CLIP-ON OPTICAL OR ECG LIGHT BASED PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE

A light-based or ECG physiological measurement system including a clip-on device configured to secure to a head-worn accessory while still allowing physiological measurement from a patent. The device may include a body; a physiological parameter measurement sensor at least partially disposed inside the body and configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of a user. The physiological parameter measurement sensor includes a securing mechanism configured to attach the physiological parameter measurement sensor to a user wearable device.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a clip-on device for securing a physiological measurement device to a portion of a user's body and/or wearable accessories.

BACKGROUND

Physiological measurement devices can collect or analyze a patient's physiological parameters such as blood oxygen saturation level, temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, and the like. Such devices can include, for example, acoustic sensors, electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors, electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, blood pressure monitors, temperature sensors, pulse oximeters, among others. The use of physiological measurement devices can be used to diagnose a condition, monitor the efficacy of a treatment, and/or identify potential health risks.

SUMMARY

There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an optical or ECG based physiological measurement device. The optical or ECG based physiological measurement device includes a body; a physiological parameter measurement sensor at least partially disposed inside the body and configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of a user, the physiological parameter measurement sensor comprising a light emitter and a light detector, the light emitter emitting light of at least two wavelengths and wherein the physiological parameter measurement sensor is further configured to measure pulse oximetry (SpO2) or ECG; wherein the physiological parameter measurement sensor comprises a securing mechanism configured to attach the physiological parameter measurement sensor to a user wearable device.

There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure a clip-on device configured to secure to a head-worn accessory. The clip-on device includes a body; a physiological parameter measurement sensor at least partially disposed inside the body and configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of a user; wherein the physiological parameter measurement sensor includes a securing mechanism configured to attach the physiological parameter measurement sensor to a user wearable device.

In some aspects, the securing mechanism includes a channel extending along a length of the clip-on device, the channel configured to receive and secure at least a portion of the user wearable device.

In some aspects, a size of the channel can expand or contract as the portion of the user wearable device is inserted in the channel.

In some aspects, the securing mechanism includes a first panel including a first end, a second end opposite the first end; a second panel including a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and a hinge configured to secure the first panel and the second panel together and transition the clip-on device between a first position, a second position, and a third position; wherein when the clip-on device is in the first position, the first end of the first panel and the first end of the second panel are not in contact forming a first slit, and the second end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel are not in contact forming a second slit; wherein the first and second slits can receive a portion of the user wearable device; wherein when the clip-on device is in the second position, the first end of the first panel and the first end of the second panel are in contact forming a first aperture, wherein the first aperture can secure the portion of the user wearable device; and wherein when the clip-on device is in the third position, the second end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel are in contact forming a second aperture, wherein the second aperture can secure the portion of the user wearable device.

In some aspects, the first panel and a shape of the second panel are the same.

In some aspects, the first aperture and the second aperture extend a length of the clip-on device.

In some aspects, the first aperture and the second aperture extend a width of the clip-on device.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of sunglasses.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of eyeglasses.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of bone conduction headphones.

In some aspects, the one or more physiological parameters include at least one of oxygen saturation and pulse rate of the user.

In some aspects, the physiological parameter measurement sensor includes at least one emitter and at least one detector.

In some aspects, the at least one emitter and the at least one detector contact at least a portion of the user's body when the clip-on device is secured to the user wearable device and the user wearable device is being worn by the user.

In some aspects, the portion of the user's body includes a head of the user.

There is provided in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure a physiological measurement device. The physiological measurement device includes a main body including, a first portion including a first face and a second face, a second portion including a first face and a second face, and a hinge portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the hinge portion mechanically coupling the first portion and the second portion; a physiological parameter measurement sensor configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of a user, the physiological parameter measurement sensor including at least one emitter and at least one detector, the at least one emitter and the at least one detector positioned on the first face of the first portion; wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to form at least one channel capable of receiving and securing a user wearable device.

In some aspects, the first portion further includes a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; the second portion further includes a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and the hinge portion configured to transition the main body between at least a first position, a second position, and a third position.

In some aspects, when the main body is in the first position, the first end of the first portion and the first end of the second portion are not in contact forming a first aperture, and the second end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion are not in contact forming a second aperture; wherein the first and second apertures can receive a portion of the user wearable device.

