Abstract:
Bridge connectors employing flexible planar bodies having signal pathways coupling control devices with biometric sensors are disclosed. Sensors are placed in contact with a patient to detect a health condition and generate an output signal based on the health condition. A control device is linked to the sensors to receive the output signal for collection, analysis, storage, display, and/or subsequent transfer. A bridge connector includes a planar body with predetermined flexibility and signal pathways extending between data ports. By removably coupling the bridge connector to the control device and the sensors secured to the patient, the control device may be physically supported by the patient with minimal discomfort and low-cost biometric sensors may be used. In this manner, sensor replacement costs are reduced and the useful lives of the sensors can be maximized as the designed flexibility of the bridge connector facilitates removable coupling with the biometric sensors.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to patient healthcare systems, and in particular, to connectors coupling control devices with biometric sensors (e.g., electrocardiogram electrodes). 
         [0003]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Through advances in information technology, modern healthcare providers can quickly and easily visualize health conditions and vital statistics for a patient. For instance, biometric sensors may detect at least one health condition including a vital statistic of a patient and generate a signal including data based on the condition. For example, biometric sensors could be used to detect health conditions in the form of heart rate data, electrocardiogram data, blood pressure data, blood sugar data, and so on for a patient. These conditions may be collected over time and presented to health care providers caring for the patient. For example, a health care provider could monitor health conditions for the patient over extended timeframes, e.g., twenty-four hours or more, to monitor the health of the patient and to identify abnormalities which may occur. The abnormalities may be observable as changes in the biometric data. The abnormalities may be used by the medical care provider to provide long term care to the patient, predict future medical events, or to diagnose medical conditions of the patient. 
         [0005]    Biometric sensors or other measurement instruments may be directly attached to a patient&#39;s skin to detect health conditions and generate signals including data based on the health condition. The specific positions where health conditions may be detected are predetermined according to the health condition monitored and the location at the patient where the detection may practically occur. The signals generated by the biometric sensors can be communicated to a control device, which may then collect, analyze, transmit, display, and/or store the signals or alerts derived therefrom. In mobile or long-term use situations, the control device and the biometric sensor are conventionally provided in two parts: the control device and a customized, wearable patch that includes the biometric sensors and an interface to provide connectivity from the skin of the patient to the control device. The patch may, for example, be worn by the patient for several days during the time period of a medical prescription. Typically, these patches are disposable and have a limited useful life as patients often discard these patches after two to seven days of use, e.g., due to diminished contact of the biometric sensors of the patch with the skin of the patient. 
         [0006]    There are several issues that have sometimes arisen with the use of conventional patches. For example, conventional patches can suffer from reduced or limited life of the electrodes because of limitations of the skin-contacting bonding agent. Also, some patients may experience discomfort with the patch and consequently scratch, pull at, or altogether remove the patch from the skin. These patches often include relatively expensive conductive materials (e.g., silver/silver chloride) which extend from the biometric sensors to form connective interfaces with the control device, resulting in an increased cost for the device offering. As such, new lower cost approaches are needed to enable the biometric sensors to be worn by the patient for as long as possible with minimal discomfort and maintain contact with the skin of the patient to obtain accurate data of the health condition. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Bridge connectors employing flexible planar bodies having signal pathways coupling control devices with biometric sensors are disclosed. Biometric sensors are placed in contact with a patient to detect a health condition and generate an output signal based on the health condition. A control device is linked to the sensors to receive the output signal for collection, analysis, storage, display, and/ or subsequent transfer. A bridge connector includes a planar body with predetermined flexibility and signal pathways extending between data ports. By removably coupling the bridge connector to the control device and the sensors secured to the patient, the control device may be physically supported by the patient with minimal discomfort and low-cost biometric sensors may be used. In this manner, sensor replacement costs are reduced and the useful lives of the sensors can be maximized as the designed flexibility of the bridge connector facilitates removable coupling with the biometric sensors. 
         [0008]    One embodiment provides a bridge connector for coupling a control device to at least one biometric sensor. The bridge connector includes a flexible planar body including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first and second surfaces are separated by a thickness of the flexible planar body. The flexible planar body including at least one signal pathway interconnecting data ports at the first and the second surfaces according to a predetermined relationship. The data ports at the first surface are configured to be removably coupled to the control device. The data ports at the second surface are configured to be removably coupled to the at least one biometric sensor, and the data ports are configured to exchange biometric data between the data ports through the at least one signal pathway and according to the predetermined relationship. In this manner, the cost can be reduced as the bridge connectors may be reused as the biometric sensors are exchanged and discarded. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of receiving biometric data from a patient is disclosed. The method includes positioning at least one biometric sensor relative to a patient. The method also includes removably coupling data ports at a first surface of a flexible planar body of a bridge connector to device data ports on a control device. The method also includes removably coupling data ports at a second surface of the flexible planar body of the bridge connector to the at least one biometric sensor. The second surface is opposite the first surface, and the first and second surfaces are separated by a thickness of the flexible planar body. The method also includes generating, with the at least one biometric sensor, an output signal including biometric data measured by the at least one biometric sensor from the patient. The method also includes receiving the output signal at the device ports of the control device through at least one signal pathway of the flexible planar body, wherein the at least one signal pathway interconnects data ports at the first and the second surfaces according to a predetermined relationship. In this manner, in case the bridge connector or any of the at least one biometric sensor becomes inoperable, then either may be replaced without the needing to discard both the bridge connector and the at least one biometric sensor. 
