SENSORS, INTERFACES AND SENSOR SYSTEMS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND INTEGRATED REMOTE MONITORING OF CONDITIONS AT OR NEAR BODY SURFACES

• US 20130192071A1
• Filed: 01/29/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensoria Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Heapsylon LLC
• Inventors: ESPOSITO, Mario, MACAGNO, Maurizio, VIGANO', Davide Giancarlo
• Granted Patent: US 8,925,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/6
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/027 Shoe fit indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• 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 5/447 specially adapted for aiding the prevention of ulcer or pressure sore development, i.e. before the ulcer or sore has developed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/18 using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Sensing devices including flexible and stretchable fabric-based pressure sensors, may be associated with or incorporated in garments intended to be worn against a body surface (directly or indirectly), or may be associated with other types of flexible substrates, such as sheet-like materials, bandages and other materials that contact the body (directly or indirectly), and may be provided as independently positionable sensor components. Systems and methods for storing, communicating, processing, analyzing and displaying data collected by sensor components for remote monitoring of conditions at body surfaces, or within the body, are also disclosed. Sensors and sensor systems provide substantially real-time feedback relating to current body conditions and may provide notifications or alerts to users, caretakers and/or clinicians, enabling early intervention when conditions indicate intervention is appropriate.

Claims

1. A sensing device comprising an electrically conductive sensor;

at least two electrically conductive leads connected to the sensor;

at least one electrically conductive trace connected to each of the conductive leads; and

at least one signal transfer terminal electrically connected to each of the conductive traces;

wherein the sensor, the conductive leads, the conductive traces, and the signal transfer terminals are associated with a flexible, non-electrically conductive substrate.

2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the conductive sensor comprises an electrically conductive fabric.

3. The sensing device of claim 2, additionally comprising at least one additional non-fabric sensor.

4. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the conductive sensor is capable of sensing force exerted on the sensor.

5. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is non-silicon-based.

6. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a flexible fabric having a conductive coating.

7. The sensing device of claim 6, wherein the flexible fabric is additionally stretchable.

8. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor, each of the conductive leads, and each of the conductive traces comprise an electrically conductive fabric.

9. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of a wearable garment.

10. The sensing device of claim 9, wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of a sock.

11. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of an insole.

12. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of a bandage or wound dressing.

13. The sensing device of claim 1, comprising at least one sensor capable of sensing moisture and/or temperature.

14. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein the conductive traces comprise conductive fabric having different properties than the conductive fabric sensor.

15. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the signal transfer terminals comprise one part of a mating two-part mechanical fastener device.

16. The sensing device of claim 15, wherein the signal transfer terminals incorporate a magnetic component.

17. The sensing device of claim 1, additionally comprising a substantially liquid impervious barrier enclosing at least the electrically conductive sensor and each of the electrically conductive leads.

18. The sensing device of claim 1 in combination with a dedicated electronic device having signal receipt terminals that mate with signal transfer terminals of the sensing device and additionally comprising a housing component with signal processing and communications components located within the housing component.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the housing component of the dedicated electronic device is in the form of a curved housing configured to fit partially around the lower leg or ankle of a user.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein the housing component of the dedicated electronic device is configures as a shin guard.

21. A system for data collection and remote monitoring of conditions at or near a body surface, comprising:

at least one electrically conductive sensing device configured for positioning in direct or indirect contact with a portion of a user'"'"'s body surface and having signal transfer terminals associated with a flexible, non-conductive substrate;

a dedicated electronic device having signal processing and communications components and signal receipt terminals that receive signals from the signal transfer terminals of the sensing device; and

a remote computing facility configured to receive data from the dedicated electronic device and execute data analysis in accordance with programmed and/or programmable instructions and routines.

22. A method for collecting data and remotely monitoring conditions at or near body surfaces, comprising:

placing an electrically conductive sensor of an independently positionable sensing device comprising a flexible, electrically conductive sensor, at least two flexible, electrically conductive leads connected to the sensor, at least one flexible, electrically conductive trace connected to each of the conductive leads, and at least one signal transfer terminal electrically connected to each of the flexible, conductive traces at a location at or near a body surface desired to be monitored;

positioning each of the signal transfer terminals at a location remote from the sensor;

covering the location at or near the body surface where the sensor is placed and allowing each of the signal transfer terminals to remain exposed and uncovered by the covering; and

transferring signals and/or data from the signal transfer terminals to a dedicated electronic device that communicates with an external, hosted computing system.

23. A method for fitting footwear to a user'"'"'s feet, comprising:

placing an electrically conductive sensor of a sensing device comprising a flexible, electrically conductive sensor, at least two flexible, electrically conductive leads connected to the sensor, at least one flexible, electrically conductive trace connected to each of the conductive leads, and at least one signal transfer terminal electrically connected to each of the flexible, conductive traces at a location at or near an area of the user'"'"'s foot;

placing footwear on the user'"'"'s foot and thereby locating the sensor between the user'"'"'s foot and the footwear;

collecting data relating to sensed conditions while the user wears the footwear;

augmenting collected data with user information; and

providing user-specific recommendations for footwear that fits the anatomy of the user'"'"'s foot.