audio output port of the electronic device, wherein the microphone is configured to be in electrical communication with the electronic device via an audio input port of the electronic device, and wherein the sensor module is configured to modulate and transmit signals produced by the electrodes to the electronic device via the audio input port.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor module is configured to wirelessly transmit signals produced by the electrodes to a remote electronic device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the sensor module is configured to digitize signals produced by the electrodes.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a power conditioning component supported by the housing and configured to adjust voltage and/or current to the sensor module.

17. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a headset configured to be worn by a subject; and

an electronic device comprising a user interface;

wherein the headset comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject, and wherein the electrodes are configured to detect and/or measure at least one neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function of the subject;

wherein the headset comprises a sensor module configured to receive and transmit signals produced by the electrodes to the electronic device for display via the user interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electrodes are electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, and/or electrooculography (EOG) electrodes.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electrodes are spaced-apart from each other and are electrically connected via a circuit board.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises one or more physiological sensors configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises one or more environmental sensors configured to detect and/or measure environmental conditions in a vicinity of the subject.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises one or more biasing members configured to urge the electrodes into contact with the body of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sensor module is configured to amplify and/or filter signals produced by the electrodes.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises a speaker and a microphone, wherein the speaker is in audio communication with the electronic device via an audio output port of the electronic device, wherein the microphone is in audio communication with the electronic device via an audio input port of the electronic device, and wherein the sensor module is configured to modulate and transmit signals produced by the electrodes to the electronic device via the audio input port.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electronic device is configured to be worn by the subject.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises two earbuds connected by a supporting member, each earbud configured to be inserted within an ear of a subject, wherein one or more of the electrodes are supported by the supporting member and/or wherein one or more of the electrodes are supported by at least one earbud.

28. The headset of claim 27, wherein the supporting member comprises one or more biasing members configured to urge the one or more electrodes into contact with the body of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject.

29. The headset of claim 27, wherein the at least one earbud comprises one or more biasing members configured to urge the one or more electrodes into contact with the ear of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject.

30. A headset, comprising:

two earbuds connected by a supporting member, each earbud configured to be inserted within an ear of a subject;

one or more electrodes supported by the supporting member and configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject; and

one or more electrodes supported by each earbud and configured to at least partially contact a portion of an ear of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject;

wherein the electrodes are configured to detect and/or measure at least one neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function of the subject.

31. The headset of claim 30, wherein the electrodes are electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, and/or electrooculography (EOG) electrodes.

32. The headset of claim 30, further comprising at least one physiological sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject.

33. The headset of claim 30, further comprising at least one environmental sensor configured to detect and/or measure environmental conditions in a vicinity of the subject.

34. The headset of claim 30, wherein the supporting member comprises one or more biasing members configured to urge the one or more electrodes into contact with the body of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject.

35. The headset of claim 30, wherein each earbud comprises one or more biasing members configured to urge the one or more electrodes into contact with the ear of the subject when the headset is worn by the subject.

36. The headset of claim 30, further comprising a sensor module configured to amplify and/or filter signals produced by the electrodes.

37. The headset of claim 36, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the sensor module to a remote device.

38. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to an ear of a subject;

a first electrode supported by the housing and configured to at least partially contact a portion of the body of the subject when the housing is attached to the ear of the subject;

an earring configured to be attached to the ear of the subject; and

a second electrode supported by the earring and configured to at least partially contact a portion of the ear of the subject when the earring is attached to the ear of the subject;

wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to detect and/or measure at least one neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function of the subject.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, and/or electrooculography (EOG) electrodes.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising a sensor module supported by the housing and configured to amplify and/or filter signals produced by the first and second electrodes.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a transmitter supported by the housing and configured to transmit signals processed by the sensor module to a remote device.

42. A method of monitoring a subject, comprising:

detecting neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function information from the subject via electrodes attached to a headset worn by the subject;

transmitting the information to a remote electronic device via an audio input port of the remote electronic device.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the electrodes are electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, and/or electrooculography (EOG) electrodes.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the headset comprises a speaker and a microphone, wherein the speaker is in audio communication with the electronic device via an audio output port of the electronic device, wherein the microphone is in audio communication with the electronic device via an audio input port of the electronic device, and wherein transmitting the information to the remote electronic device comprises modulating the information and transmitting the information with audio signals produced by the microphone.