         [0010]    A medical device for receiving biometric data from a patient is also disclosed. The medical device includes at least one biometric sensor for measuring biometric data of a patient and configured to generate at least one output signal including the biometric data. The medical device further includes a control device for receiving the output signal. The medical device further includes a bridge connector for coupling the control device to at least one biometric sensor. The control device includes a flexible planar body including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first and second surfaces are separated by a thickness of the flexible planar body. The flexible planar body including at least one signal pathway interconnecting data ports at the first and the second surfaces according to a predetermined relationship. The data ports at the first surface are configured to be removably coupled to the control device. The data ports at the second surface are configured to be removably coupled to the at least one biometric sensor, and at least one signal pathway is configured to exchange biometric data between the data ports according to the predetermined relationship. In this manner, biometric data can be more efficiently received from the patient as more expensive materials used in the biometric sensors can be practically avoided in the manufacture of the bridge connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example computing environment, according to one embodiment comprising an exemplary control device, bridge connector, and at least one biometric sensor in the context of a patient, according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is an anterior view of the patient with the control device, the bridge connector, and the at least one biometric sensor of  FIG. 1  positioned relative to the patient in various exemplary positions to measure biometric information from the patient, according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of a connective relationship of the patient, the biometric sensors, the bridge connector, and the control device of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A through 3C  are a top view, top perspective view, and top perspective exploded view, respectively, of the body sensor including the control device, the bridge connector, and at least one biometric sensor of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the control device of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic of the components of the control device of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the bridge connector of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of one of the biometric sensors of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of receiving biometric data from the patient of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A through 8C  are top views, respectively, of three different embodiments of a bridge connector consistent with the computing environment of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment described herein. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Control devices provide opportunities for a care provider (e.g., a physician, nurse, technician, etc.) to improve patient care. An event manager can utilize data provided by control devices or an “internet of things” (IoT) device to identify health events that range from identifying critical health care issues such as cardiac or respiratory emergencies to maintenance events where the control device fails, e.g., because a battery is low or a wire is disconnected. To process health related events, the control device may be physically supported by the patient, biometric sensors, and a bridge connector in a predefined position relative to the patient. In this predefined position the biometric sensors are in contact with, and secured to, the patient to form a foundation from which the bridge connector and the control device can be supported. Further, in this predefined position the biometric sensors can be coupled to the bridge connector to measure a health condition of the patient and generate an output signal. The output signal includes information regarding a health condition of the patient. The bridge connector includes signal pathways linking the control device to the biometric sensors, so that the control device may receive the output signal. The bridge connector also includes a flexible planar body with predetermined structural rigidity to conform to a shape of the patient and provide a relatively uniform contact between the biometric sensors and the patient, so that patient comfort is improved and biometric sensor life is maximized between sensor replacements. The bridge connector may be configured to be removably coupled to the biometric sensors to enable standard biometric sensors to be used and enable the bridge connector to be reused thereby reducing hardware expenses after biometric sensors are replaced. 
         [0024]    In this regard,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example computing environment  100 , according to one embodiment. As shown, the computing environment  100  may include a care provider environment  105  and a patient environment  130 , each connected to one another via a network  145 . The care provider environment  105  and the patient environment  130  allow a care provider  101  (e.g., a technician, nurse, physician, etc.) to monitor biometric data collected from the patient  103  in the patient environment  130 . 
         [0025]    The care provider environment  105  may include a workflow server  110 , a computing device  120 , monitoring system  117  and data repository  118 . Each of the workflow server  110 , the computing device  120 , and the monitoring system  117  may be a physical computing system that includes one or more computing devices  120  or a virtual computer instance (e.g., executing in a cloud computing platform). A care provider  101  may use the computing device  120  to access (e.g., via a browser application  122 , a native application on the computing devices  120 , etc.) a user interface (UI) hosted by the monitoring system  117 . 
         [0026]    The workflow server  110  includes applications and data executed to identify and handle health events corresponding to the patient  103 . As shown, workflow server  110  includes a communication module  113 , processing nodes  114 , and queues  115 . In one embodiment, the processing nodes  114  are software code or applications that perform a predetermined task or action on received data (e.g., health events). The workflow server  110  evaluates data received from the patient environment  130  using a set of interconnected processing nodes  114  and the queues  115  which form a workflow. As the biometric data or health events are received from the patient environment  130 , the workflow may classify (or reclassify) the data to identify a type of the health event—e.g., presentation or notification to patient/care provider, suppression, classification, aggregation, computation, prioritization/triage, and the like. For example, different types of data received from the patient environment  130  may trigger different types of health events—e.g., an irregular heartbeat may trigger a cardiac event, while a signal indicated a biometric sensor has become detached triggers a maintenance event. In one embodiment, at least one sensor device  140  within the patient environment  130  or a monitoring application  136  installed as part of a mobile device  135  within the patient environment  130  may have performed an initial classification of the data or health events. Nonetheless, the workflow server  110  may evaluate the biometric data (or maintenance data) to confirm that this initial classification was correct. 
