PATIENT WORN SENSOR ASSEMBLY

• US 20160228060A1
• Filed: 02/09/2016
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murata VIOS Incorporated (Murata Manufacturing Co Limited)
• Original Assignee: Vios Medical Singapore Pte Ltd (Murata Manufacturing Co Limited)
• Inventors: LaPlante, Brandon J., Mazar, Scott, Patel, Amit
• Granted Patent: US 10,285,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/225 Connectors or couplings
• 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 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A patient worn sensor assembly for detecting, recording, and communicating patient vital signs includes several structural features that can provide increased signal quality, reduction in signal noise, increased patient comfort, increased reliability, and increased adhesion to a patient'"'"'s skin. The patient worn sensor can track vital sign information such as blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, heart rhythm (via ECG), heart rate, blood glucose level, and hydration (bio-impedance) levels. The sensor can also track and record additional information about patients, including patient movement, activity, and sleep patterns.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for contacting a patient, the electrode assembly comprising:

an elastic layer that is substantially larger along an X-axis and a Y-axis in comparison to a Z-axis of the elastic layer;

a plurality of electrodes, a portion of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes extending at least partially through the elastic layer; and

a stabilizing sheet positioned between at least a portion of each electrode and the elastic layer, the stabilizing sheet configured to restrict movement of the plurality of electrodes relative to each other along the direction of the X-axis and the direction of the Y-axis;

wherein a portion of each electrode extends through the stabilizing sheet.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises a central electrode and two or more peripheral electrodes, the one or more peripheral electrodes arranged substantially equidistantly from the central electrode.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein the two or more peripheral electrodes comprises four electrodes wherein a distance between each adjacent pair of peripheral electrodes is substantially the same.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein a first surface area of a first plane of the stabilizing sheet defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis is less than a second surface area of a second plane of the elastic layer defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing sheet comprises label stock.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing sheet is substantially clover shaped.

7. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing sheet restricts the elastic layer from being stretched in the direction of the X-axis and in the direction of the Y-axis.

8. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastic layer comprises a foam layer.

9. An electrode assembly for contacting a patient, the electrode assembly comprising:

an elastic layer;

one or more electrodes, a portion of each of the one or more electrodes extending at least partially through the elastic layer; and

one or more gel contacts, each of the one or more gel contacts affixed to an electrode of the one or more electrodes, each of the gel contacts positioned such that when the elastic layer is placed in contact with skin of a patient, an air pocket at least partially surrounding the gel contact is formed, the air pocket being at least partially defined by the gel contact, the elastic layer, and the patient'"'"'s skin.

10. The electrode assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the gel contacts is further positioned to form an additional air pocket, the additional air pocket being at least partially defined by the gel contact, the electrode to which the gel contact is affixed, and the elastic layer.

11. The electrode assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or more electrodes comprise a plurality of electrodes, the electrode assembly further comprising a stabilizing sheet positioned between at least a portion of each electrode and the elastic layer, the stabilizing sheet configured to restrict movement of the plurality of electrodes relative to each other along the direction of the X-axis and the direction of the Y-axis;

wherein a portion of each electrode extends through the stabilizing sheet.

12. The electrode assembly of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing sheet restricts the elastic layer from being stretched in the direction of the X-axis and in the direction of the Y-axis.

13. A patient monitoring device for use with an electrode assembly configured to be applied to the skin of a patient, the device comprising:

an electronics assembly having one or more extending contacts, each of the one or more extending contacts configured to releasably couple to an electrode of the electrode assembly; and

one or more stabilizing boots, each of the one or more stabilizing boots encircling one of the one or more extending contacts.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more stabilizing boots is configured to allow for a greater degree of movement in a Z-axis direction than in X-axis and Y-axis directions of the electronics assembly relative to the patient.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein one or more stabilizing boots comprises a first stabilizing boot constructed of a material having a higher level of rigidity than the other stabilizing boots of the one or more stabilizing boots.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first stabilizing boot has a substantially central position relative to the other stabilizing boots of the one or more stabilizing boots.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first stabilizing boot restricts movement of the sensor assembly relative to the patient in the Z-axis to a greater degree than the other stabilizing boots of the one or more stabilizing boots.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the one or more stabilizing boots comprises five stabilizing boots, with the first stabilizing boot being equidistantly encircled by four other stabilizing boots.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more stabilizing boots at least partially encircles a portion of an electrode of the electrode assembly when the device is coupled to the electrode assembly.