In some aspects, when the main body is in the second position, the first end of the first portion and the first end of the second portion are in contact forming a first channel, wherein the first channel can secure the portion of the user wearable device.

In some aspects, when the main body is in the third position, the second end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion are in contact forming a second channel, wherein the second channel can secure the portion of the user wearable device.

In some aspects, a shape of the first portion and a shape of the second portion are the same.

In some aspects, the first aperture and the second aperture extend a length of the main body.

In some aspects, the first aperture and the second aperture extend a width of the main body.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of sunglasses.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of eyeglasses.

In some aspects, the user wearable device includes a pair of bone conduction headphones.

In some aspects, the one or more physiological parameters include at least one of oxygen saturation and pulse rate of the user.

In some aspects, the at least one detector includes a near field detector and a far-field detector.

In some aspects, the at least one emitter is configured to generate and emit a near-field optical path and a far-field optical path through a tissue site of the user, wherein the near field detector is configured to detect the near-field optical path after attenuation through the tissue site of the user, and wherein the far field detector is configured to detect the far-field optical path after attenuation through the tissue site of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are described below, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof based on the disclosure herein. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by any particular embodiments described below.

Daily use of a physiological measurement device can be beneficial to a user (also referred to as a “wearer” herein). For instance, physiological measurement devices which incorporate pulse oximetry components can be utilized to measure and/or monitor various physiological parameters and/or characteristics such as oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, a plethysmograph waveform, perfusion index (PI), pleth variability index (PVI), methemoglobin (MetHb), carboxyhemoglobin (CoHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), glucose, electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, among others. The various physiological parameters and/or characteristics can beneficially be used to diagnose a condition, monitor the efficacy of a treatment, and/or identify potential health risks.

A physiological measurement device as described herein can include a clip-on device. The clip-on device can include a securing mechanism for securing the physiological measurement device to a portion of a user's body and/or to a wearable device. For instance, the securing mechanism of the physiological measurement device can be secured to sunglasses, eyeglasses, headphones, earphones, bone conduction headphones, and/or any other wearable device and/or item. This can allow users to integrate the physiological measurement device easily and conveniently into more than one wearable device and/or item. The physiological measurement device can also be swapped from one wearable device and/or item to another.

As shown inFIG.1, the physiological measurement device100(also referred herein to as a main body or housing) can include a physiological parameter measurement module configured to measure an indication of the wearer's physiological parameters and/or characteristics, which can include, for example, pulse rate, respiration rate, SpO2, Pleth Variability Index (PVI), Perfusion Index (PI), Respiration from the pleth (RRp), hydration, and/or other parameters and/or characteristics. The physiological parameter measurement module can include a skin-interfacing cover that encloses the one or more plurality of emitters162(such as LEDs) and the one or more detectors164a,164b(such as photodiodes).

FIGS.1-2illustrate top perspective and top views of a physiological measurement device100.FIGS.3-5illustrate a physiological measurement device100in contact with a skin of a user. The physiological measurement device100can include a securing mechanism for attaching the physiological measurement device100to another device and/or item. The device and/or item can include, but is not limited to, sunglasses, eyeglasses, headphones, earphones, bone conduction headphones, and/or any other wearable device and/or item. In some cases, the physiological measurement device100can be attached to and detached from devices as many times as needed thereby allowing users to use the physiological measurement device100with as many devices as desired. For example, the physiological measurement device100can be secured to a pair of sunglasses using the securing mechanism. The physiological measurement device100can then be detached from the sunglasses and reattached to a pair of bone conduction headphones. Beneficially, this provides a convenient, yet inexpensive, way for users to add physiological measurement capabilities to a wide variety of devices and/or items.

In some cases, the physiological measurement device100can be integrated into a device and/or item. For example, the physiological measurement device100can be part of the construction of the device and/or item. Using a pair of eyeglasses as an example, the physiological measurement device100can be integrated into one of the temples. Users can add physiological measuring capabilities to exiting devices and/or items, such as a pair of eyeglasses simply by replacing at least one of the stems of the eyeglasses with a stem incorporating a physiological measurement device100.

