Biosensor with electrodes and pressure compensation

• US 8,965,479 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2014
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Affectiva, Inc. (Smart Eye AB)
• Original Assignee: Affectiva, Inc. (Smart Eye AB)
• Inventors: Wilder-Smith, Oliver Orion, Picard, Rosalind Wright
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANTISKAY, BRIAN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/325,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20140323826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/382, 600/384, 600/386, 600388-391, 600/393
• US Class Current: 600/382
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/166 the sensor is mounted on a specially adapted printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A biosensor is described which can obtain physiological data from an individual. The biosensor may collect electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and other information. The biosensor may be attached to the body through the use of a garment which may be fastened in multiple locations on the human body. The biosensor has replaceable electrodes which may be interchanged. The electrodes contact the body without having any wires or leads external to the sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring physiological information of an individual comprising:

a sensor adapted to capture electrodermal activity and at least one of skin temperature, heart rate, or heart rate variability;

a circuit board incorporated as part of the sensor;

a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the circuit board; and

a pressure sensing device coupled to an electrode, from the plurality of electrodes, and circuitry, coupled to the circuit board, adapted to compensate electrodermal activity evaluations based on a measurement, by the pressure sensing device, of force applied to the electrode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a band to secure the sensor to a body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the band comprises a wristband.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the band provides for attachment to multiple locations on the body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes have leadless attachment to the sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes have a leadless attachment to the sensor such that no wires are included between the circuit board and the plurality of electrodes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the leadless attachment includes no wires external to the sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising thermal tape for thermal connection between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit board wherein the thermal connection provides for measurement of skin temperature.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising thermal epoxy for thermal connection between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit board wherein the thermal connection provides for measurement of skin temperature.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing device comprises a force sensitive resistor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing device includes one or more of a force sensitive resistor, a piezoelectric device, a piezoelectric polymer, and a pressure sensitive gels.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry corrects electrodermal activity evaluations based on temperature of skin.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry compensates skin temperature evaluation based on force applied to the plurality of electrodes.

14. A wearable apparatus for monitoring physiological information for an individual comprising:

a garment adapted to be worn on a body;

a sensor, attached to the garment, which indicates at least one of electrodermal activity, skin temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variability;

a circuit board incorporated as part of the sensor;

a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the circuit board; and

a pressure sensing device coupled to an electrode, from the plurality of electrodes, and circuitry, coupled to the circuit board, adapted to compensate electrodermal activity evaluations based on a measurement, by the pressure sensing device, of force applied to the electrode.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the garment provides for attachment to multiple locations on the body.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising thermal tape for thermal connection between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit board wherein the thermal connection provides for measurement of skin temperature.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising thermal epoxy for thermal connection between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit board wherein the thermal connection provides for measurement of skin temperature.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the circuitry corrects electrodermal activity evaluations based on temperature of skin.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the circuitry compensates skin temperature evaluation based on force applied to the plurality of electrodes.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pressure sensing device includes one or more of a force sensitive resistors, a piezoelectric device, a piezoelectric polymer, and a pressure sensitive gel.