DIAGNOSTIC SENSOR UNIT

• US 20100222652A1
• Filed: 09/08/2008
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ingo Flore
• Original Assignee: Ingo Flore
• Inventors: Cho, Ok Kyung, Kim, Yoon Ok
• Application Number:
  US12/733,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222652A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• 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 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a diagnostic sensor unit for the non-invasive detection of at least one physiological parameter of body tissue near the surface of the skin. The diagnostic sensor unit comprises an optical measurement unit (100) having at least one radiation source (4) for irradiating the tissue to be examined and at least one radiation sensor (5) for detecting the radiation scattered and/or transmitted by the tissue, and an EKG unit (132) for detecting an EKG signal via two or more EKG electrodes (7), wherein at least one radiation source (4) and at least one radiation sensor (5) of the optical measurement unit are disposed in a common sensor housing (400) and wherein at least one EKG electrode (7) of the EKG unit (132) is disposed on the housing surface of the sensor housing (400), specifically such that the EKG electrode (7) comes into contact with the surface of the skin in the area of body tissue detected by the optical measurement unit (100).

Claims

1. Diagnostic sensor unit for non-invasive detection of at least one physiological parameter of body tissue close to the skin surface, having an optical measurement unit (100) that comprises at least one radiation source (4) for irradiating the body tissue to be examined, and at least one radiation sensor (5) for detecting the radiation scattered and/or transmitted by the body tissue, whereby the at least one radiation source (4) and the at least one radiation sensor (5) are disposed in a common sensor housing (400), wherein

an EKG unit (132) for detecting an EKG signal by way of two or more EKG electrodes (7) is provided, whereby at least one EKG electrode (7) of the EKG unit (132) is disposed on the housing surface of the sensor housing (400), in such a manner that the EKG electrode (7) touches the skin surface in the region of the body tissue covered by the optical measurement unit (100).

2. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein a temperature or heat sensor (6) is disposed in or on the sensor housing (400).

3. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one EKG electrode (7) is configured as a planar foil or sheet of electrically conductive material, whereby the EKG electrode (7) has at least one recess (410) for passage of the radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source (4) into the body tissue to be examined.

4. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 2, comprising at least one other recess (440) for the temperature and heat sensor (6).

5. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a bioelectrical impedance measurement unit (130), whereby at least one feed or measurement electrode of the impedance measurement unit (130) is disposed on the housing surface of the sensor housing.

6. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the EKG electrodes (7) is a feed or measurement electrode of the bioelectrical measurement unit (130), at the same time.

7. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing (400) has dimensions of less than 1 cm×

1 cm×

1 cm.

8. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the optical measurement unit (100) has at least two radiation sensors (5) for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted by the body tissue, whereby the radiation sensors (5) are disposed at different distances from the radiation source (4).

9. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) are provided, which irradiate different volume regions of the body tissue being examined.

10. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 9, wherein the at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) have different spatial emission characteristics.

11. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation source (4) is connected with a light-conducting element (500) that guides the radiation emitted by the radiation source (4) to the surface of the sensor housing (400).

12. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 11, wherein at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) are connected with the light-conducting element (500) that guides the radiation of the at least two radiation sources (4, 4′

) to the surface of the sensor housing (400).

13. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical plug-in connection by way of which the sensor unit can be connected with a device (10) of entertainment or communications technology, or with some other portable device or accessory.

14. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 13, wherein the device (10) is a mobile device, particularly a notebook, a laptop, a palmtop, or a handheld.

15. Diagnostic sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a means for determining the contact pressure of the body tissue on the surface of the sensor housing (400).