Systems and Methods for Detecting Physiological Information of a User

• US 20140371601A1
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beijing Shunyuan Kaihua Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Physical Enterprises Inc.
• Inventors: Fei, Ming Shun
• Granted Patent: US 10,172,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for improving the reliability and accuracy of wearable physiological monitoring devices. A wearable monitoring device may comprise an inner surface configured for at least partial contact with a targeted tissue region of a person. The inner surface may comprise one or more outwardly projecting raised regions. The monitoring device may further comprise a physiological sensor, one or more components of which may be located at or near a raised region of the inner surface. In this manner, sufficient contact between the targeted tissue region and the inner surface, as well as proper placement of the one or more components of the sensor relative to the targeted tissue region, may be achieved. The accuracy and reliability of the monitoring device may also be less susceptible to the effects of ambient light and/or the movements of the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing and measuring at least one physiological parameter of a person, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising a front face, a rear face, and an interior region located between the front face and the rear face, at least a portion of the rear face configured for contact with a targeted area;

a raised region outwardly projecting from the rear face; and

a sensor for sensing at least one physiological parameter, the sensor at least partially located within the raised region.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one light source and at least one optical detector, each light source and each optical detector associated with a respective transparent member that facilitates the transmission of light between the optical sensor and the targeted area, each transparent member comprising a contact surface for contacting the targeted area.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one or more transparent members comprises an epoxy or lens.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each transparent member is at least partially positioned in an associated opening that extends through the raised region.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the contact surface of one or more transparent members is substantially flush with the raised region.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the raised region comprises an outwardly projecting further raised region.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each transparent member is at least partially positioned in an associated opening that extends through the further raised region and the contact surface of one or more transparent members is substantially flush with the further raised region.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the rear surface is curved to substantially correspond with the curvature of the targeted area.

9. A device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a person, the device comprising:

an elongate body comprising a front face, a rear face, and an interior region defined between the front and rear faces, at least a portion of the rear face configured for contacting a targeted tissue region;

a sensor for detecting at least one physiological parameter of a person;

the rear face comprising an outwardly protruding raised region, the raised region comprising at least one aperture for at least partially receiving the sensor.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a contact surface configured for contact with the targeted tissue region.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising at least one translucent member comprising the contact surface.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one translucent member is an epoxy or lens.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sensor further comprises at least one light source and at least one optical detector.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the raised region comprises an outwardly protruding further raised region, the contact surface being substantially flush with the further raised region.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the further raised region is substantially concentric with the raised region.

16. A wearable apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological parameter, the apparatus comprising:

a body comprising a rear face, at least a portion of the rear face configured for contact with a targeted area;

an optical sensor comprising at least one light source, at least one optical detector, and at least one substantially transparent member;

wherein the rear face comprises a base region and a raised region extending beyond the base region, the optical sensor being positioned at least partially within the raised region.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the raised region is substantially circular or elliptical.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the raised region comprises a further raised region extending beyond at least a portion of the raised region, the optical sensor being positioned at least partially within the further raised region.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the raised region or the further raised region comprises at least one barrier extending in a direction toward a front face of the body, the at least one barrier extending between the least one light source and the at least one optical detector.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the optical sensor comprises a pair of light sources and the optical detector is positioned between, and substantially equidistant from, the pair of light sources.