The physiological measurement device100can include a first panel110and a second panel120(also referred herein to as first portion and second portion respectively). The first panel110can include a first end112aand a second end112b. The first panel110can also include a first face112cand a second face112d. Similarly, the second panel120can include a first end122aand a second end122b. The second panel120can also include a first face122cand a second face122d. The first and second panels110,120can be coupled to each other via a hinge130, as shown inFIGS.3-5. In some cases, the first and second panels110,120can be coupled to each using a screw and/or magnets. The hinge130can be configured to allow the physiological measurement device100to transition between at least three positions. In a first position, and as shown inFIG.3, the first and second ends112a,112bof the first panel110are not in contact with the first and second ends122a,122bof the second panel120. In a second position, and as shown inFIG.4, the first ends112a,122aare in contact with each other and second ends112b,122bare not in contact with each other. Lastly, in a third position, and as shown inFIG.5, the first ends112a,122aare not in contact with each other and the second ends112b,122bare in contact with each other. A user can transition the physiological measurement device100from one state to another state by, for example bringing first ends112a,122atogether, bringing second ends112b,122btogether, or by moving the first and second panels110,120so that neither the first ends112a,122aor the second ends112b,122bare in contact with each other. The physiological measurement device100can include one or more emitters162(such as LEDs) and one or more detectors164a,164b(such as photodiodes). In some cases, the detector164aincludes a near field detector and the detector164bincludes a far-field detector. The one or more emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bcan be positioned on the first panel110, and their position onFIGS.1and2can be switched. In some cases, the one or more emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bcan be positioned on the first face of the112cof the first panel110. However, the one or more emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bcan be positioned anywhere on the measurement device100(e.g., on the second panel120).

When the physiological measurement device100is in the first position, the first ends112a,122adefine a first slit113aand the second ends112b,122bdefine a second slit113b, as shown inFIG.3. When the physiological measurement device100is in the second or third positions, the first ends112a,122band the second ends112b,122bcan define an aperture. For example, and as shown inFIG.4, when the first ends112a,122aare in contact with each other, a first aperture124is defined. Similarly, and as shown inFIG.5, when the second ends112b,122bare in contact with each other, a second aperture134is defined. The first sand second apertures124,134can extend across a width W of the physiological measurement device100. In some cases, the first and second apertures extend across a length L of the physiological measurement device100.

In some cases, instead of the first panel110and a second panel120being attached to each other using a hinge, a screw, and/or magnets, the first and second panels110,120can be structurally integral and form a main channel. The main channel can receive at least one portion of a device and/or item. For example, a temple of a pair of sunglasses can be inserted into the main channel. The main channel can have a tight construction thereby allowing it to secure the physiological measurement device100to the device and/or item (e.g., stem of a pair of sunglasses) yet preventing undesired and/or accidental movement of the physiological measurement device100along the structure of the device and/or item. For example, the tight construction of the main channel can allow users to insert and/or slide a portion of the device and/or item into the main channel and to adjust the position of the physiological measurement device100along the device and/or item. At the same time, the tight construction of the main channel can prevent the physiological measurement device from moving unless a minimum threshold force is applied (e.g., unless a user moves the physiological measurement device100and/or the device).

As shown inFIGS.6-9, the physiological measurement device100can be attached to other devices or artifacts such as sunglasses, eyeglasses, headphones, or bone conduction headphones, etc. For example, the physiological measurement device100can be attached to a pair of bone conduction headphones140, as shown inFIGS.6-8. The apertures124,134can facilitate securing of the physiological measurement device100to the bone conduction headphones140. The physiological measurement device100can be attached to the bone conduction headphones140by inserting a portion of a temple142of the bone conduction headphones140into the first or second slits113a,113b. After inserting a portion of the temple142into the first or second slits113a,133b, the physiological measurement device100can be transitioned to the second or third states thereby securing a portion of the temple142within apertures124or134. The physiological measurement device100can be secured along any portion of the temple142, as shown byFIGS.6-8. When the physiological measurement device100is attached to the bone conduction headphones140, the one or more of a plurality of emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bcan be in contact with a skin of a user, as shown inFIGS.3-5. The hinge130can be configured to pivot to allow the one or more of a plurality of emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bto maintain constant contact with the skin of a user. Beneficially, this can improve the amount of pressure and/or contact applied by the physiological measurement device100to the skin of the user when the physiological measurement device100is attached to the bone conduction headphones140.

