AIR MOVEMENT ENERGY HARVESTING WITH WIRELESS SENSORS

• US 20110270043A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McKenna, Edward M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,319,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/185 using fluid streams

Abstract

A system and method for generating power when one or more motion sensitive structures are moved via airflow. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the one or more motion sensitive structures when acted upon by airflow.

Claims

1. A physiological sensor, comprising:

one or more power generating structures which generate power in response to air movement;

one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters; and

wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters, wherein at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the one or more power generating structures.

2. The physiological sensor of claim 1, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the one or more power generating structures, wherein the one or more sensing components are at least partially powered by the energy storing structure.

3. The physiological sensor of claim 2 wherein the energy storing structure comprises a chargeable battery or a capacitor

4. The physiological sensor of claim 1, wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise a piezoelectric energy harvester.

5. A power module for a physiological sensor, comprising:

one or more power generating structures which generate power in response to air movement; and

a connector capable of releasably connecting to a physiological sensor, wherein the connector is capable of transmitting power generated by the one or more power generating structures to the physiological sensor when connected.

6. The power module of claim 5, comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the one or more power generating structures.

7. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a bracelet.

8. The power module of claim 7, wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are affixed to the bracelet.

9. The power module of claim 5, wherein the power module comprises a garment.

10. The power module of claim 9, wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are integrated into the garment.

12. A method for powering a wireless sensor, comprising the acts of:

generating power in response to air movement; and

providing the power to a sensor using an energy harvesting device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the power is stored in a battery or capacitor prior to being provided to the sensor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the power is generated at a location separate from the sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the location separate from the sensor is at a bracelet or a garment worn by a patient.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising utilizing the power by the sensor to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters of a patient.

17. A monitoring system, comprising:

a wireless sensor, comprising;

a light generating component;

a light detecting component capable of detecting light generated by the light generating component;

a wireless transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting a signal based on the light detected by the light detecting component;

a power generating component that generates power in response to air movement, wherein the generated power is provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter; and

a monitor capable of receiving the signal.

18. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component is incorporated into the wireless sensor.

19. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component is separate from, but in communication with, the wireless sensor.

20. The monitoring system of claim 17, comprising an energy storage component capable of storing the generated power prior to the power being provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter.

21. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the power generating component comprises a plurality of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices.