METHOD, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING AN ATTACHMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC PATCH

• US 20150292856A1
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Healthcare Informatics Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: GANTON, Robert Bruce, Ballam, Robert Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,459,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/028 Arrangements to prevent overuse, e.g. by counting the number of uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0257 Proximity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6844 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/023 for measuring distance between sensor and object G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94042 Means for reducing energy consumption

Abstract

An electronic sensor patch includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the electronic sensor patch is applied to a patient. A processor may be powered down for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body. The electronic sensor patch may be activated in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body. The capacitance sensor may be used to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body by measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor, comparing the measured capacitance to a threshold, and determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

Claims

1. A method of activating an electronic sensor patch configured to be applied to a patient, comprising:

using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body;

powering down a processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is not in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to the body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

measuring a capacitance of the capacitance sensor;

comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval;

energizing the capacitance sensor;

measuring, by the processor, a capacitance of the capacitance sensor based on energizing the capacitance sensor;

comparing, by the processor, the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein energizing the capacitance sensor comprises applying to the capacitance sensor one of a voltage from a voltage source, and a constant current from a constant current source.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein powering down a processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body comprises:

starting a timer in response determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body;

powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode that monitors the timer and reduces a power consumption by processor and electronic sensor patch components;

determining based on the timer whether the predetermined time interval has elapsed; and

leaving the processor in the low-power mode in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has not elapsed,

wherein energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval comprises energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

executing, by the processor, a manufacturing mode in response to connection to a battery power source, wherein while in the manufacturing mode the capacitance sensor is not activated;

determining whether a time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold, wherein the first time threshold represents an amount of time that the electronic sensor patch may be handled during manufacturing and testing; and

executing, by the processor, a shelf mode in which the capacitance sensor is activated at the predetermined time interval in response to determining that the time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch; and

transmitting an indication of the determined duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode.

8. An electronic sensor patch, comprising:

a battery;

a capacitance sensor; and

a processor coupled to the battery and the capacitance sensor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body;

placing the processor in a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body.

9. The electronic sensor patch of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor;

comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

10. The electronic sensor patch of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval;

energizing the capacitance sensor;

measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor based on energizing the capacitance sensor;

comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

11. The electronic sensor patch of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that energizing the capacitance sensor comprises applying to the capacitance sensor one of a voltage from a voltage source, and a constant current from a constant current source.

12. The electronic sensor patch of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that powering down a processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body comprises:

starting a timer in response determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body;

powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode that monitors the timer but minimizes power consumption by processor and electronic sensor patch components;

determining based on the timer whether the predetermined time interval has elapsed; and

leaving the processor in the low-power mode in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has not elapsed,

wherein energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval comprises energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

13. The electronic sensor patch of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

executing a manufacturing mode in response to connection to a battery power source, wherein while in the manufacturing mode the capacitance sensor is not activated;

determining whether a time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold, wherein the first time threshold represents an amount of time that the electronic sensor patch may be handled during manufacturing and testing; and

executing a shelf mode in which the capacitance sensor is activated at the predetermined time interval in response to determining that the time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold.

14. The electronic sensor patch of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch; and

transmitting an indication of the determined duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode.

15. An electronic sensor patch, comprising:

a battery;

a capacitance sensor;

means for using the capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body;

means for placing the electronic sensor patch in a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body; and

means for activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body.

16. The electronic sensor patch of claim 15, wherein means for using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

means for measuring a capacitance of the capacitance sensor;

means for comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

means for determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

17. The electronic sensor patch of claim 15, wherein means for using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

means for energizing the capacitance sensor upon expiration of the predetermined time interval;

means for measuring a capacitance of the capacitance sensor based on energizing the capacitance sensor;

means for comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

means for determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

18. The electronic sensor patch of claim 17, wherein means for energizing the capacitance sensor comprises means for applying to the capacitance sensor one of a voltage from a voltage source, and a constant current from a constant current source.

19. The electronic sensor patch of claim 17, wherein means for placing the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body comprises:

means for starting a timer in response determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body;

means for powering down the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode that maintains the timer but minimizes power consumption by electronic sensor patch components;

means for determining based on the timer whether the predetermined time interval has elapsed; and

means for leaving the electronic sensor patch in the low-power mode in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has not elapsed,

wherein means for energizing the capacitance sensor upon expiration of the predetermined time interval comprises means for energizing the capacitance sensor in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

20. The electronic sensor patch of claim 15, further comprising:

means for executing a manufacturing mode in response to connection to a battery power source, wherein while in the manufacturing mode the capacitance sensor is not activated;

means for determining whether a time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold, wherein the first time threshold represents an amount of time that the electronic sensor patch may be handled during manufacturing and testing; and

means for executing a shelf mode in which the capacitance sensor is activated at the predetermined time interval in response to determining that the time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold.

21. The electronic sensor patch of claim 20, further comprising:

means for determining a duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch; and

means for transmitting an indication of the determined duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode.

22. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of an electronic sensor patch to perform operations comprising:

using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body;

powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body.

23. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor perform operations such that using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor;

comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

24. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor perform operations such that using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body comprises:

energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval;

energizing the capacitance sensor;

measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor based on energizing the capacitance sensor;

comparing the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor to a threshold; and

determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

25. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that energizing the capacitance sensor comprises applying to the capacitance sensor one of a voltage from a voltage source, and a constant current from a constant current source.

26. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body comprises:

starting a timer in response determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body;

powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode that monitors the timer and reduces a power consumption by processor and electronic sensor patch components;

determining based on the timer whether the predetermined time interval has elapsed; and

leaving the processor in the low-power mode in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has not elapsed,

wherein energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch upon expiration of the predetermined time interval comprises energizing the processor of the electronic sensor patch in response to determining based on the timer that the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

27. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

executing a manufacturing mode in response to connection to a battery power source, wherein while in the manufacturing mode the capacitance sensor is not activated;

determining whether a time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold, wherein the first time threshold represents an amount of time that the electronic sensor patch may be handled during manufacturing and testing; and

executing a shelf mode in which the capacitance sensor is activated at the predetermined time interval in response to determining that the time since the connection to the battery power source exceeds a first time threshold.

28. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the electronic sensor patch to perform operations further comprising:

determining a duration that the processor has been in the shelf mode in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch; and

transmitting an indication of the determined duration that the electronic sensor patch has been in the shelf mode.

29. A method of deactivating an electronic sensor patch configured to be applied to a patient, comprising:

activating an active life timer in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch;

determining, by a processor of the electronic sensor patch, whether the active life timer has expired; and

deactivating, by the processor, the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to the body.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising executing an on-body operations mode to perform one or more on-body operations in response to activating the electronic sensor patch.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more on-body operations include at least one member of the group consisting of:

a sensing operation; and

a communication operation.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising powering down the processor of the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is not in close proximity to a body.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising sending a deactivation signal in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the deactivation signal indicates that the electronic patch will be deactivated.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired comprises purging data stored in memory of the electronic sensor patch.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein purging data stored in memory of the electronic sensor patch comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

disconnecting power to the memory; and

overwriting data stored in the memory.

38. The method of claim 29, wherein determining whether the active life timer has expired comprises determining that the active life timer has expired when the value of the active life timer is one of:

zero;

equal to an active life time value; and

less than the active life time value.

39. An electronic sensor patch, comprising:

a battery;

an active life timer;

a capacitance sensor; and

a processor coupled to the battery, the active life timer, and the capacitance sensor, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

activating the active life timer in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch;

determining whether the active life timer has expired; and

deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

40. The electronic sensor patch of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable-instructions to perform operations further comprising:

using the capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to the body.

41. The electronic sensor patch of claim 40, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

executing an on-body operations mode to perform one or more on-body operations in response to activating the electronic sensor patch.