The physiological measurement device100can also be attached to a pair of glasses, as shown inFIG.9. The apertures124,134can facilitate securing of the physiological measurement device100to the pair of glasses150. The physiological measurement device100can be attached to the pair of glasses150by inserting a portion of temple152or temple154of the pair of glasses150into the first or second slits113a,113b. After inserting a portion of temple152or temple154into the first or second slits113a,133b, the physiological measurement device100can be transitioned to the second or third states thereby securing a portion of temple152or temple154within apertures124or134. The physiological measurement device100can be secured along any portion of the temples152,154. When the physiological measurement device100is attached to the pair of glasses150, the one or more of a plurality of emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bcan be in contact with a skin of a user, as shown inFIGS.3-5. The hinge130can be configured to pivot to allow the one or more emitters162and the one or more detectors164a,164bto maintain constant contact with the skin of a user. Beneficially, this can improve the amount of pressure and/or contact applied by the physiological measurement device100to the skin of the user when the physiological measurement device100is attached to the bone conduction headphones140. Even though the physiological measurement device100can be attached to another device and/or item as described herein, the physiological measurement device100can also be attached to another device and/or item by any suitable means. Suitable means can include, but is not limited to, springs, clamps, clips, wire, wire-ties, ratchets, adhesives, Velcro hook-loop fasteners, tapes, magnets, and/or any other suitable attachment method.

In some implementations, the physiological measurement device100includes a module processor (which can include a memory) for driving the emitter(s)162to emit light of different wavelengths and/or to process one or more signals responsive to attenuated light after absorption by the body tissue of the wearer from the detectors164a,164b. The physiological monitoring device100can include various combinations of emitters162and/or detectors164a,164b. For example, the physiological measurement device100can include one emitter162and one or more detectors164a,164b, two emitters162of the same or different wavelengths and one or more detectors164a,164b, three or more emitters162of the same and/or different wavelengths and one or more detectors164a,164b. The physiological measurement device100can also include a plurality of detectors164a,164bsurrounding one or more emitters162. Optionally, the module processor can also determine and output for display the physiological parameters based on the detected signals. In some cases, the physiological measurement device can include a display (not shown) for displaying the physiological parameters based on the detected signals. The display can be located anywhere of the physiological measurement device100, like, for example, the first panel110and/or the second panel120. Optionally or alternatively, the physiological measurement device100can wirelessly communicate with a user device (e.g., a phone, smart watch, computer, tablet, etc.) that displays the physiological measurements. Alternatively, the physiological measurement device100can send the signals from the detectors164a,164b(for example, preprocessed signals) to a device processor, which can determine and output for display the physiological parameters based on the detected signals. The absorption of light can be via reflectance and/or transflectance by the wearer's body tissue, for example, by the pulsatile arterial blood flowing within a tissue site where the physiological measurement device100is worn (for example, behind the ear).

The emitter(s)162of the physiological measurement device100can be configured to emit a plurality of (for example, three, four, or more) wavelengths. The emitters162can be configured to emit light of a first wavelength providing an intensity signal that can act as a reference signal. The first wavelength can be more absorbent by the human body than light of other wavelengths emitted by the emitters162. The reference signal can be stronger and less likely to be affected by noise than the signals from other wavelengths emitted by the emitters162. The reference signal can be used by the module processor to extract information from the other signals, for example, information relevant to and/or indicative of the pulsing rate, harmonics, or otherwise. The module processor can focus the analysis on the extracted information for calculating physiological parameters of the wearer. The first wavelength can be from about 530 nm to about 650 nm, or from about 580 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 6340b nm to about 650 nm, or about 580 nm, or about 6340b nm. The light providing the reference signal can have an orange color. Alternatively, the light providing the reference signal can have a green color.

The emitters162can be configured to emit light having a second wavelength having a red color. The second wavelength can be from about 620 nm to about 660 nm. Light of the second wavelength can be more sensitive to changes in oxygen saturation (SpO2). The second wavelength is preferably closer to 620 nm, which results in greater absorption by the body tissue of the wearer, and therefore a stronger signal and/or a stepper curve in the signal, than a wavelength that is closer to 660 nm. The module processor can extract information such as the pleth waveform from signals of the second wavelength.

The emitter(s)162can be configured to emit light having a third wavelength of about 900 nm to about 910 nm, or about 905 nm, or about 907 nm. The pulse oximeter processor can use the third wavelength as a normalizing wavelength when calculating ratios of the intensity signals of the other wavelengths.

