Monitoring device for attachment to a surface of a subject

• US 9,521,970 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braemar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biotelemetry Technology ApS
• Inventors: Hoppe, Karsten, Janting, Jakob
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Archer, Marie
• Application Number:
  US13/518,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20120330126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,190 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/333 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/20 Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening

Abstract

The invention provides a monitoring device (1) for attachment to a surface of a subject. The device comprises a data collector (2) and a processor (3) as two separate parts which can be detachably joined such that physiological signals which are detected by the data collector can be transferred to the processor for signal processing and provision of monitoring data. At least one of the data collector and the processor comprises a transducer which can convert the physiological signal to a data signal which can be processed electronically. The data collector is adapted for adhesive contact with a skin surface, and may comprise an adapter (6) for the detachable attachment of the processor.

Claims

1. A monitoring device suitable for attachment to a surface of a subject, the device comprising:

a data collector and a processor, the data collector having a lower surface, adapted for adhesive contact with a skin surface of the subject and adapted for receiving a physiological signal from the surface, the data collector comprising a transmission structure for transmitting a monitoring signal which represents the physiological signal to the processor, and the processor being detachably attachable to an upper surface of the data collector and comprising a connection structure which, upon attachment, connects to the transmission structure for receiving the monitoring signal from the data collector, wherein the processor comprises an electronic circuit for processing the monitoring signal to provide monitoring data which relates to a physiological state of the subject, wherein at least one of the data collector and the processor comprises a transducer which can convert the physiological signal to a data signal which can be processed electronically, wherein the data collector comprises a base forming the lower surface and an opposite upper surface, the data collector further comprising an adapter projecting in an upwards direction from the upper surface and forming an anchoring structure cooperating with a gripping structure on the processor for the detachable attachment of the processor to the data collector and wherein the gripping structure is adapted to destroy the anchoring structure upon detachment of the data collector from the processor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure and transmission structure are adapted to transfer electrical signals.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure and transmission structure are adapted to transfer optical signals.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base and adapter have different shapes.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base is more elastically deformable than the adapter.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission structure comprises at least two individual transmitters for transmitting separate data signals from the base through the adapter to the processor.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the transmitters are individually and movably suspended in a body of an electrically isolating material.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the body forms a seat for a battery, wherein the transmitters are arranged along a line extending circumferentially about the battery.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the seat includes an electrically conductive bushing extending circumferentially about the battery.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator which converts energy from one form to another form which can be sensed by an individual using the device.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the actuator is included in the data collector.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the data collector is adapted for two-way communication of signals to and from an individual using the device.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface comprises an adhesive with a refractive index in the range of 1.01 to 1.45.

14. A method of monitoring data based on physiological signals received from a subject, the method comprising attaching a data collector capable of detecting physiological signals to a surface of the subject and using a separate processor which is attached to the data collector for processing the detected signals and to provide monitoring data which relates to a physiological state of the subject, wherein at least one of the data collector and the processor comprises a transducer which can convert the physiological signal to a data signal which can be processed electronically, wherein the data collector is attached to the processor by use of an anchoring structure cooperating with a gripping structure on the processor, wherein the gripping structure destroys the anchoring structure upon detachment of the data collector from the processor.