SENSOR-BASED CONDITION MONITOR

• US 20170281075A1
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cognitive Health LLC
• Original Assignee: Cognitive Health LLC
• Inventors: Younker, Bill
• Application Number:
  US15/509,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20170281075A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• 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 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• 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 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation

Abstract

A sensor-based system that measures at least one parameter relating to an individual and provides feedback to the individual when any of the measured parameters exceed a threshold value for that parameter. In some instances, the system can be used to monitor an individual recovering from a condition, for example, mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The system can include a wearable sensor that measures parameters, which may relate to the individual'"'"'s movement, physiological function, and/or environment. The system can include a controller that receives the parameter measurements and determines whether such measurements are acceptable by comparison to a threshold value. The system can also include a feedback device that alerts the individual when a measured parameter is unacceptable, for example, with a visual, audible, and/or haptic cue, as well as the capability to receive input from the user when an otherwise acceptable parameter level is causing discomfort.

Claims

1. A wearable, sensor-based system for monitoring an individual, the system comprising:

a sensor adapted to measure a parameter related to at least one of movement, a physiological function, and environment of the individual;

a controller adapted to receive sensor measurement and determine whether the sensor measurement is acceptable by comparison to a threshold value; and

a feedback device in communication with the controller adapted to alert the individual when the sensor measurement is not acceptable, wherein the controller is further adapted to periodically increase the threshold value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of different parameter measurement elements.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a headband adapted to be worn by the individual.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement parameter is selected from the group consisting of linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and angular acceleration of a head of the individual and combinations thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological function parameter is selected from the group consisting of heart rate, body temperature, cognitive activity, and amount of sleep.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the environment parameter is selected from the group consisting of ambient light level and ambient noise level.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback device comprises a wearable device separate from the sensor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the feedback device comprises a wristband.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback device alerts the individual with at least one of a visual cue, an audible cue, and a haptic cue.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the feedback device and the sensor communicate wirelessly with the controller.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to receive input from the individual indicating at least one of presence and absence of discomfort.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the feedback device comprises an interface adapted to be engaged by the individual to indicate at least one of presence and absence of discomfort and to notify the controller.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further adapted to decrease the threshold value upon receiving a communication indicating discomfort.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the threshold value is decreased to a previous level.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback device comprises a mobile telecommunications device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile telecommunications device comprises at least one of a smartphone and a smartwatch.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the parameter further relates to mobile telecommunication device usage.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to communicate data to a remote data storage device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the remote storage device comprises a server that hosts the communicated data on a web portal.

20. A method of using a wearable, sensor-based device for monitoring an individual, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring a parameter related to at least one of movement, a physiological function, and environment of the individual;

determining whether the measured parameter is acceptable by comparison to a threshold value;

alerting the individual when the measured parameter is not acceptable; and

periodically increasing the threshold value.

21-27. -27. (canceled)