Additionally or optionally, the emitters162can be configured to emit light having a fourth wavelength that is more sensitive to changes in water than the rest of the emitted wavelengths. The fourth wavelength can be about 970 nm. The module processor can determine physiological parameters such as a hydration status of the wearer based at least in part on a comparison of the intensity signals of the fourth wavelength and a different wavelength detected by certain detectors164a,164b. The detectors164a,164bused for hydration monitoring, which will be described in greater detail below, can be located a predetermined distance away from the emitters162so that light travels through a certain depth of the tissue before being detected by those detectors164a,164b.

The physiological measurement device100can be used to measure and/or monitor various physiological parameters and/or characteristics of a user at or near the head/brain area.FIG.10illustrates the physiological measurement device100in contact with the skin of a user and generating near-field168aand far-field168bemitter-to-detector optical paths through the tissue site of the user. The emitters162can generate the near-field168aand far-field168boptical paths. The near-field168aand far-field168boptical paths can be detected by the detectors164a,164b. The resulting detector signals can be processed to calculate and display oxygen saturation (SpO2), delta oxygen saturation (ASpO2) and regional oxygen saturation (rSO2). The emitters162and the detectors164a,164bcan press against the skin of the user, advantageously maximizing the optical transmission and reception of the emitter162and detectors164a,164b.

The physiological measurement device100can optionally include one or more thermistors or other types of temperature sensors. The thermistor(s) can be placed near one or more groups of emitters162. The thermistor(s) can provide for wavelength correction of the light emitted by the emitters162. Optionally, the thermistor(s) can additionally measure a temperature of the wearer of the physiological measurement device100. Optionally there can be one or more thermistors located at other places of the physiological measurement device100. The physiological measurement device100can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and/or other position and/or posture detection sensor(s). Optionally, the module processor, the gyroscope, and/or the accelerometer can be located on a printed circuit board (PCB). The emitters162, the thermistor(s), and/or the detectors164a,164bcan also be positioned on the PCB in some implementations.

The physiological measurement can include its own device processor, which can be a digital/analog chip or other processor(s), such as a digital watch processor or a smartwatch processor. The physiological measurement device100can include a power source, which can be a battery, for powering the device processor, and/or the emitter(s)162and/or detector(s)164a,164b. The power source can be charged and recharged using a battery connection. The battery connection (not shown) can be positioned on the first panel110or the second panel120.

In some implementations, the physiological measurement device100includes a communication module. The communication module can facilitate communication (via wires and/or wireless connection) between the physiological measurement device100(and/or components thereof) and separate devices, such as separate monitoring and/or mobile devices. For example, the communication module can be configured to allow the physiological measurement device100to wirelessly communicate with other devices, systems, and/or networks over any of a variety of communication protocols. The communication module can be configured to use any of a variety of wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi (802.11x), Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Z-wave®, cellular telephony, infrared, near-field communications (NFC), RFID, satellite transmission, proprietary protocols, combinations of the same, and the like. The communication module can allow data and/or instructions to be transmitted and/or received to and/or from the physiological measurement device100and separate computing devices. The communication module can be configured to transmit (for example, wirelessly) processed and/or unprocessed physiological or other information to a separate computing devices, which can include, among others, a mobile device (for example, an iOS or Android enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop), a desktop computer, a server or other computing or processing device for display and/or further processing, among other things. Such separate computing devices can be configured to store and/or further process the received physiological and/or other information, to display information indicative of or derived from the received information, and/or to transmit information—including displays, alarms, alerts, and notifications—to various other types of computing devices and/or systems that may be associated with a hospital, a caregiver (for example, a primary care provider), and/or a user (for example, an employer, a school, friends, family) that have permission to access the subject's data. As another example, the communication module can be configured to wirelessly transmit processed and/or unprocessed obtained physiological information and/or other information (for example, motion and/or location data) to a mobile phone which can include one or more hardware processors configured to execute an application that generates a graphical user interface displaying information representative of the processed or unprocessed physiological and/or other information. The communication module can be and/or include a wireless transceiver.

Additional Considerations and Terminology

Although this disclosure has been described in the context of certain examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternative examples and/or uses of the disclosure and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the examples may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosure can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain features, elements, and/or steps are optional. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be always performed. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Further, the term “each,” as used herein, in addition to having its ordinary meaning, can mean any subset of a set of elements to which the term “each” is applied.