CONTACTLESS RESPIRATION MONITORING OF A PATIENT AND OPTICAL SENSOR FOR A PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHY MEASUREMENT

• US 20110054277A1
• Filed: 05/04/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Muesch, Guido Josef, Pinter, Robert, Yu, Donghai, Devot, Sandrine Magali Laure, Spekowius, Gerhard, Muehlsteff, Jens, Aubert, Xavier Louis Marie Antoine
• Application Number:
  US12/990,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20110054277A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• 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 5/02125 of pulse wave propagation time
• 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 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00

Abstract

The invention also relates to an optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, comprising a light unit 1 with a light emitter 2 for emitting light into tissue of a patient 8 and/or a light detector 3 for detecting a part of the emitted light after interaction with the tissue, wherein the light unit is embedded in an elastic material 4. The invention further relates to a device for contactless respiration monitoring of a patient 8, comprising: a distance sensor for consecutively detecting the temporal distance variations relative to the patient'"'"'s chest 12, preferably based on electromagnetic waves; and a calculating unit for determining the breathing activity based on the detected temporal distance variations. The invention is especially useful for providing a reliable and easy to use possibility for simultaneously monitoring respiration action, blood pressure and heart rate with a handheld device which can be used for spot-checking the vital parameters of patients in hospitals.

Claims

1. An optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, comprising

a light unit with a light emitter for emitting light into tissue of a patient and/or a light detector for detecting a part of the emitted light after interaction with the tissue, wherein

the light unit is embedded in an elastic material.

2. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is adapted for being contacted by the patient'"'"'s skin, preferably by a patient'"'"'s finger.

3. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elasticity of the elastic material lies in the range of typical elasticities of the tissue of a human finger.

4. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light unit comprises an LED and a photodiode.

5. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is not transparent for the light emitted by the light emitter.

6. A device for contactless respiration monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a distance sensor for consecutively detecting the temporal distance variations relative to the patient'"'"'s chest; and

a calculating unit for determining the breathing activity based on the detected temporal distance variations.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device is a handheld device comprising a holding means which is adapted for holding the device in front of the patient'"'"'s chest, preferably by the patient himself.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the holding means is adapted for automatically directing the distance sensor towards the patient'"'"'s chest when held with both hands of the patient.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the distance sensor is based on emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, and preferably comprises a Doppler radar sensor, preferably a two-channel Doppler radar sensor.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein an ECG measuring unit is provided in the device.

11. The device according to claim 6, wherein an optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, preferably an optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, comprising

a light unit with a light emitter for emitting light into tissue of a patient and/or a light detector for detecting a part of the emitted light after interaction with the tissue, wherein

the light unit is embedded in an elastic material, is provided on the device.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein a photoplethysmography measuring unit is provided in the device which is adapted for determining the blood pressure of the patient.

13. The device according to claim 6, wherein in the device an output unit is provided which is adapted for outputting a stress status indicator signal, based on coherence between determined heart rate and determined breathing activity.

14. A method of providing a patient with a stress status indicator signal, preferably with the aid of a device according to claims 6 comprising the following steps:

detecting the patient'"'"'s heart rate;

simultaneously detecting the patient'"'"'s breathing activity;

calculating the degree of coherence between the heart rate and the breathing activity; and

outputting a stress status indicator signal based on the calculated degree of coherence.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein a guidance signal is output, indicating how the patient should breathe, wherein preferably the guidance signal is automatically adapted according to the determined stress status of the patient.