42. The electronic sensor patch of claim 40, further comprising:

a radio module coupled to the processor; and

one or more sensors coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that the one or more on-body operations include at least one member of the group consisting of;

sensing operations using the one or more sensors; and

a communication operation using the radio module.

43. The electronic sensor patch of claim 40, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

powering down the processor to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is not in close proximity to a body.

44. The electronic sensor patch of claim 39, further comprising a radio module coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations further comprising sending a deactivation signal using the radio module in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

45. The electronic sensor patch of claim 44, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such the deactivation signal indicates that the electronic patch will be deactivated.

46. The electronic sensor patch of claim 39, further comprising a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired comprises purging data stored in the memory.

47. The electronic sensor patch of claim 46, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that purging data stored in the memory comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

disconnecting power to the memory; and

overwriting data stored in the memory.

48. The electronic sensor patch of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations such that determining whether the active life timer has expired comprises determining that the active life timer has expired when the value of the active life timer is one of:

zero;

equal to an active life time value; and

less than the active life time value.

49. An electronic sensor patch, comprising:

a battery;

an active life timer;

a capacitance sensor; and

means for activating the active life timer in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch;

means for determining whether the active life timer has expired; and

means for deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to a determination that the active life timer has expired.

50. The electronic sensor patch of claim 49, further comprising:

means for using the capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body; and

means for activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining determination that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to the body.

51. The electronic sensor patch of claim 50, further comprising:

means for executing an on-body operations mode to perform one or more on-body operations in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch.

52. The electronic sensor patch of claim 50, wherein means for executing one or more on-body operations comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

means for executing a sensing operation; and

means for executing a communication operation.

53. The electronic sensor patch of claim 50, further comprising:

means for powering down the electronic sensor patch to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to a determination that the electronic sensor patch is not in close proximity to a body.

54. The electronic sensor patch of claim 49, further comprising means for sending a deactivation signal in response to a determination that the active life timer has expired.

55. The electronic sensor patch of claim 54, wherein the deactivation signal indicates that the electronic patch will be deactivated.

56. The electronic sensor patch of claim 49, wherein means for deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to a determination that the active life timer has expired comprises means for purging data stored in memory of the electronic sensor patch.

57. The electronic sensor patch of claim 56, wherein means for purging data stored in memory of the electronic sensor patch comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

means for disconnecting power to the memory; and

means for overwriting data stored in the memory.

58. The electronic sensor patch of claim 49, wherein means for determining whether the active life timer has expired comprises means for determining that the active life timer has expired when the value of the active life timer is one of:

zero;

equal to an active life time value; and

less than the active life time value.

59. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of an electronic sensor patch to perform operations comprising:

activating an active life timer in response to activation of the electronic sensor patch;

determining whether the active life timer has expired; and

deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

60. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations further comprising:

using a capacitance sensor to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body; and

activating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to the body.

61. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations further comprising:

executing an on-body operations mode to perform one or more on-body operations in response to activating the electronic sensor patch.

62. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations such that the one or more on-body operations include at least one member of the group consisting of:

one or more sensing operations; and

a communication operation.

63. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations further comprising:

powering down the processor to a low-power mode for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic sensor patch is not in close proximity to a body.

64. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations further comprising sending a deactivation signal in response to determining that the active life timer has expired.

65. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations such that sending the deactivation signal indicates that the electronic patch will be deactivated.

66. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations such that deactivating the electronic sensor patch in response to determining that the active life timer has expired comprises purging data stored in memory of the electronic sensor patch.

67. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations such that purging data stored in the memory of the electronic sensor patch comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

disconnecting power to the memory; and

overwriting data stored in the memory.

68. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of the electronic sensor patch to perform operations such that determining whether the active life timer has expired comprises determining that the active life timer has expired when the value of the active life timer is one of:

zero;

equal to an active life time value; and

less than the active life time value.