WIRELESS SENSOR READER ASSEMBLY

• US 20180247095A1
• Filed: 02/23/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
• Inventors: Sundaram, Balamurugan, Nagy, Michael, Nielsen, Douglas, Sundaram, Suresh, Rowland, Harry
• Granted Patent: US 10,430,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/02 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/06 Bio-MEMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Disclosed are a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to analyze the strength of a response signal transmitted from the wireless sensor in response to an excitation pulse generated by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage be placed in a plurality of modes to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the wireless sensor to output a resonant signal. The reader device may receive the resonant signal from the wireless sensor and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the strength and the proximity of the reader device relative to the wireless sensor as it is implanted in a patient.

Claims

1. A system for wirelessly sensing a parameter from a remote location, comprising:

a handheld reader device configured to communicate with a wireless sensor;

wherein said handheld reader device includes a plurality of modes to establish communication with said wireless sensor, said modes comprising;

a docked mode wherein said handheld reader device is not in use;

a search mode wherein said handheld reader device attempts to establish the proper distance acceptable for taking readings from the wireless sensor, and

a read mode wherein said handheld reader device reads and samples response signals from the wireless sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless sensor is configured to change its resonant frequency in proportion to at least one sensed parameter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless sensor is a passive sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote data interface to communicate with said reader device.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a docking station configured to receive said handheld reader device and to electrically communicate with said handheld reader device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said reader device includes a battery.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said docking station is configured to recharge said battery of the reader device.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said docking station includes a remote data interface that is configured to accept raw frequency data and format it for communication with a remote device.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein said docking station is configured to provide a data link function and a data storage function.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless sensor is implanted within a human patient.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein when said handheld reader device is in said search mode, said handheld reader device is configured to receive at least one response signal from said wireless sensor and compare a characteristic of said at least one signal to a predetermined threshold value.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said comparison of said signals to said predetermined threshold value is made by a device external to said reader device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said comparison of said signals to said predetermined threshold value are displayed on a screen.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said comparison of said signals to said predetermined threshold value are used to provide feedback to a user of said handheld reader device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said feedback comprises audible, visual, or haptic signals.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said feedback is configured to guide said user to locate said handheld reader device in a position aligned relative to said sensor that enables wireless communication.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said feedback is configured to inform said user that alignment with said sensor has been achieved establishing a locked condition between said reader device and said wireless sensor and causing said handheld reader device to enter said read mode.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein said handheld reader device processes said strength of said signals to determine that a sufficient number of acceptable reading samples are obtained during read mode.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said handheld reader device is configured to determine that a reading attempt of the wireless sensor is successful or unsuccessful and to provide an audible, visual, or haptic signal to said user identifying a passed or a failed reading attempt.

42. The system of claim 5, wherein said handheld reader device enters said search mode automatically upon being removed from said docking station.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein said handheld reader device is configured to enter a travel mode, wherein said travel mode places said handheld reader device in a state conducive to transport to a new location such that said handheld reader device is configured to inhibit at least one audible, visual, or haptic signal.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein a user may place said handheld reader device into said travel mode by a switch, said switch comprises at least one of:

a mechanical switch, a capacitive switch, a tactile switch, a voice-activated switch, a toggle switch, a momentary switch, an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, a spoken command, and a fingerprint sensor.

45. The system of claim 5, wherein said handheld reader device and said docking station are configured to execute a self-test while said reader device is placed in said docking station.

61. The system of claim 5, wherein said reader device further enters a mode wherein at least one audio, visual, or haptic signal guides a user to place said reader device onto said docking station.

62. The system of claim 11, wherein said characteristic of said at least one response signal is the strength of said signal.

63. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one response signal is a ring signal.

64. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one response signal is a digital signal.

