WEARABLE APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE TYPES OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

• US 20140243617A1
• Filed: 05/06/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yukka Magic LLC
• Original Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
• Inventors: LeBoeuf, Steven Francis, Tucker, Jesse Berkley, Aumer, Michael Edward
• Granted Patent: US 11,272,848 B2
• 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 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• 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 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• 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 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 : Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 : Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1032 : Determining colour for diagnostic purposes measuring colour in general G01J3/46
• 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 5/1112 : Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 : Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 : using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 : Audiometering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 : for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 : for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 : for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• 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 5/14552 : Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14556 : by fluorescence A61B5/14555 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 : non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 : combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 : Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 : Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• 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 5/4064 : Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• 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 5/4205 : Evaluating swallowing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4227 : endocrine glands, i.e. thyroid, adrenals, hypothalamic, pituitary
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4266 : sweat secretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4542 : Evaluating the mouth, e.g. the jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 : Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• 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 5/4872 : Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 : Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• 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 5/6816 : Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 : mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 : for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• 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 5/7405 : using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 : Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 : Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 : having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 : Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 : for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/00 : Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D13/00, G01D15/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/47 : Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence G01N21/55 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 : Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/021 : Special mounting in general
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0612 : Laser diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1081 : Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 : Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 : Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/453 : electronically

Abstract

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Claims

1. A headset adapted to be worn by a subject, the headset comprising:

an optical emitter configured to direct light to a region of an ear of the subject;

an optical detector configured to detect light absorbed, scattered, and/or reflected by the ear region;

a motion sensor configured to measure subject motion;

an additional sensor configured to detect energy emanating from a tympanic membrane of the ear;

a speaker configured to communicate audible information to the subject; and

a processor configured to pre-process signals produced by the optical detector, the motion sensor, and/or the additional sensor for further processing by a portable telecommunication device and/or to process the signals produced by the optical detector, the motion sensor, and/or the additional sensor to produce processed signals containing cleaner physiological information about the subject.

2. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter responsive to the processor that is configured to transmit pre-processed signals and/or processed signals to a remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

3. The headset of claim 1, wherein the additional sensor is configured to detect electrical energy, magnetic energy, electromagnetic energy, mechanical energy, thermal energy, or acoustic energy.

4. The headset of claim 1, wherein the physiological information comprises pulse rate information, breathing rate information, or cardiopulmonary functioning information.

5. The headset of claim 1, wherein the headset comprises an earpiece fitting adapted to be positioned within the ear, and wherein the optical emitter, the optical detector, the motion sensor, and the additional sensor are integrated within the earpiece fitting.

6. An apparatus adapted to be worn by a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of physiological sensors configured to detect physiological information from the subject;

a processor configured to process signals produced by the plurality of physiological sensors to produce processed signals containing cleaner physiological information about the subject, wherein the physiological information includes pulse rate information and breathing rate information; and

a transmitter responsive to the processor that is configured to transmit the pulse rate information and breathing rate information to a remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of physiological sensors comprises a sensor configured to detect energy emanating from the tympanic membrane.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor configured to detect energy emanating from the tympanic membrane is configured to detect blackbody radiation emanating from the tympanic membrane, and wherein the physiological information further includes body temperature information.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of physiological sensors comprises a color sensor configured to measure color changes of a body of the subject.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of physiological sensors comprises a reflective pulse oximeter configured to measure light reflected by a body of the subject and/or fluorescence from the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of physiological sensors comprises a reflective pulse oximeter, and wherein the processor is configured to process signals produced by the reflective pulse oximeter to produce processed signals containing one or more of the following:

blood oxygen level information, blood gas level information, bilirubin level information, pulse intensity information, and cardiopulmonary functioning information.

12. A headset adapted to be worn by a subject, the headset comprising:

a visual display;

an audio speaker;

at least one physiological sensor configured to sense physiological information from the subject; and

at least one processor coupled to the visual display, the audio speaker, and the at least one physiological sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor to produce processed signals containing physiological information from the subject, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display the physiological information via the visual display and to provide audio alerts to the subject via the audio speaker.

13. The headset of claim 12, further comprising at least one motion sensor, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one motion sensor to produce processed signals containing cleaner physiological information from the subject.

14. The headset of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter responsive to the at least one processor, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit physiological information between the headset and at least one remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

15. The headset of claim 12, further comprising at least one environmental sensor configured to detect environmental information in a vicinity of the subject, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one environmental sensor to selectively remove environmental effects from the signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor, thereby producing processed signals containing cleaner physiological information about the subject.

16. The headset of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:

process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one environmental sensor to produce processed signals containing environmental stress information and physical strain information;

pinpoint a location of where environmental stress and physical strain occurred; and

display the environmental stress information and physical strain information to the subject via the visual display and/or communicate the environmental stress information and physical strain information to the subject via the audio speaker.

17. An apparatus adapted to be worn by a subject, the apparatus comprising:

at least one physiological sensor configured to sense physiological information from a subject, wherein the physiological information comprises physical strain information;

at least one environmental sensor configured to sense environmental information in a vicinity of the subject, wherein the environmental information comprises environmental stress information;

at least one processor coupled to the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one environmental sensor, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate with a location sensor to pinpoint a location of where physical strain occurs or to pinpoint a location of environmental stress; and

at least one transmitter responsive to the processor that is configured to transmit the physical strain information and environmental stress information to a remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to process the physiological information and environmental information over time to enable a time-dependent analysis of the subject'"'"'s health and environment and/or a comparison between the subject'"'"'s health and environment.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is a headset.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a speaker, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate therapeutic sounds to the subject via the speaker in response to the at least one physiological sensor sensing physical strain information and/or the at least one environmental sensor sensing environmental stress information in a vicinity of the subject.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the location sensor comprises a GPS receiver.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a visual display, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to display information via the visual display.

23. A headset adapted to be worn by a subject, the headset comprising:

at least one physiological sensor configured to sense physiological information from the subject;

at least one footstep sensor configured to sense footstep information;

at least one processor configured to preprocess signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one footstep sensor for further processing by a portable telecommunication device and/or to process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor to produce processed signals containing cleaner physiological information and to process signals produced by the at least one footstep sensor to produce processed signals that identify footsteps; and

at least one transmitter responsive to the at least one processor that is configured to transmit preprocessed signals and/or processed signals to a remote device and/or portable telecommunication device.

24. The headset of claim 23, further comprising a visual display, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to display information from the processed signals via the visual display.

25. The headset of claim 23, wherein the at least one footstep sensor comprises at least one acoustic sensor, mechanical sensor, accelerometer, MEMS device, and/or gyroscope.

26. The headset of claim 23, wherein the at least one physiological sensor is configured to sense heart rate and breathing rate.