20. A method for communicating between a handheld reader device and a wireless sensor, the method comprising:

providing a reader device configured to communicate with a wireless sensor;

placing said reader device in close proximity to said wireless sensor;

generating a plurality of excitation pulses from an antenna of said reader device to excite said wireless sensor to generate at least one response signal;

receiving at said reader device, at least one response signal from said wireless sensor;

comparing a characteristic of said at least one response signal with a predetermined threshold; and

determining whether said reader device and said wireless sensor are in a locked condition for further communication.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of changing a resonant frequency of said wireless sensor in proportion to at least one sensed parameter.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of placing said reader device in a docked mode by connecting said reader device to a docking station.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said docking station charges a battery of said reader device.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said reader device provides an audible, visual, or haptic signal to guide a user to position said reader device relative to said sensor.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein said reader device provides an audible, visual, or haptic signal to guide a user through a search mode and a read mode.

67. The method of claim 20, wherein said characteristic of said at least one response signal is the strength of said signal.

68. The method of claim 20, wherein said at least one response signal is a ring signal.

69. The method of claim 20, wherein said at least one response signal is a digital signal.

26. A wireless sensor reader device comprising:

a transmit circuit configured to generate an excitation pulse to cause a wireless sensor to emit a response signal;

an antenna configured to transmit said excitation pulse and receive said response signal;

a lock circuit for evaluating whether said wireless sensor is in sufficient proximity to said reader device to take readings from said wireless sensor;

wherein said reader device is handheld.

27. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, wherein said reader device further comprising a fingerprint sensor.

28. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, wherein said reader device is configured to ensure that designated users operate said reader device.

29. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 27, wherein said reader device is configured to associate data from said fingerprint sensor with the data captured during a reading event.

30. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, wherein said reader device further comprising a circuit for measuring electrocardiogram data.

31. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 30, wherein said circuit comprises remote electrodes that connect to said reader device.

32. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 31, wherein said electrocardiogram circuit comprises electrodes that are built into the surface of said reader device.

33. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 30, wherein said circuit for measuring electrocardiogram data is selected from among the following types of electrocardiogram measurement:

one lead, two leads, four leads, eight leads, and twelve leads.

34. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 30, wherein said reader device measures and records data from said wireless sensor and said electrocardiogram simultaneously.

35. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, further comprising a tilt sensor.

36. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 35, wherein said tilt sensor is an accelerometer.

37. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 35, wherein said tilt sensor is configured to record an orientation of said reader device with respect to gravity.

38. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 36, wherein said accelerometer is configured to record motion of the reader device during a reading mode.

39. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, further comprising a means for authenticating a user by recording speech from said user, and associating said speech record with data derived from a given reading.

40. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 30, wherein said electrocardiogram data is combined with a parametric data from said wireless sensor to enable hemodynamic analysis.

41. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, wherein said reader device includes circuitry for determining its geographic location.

46. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 26, wherein said reader device uploads said response signal data to a remote database and processor.

47. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 46, wherein said response signal data is uploaded as raw data and processed according to an algorithm to produce processed data.

48. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said remote database and processor stores said raw data and said processed data.

49. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 48, wherein said algorithm utilizes calibration data originally obtained during the manufacture of said reader device or said wireless sensor.

50. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said algorithm utilizes calibration data obtained during surgical implantation of said wireless sensor into a patient.

51. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said algorithm utilizes historical data processed by said reader device.

52. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 51, wherein said algorithm is a learning algorithm.

53. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said processed data is representative of a strength of said response signal received by said wireless sensor.

54. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 53, wherein said reader device is configured to reject said response signals that fail to meet said at least one predetermined threshold.

55. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said algorithm utilizes data taken from a second sensor configured to measure a parameter different from the parameter measured by the first said wireless sensor.

56. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 55, wherein said second sensor is selected from among the following sensor types:

barometer, accelerometer, tilt sensor, blood glucose sensor, inspiration spirometer, pulse oximeter, arterial blood pressure sensor, electrocardiogram, weight scale, or echo-cardiogram.

57. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said wireless sensor is implanted in a patient, and said algorithm utilizes data taken from said patient'"'"'s medical record.

58. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein wireless sensor is implanted in a patient, and said algorithm utilizes data taken from said patient'"'"'s answers to health related questions.

59. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 56, wherein said second sensor is connected to said reader device.

60. The wireless sensor reader device of claim 47, wherein said algorithm is a hemodynamic algorithm.

65. The device of claim 26, wherein said at least one response signal is a ring signal.

66. The device of claim 26, wherein said at least one response signal is a digital signal.