         [0027]    The communication module  113  permits the workflow server  110  to receive the data from the patient environment  130  and transmit data to the care providers  101 . The communication module  113  may receive data from the at least one sensor device  140  which is used to identify a health event and a corresponding path through interconnected ones of the processing nodes  114  and the queues  115 . The communication module  113  helps the care providers  101  complete the workflow by use of the monitoring system  117  and the computing device  120 . Moreover, in addition to receiving the data from the patient environment  130 , the communication module  113  may enable the workflow server  110  to transmit requests or instructions to the patient environment  130  such as asking the patient  103  if he or she has any symptoms or instructing the patient  103  to reattach a disconnected biometric sensor  146 ( 1 ) ( FIG. 2B ) of the at least one sensor device  140 . 
         [0028]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the patient environment  130  includes the mobile device  135  and the at least one sensor device  140 . The mobile device  135  includes the monitoring application  136  which permits communication between the at least one sensor device  140  and the care provider environment  105  via the network  145 . The monitoring application  136  may configure the at least one sensor device  140  (e.g., IoT devices) to monitor biometric data of the patient  103  as specified by a care plan. For example, the monitoring application  136  could configure logic on a heart rate monitoring device worn by the patient to monitor the patient&#39;s heart rate. In turn, the monitoring application  136  can send the heart rate data to the workflow server  110  which determines if a health event is triggered, and if so, executes a workflow to process the event as described above. In another embodiment, the heart rate monitoring device, upon detecting that a threshold condition has been satisfied, could generate and transmit a health event to the mobile device  135 , which in turn transmits the health event to the workflow server  110  for processing. However, in other embodiments, some of the tasks performed by the workflow server  110  may be performed by the mobile device  135 . That is, the workflow may include tasks performed by the mobile device  135  or the at least one sensor device  140  as well as tasks performed by the workflow server  110 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the monitoring application  136  receives environmental data from the at least one sensor device  140 . Generally, the environmental data informs the monitoring application  136  of environmental conditions in an area proximate to the at least one sensor device  140  and the user—e.g., a room in which the user is located. For example, the at least one sensor device  140  may detect an air quality or pollen count for the patient  103  having a respiratory ailment. In another example, the at least one sensor device  140  may track the user&#39;s movements or actions in an environment such as how many times at night the patient  103  goes to the bathroom or if the patient  103  is tossing and turning at night. This environmental data can then be used by the monitoring application  136  by itself, or in combination with the biometric data, to trigger health events which are processed by the workflow server  110 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the monitoring application  136  may use an output device (e.g., a display or audio system) on the mobile device  135  to provide information to the patient  103 . For example, when executing a workflow, one of the processing nodes  114  may ask the patient  103  if she is experiencing any symptoms. To obtain feedback from the patient  103 , the monitoring application  136  may display a user interface (UI) on the mobile device  135  which permits the patient  103  to list symptoms. Moreover, the monitoring application  136  may also display general information related to a care plan or the at least one sensor device  140  such as the patient&#39;s heart rate or weight, status of the at least one sensor device  140 , etc. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the at least one sensor device  140  interacts with the monitoring application  136  and assists the patient  103  in reporting patient vitals and other information to the care provider environment  105 . As shown, the at least one sensor device  140  may include a body sensor  141 , a weighing scale  142 , and/or a blood pressure cuff  143 . Each of the at least one sensor device  140  may capture different vitals of the patient  103 . For example, when applied to a body of patient  103 , the body sensor  141  captures real-time biometric data (e.g., heart rate, ECG data, etc.). In addition, each of the at least one sensor device  140  may be configured to transmit body-related metrics electronically to the monitoring application  136  on the mobile device  135 . In turn, the monitoring application  136  sends the captured metrics to the workflow server  110  which can be used to trigger health events which are processed using the processing nodes  114  and the queues  115 . 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, upon detecting an observation threshold has been reached, the at least one sensor device  140  performs an initial classification of the health event. In a particular embodiment, the mobile device  135  is configured to perform the initial classification of the health event. For example, the body sensor  141 , upon detecting that electrocardiogram (ECG) data collected from the patient  103  indicates an erratic heart behavior, could classify the health event as a cardiac event. This initial classification of the health event, along with the relevant ECG data (e.g., ECG data including a predetermined length of time before and after the event), could be transmitted to the mobile device  135  (e.g., over a Bluetooth® communications link) and the monitoring application  136  subsequently forwards the ECG data and the health event data on to the workflow server  110  over the network  145  (e.g., the Internet). Alternatively, instead of classifying the data, the monitoring application  136  may forward the raw, unprocessed sensor data to the workflow server  110  which uses one of the processing nodes  114  to identify and classify health events which are then processed in the workflow server  110 . 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the body sensor  141  may collect, analyze, store, and/or transmit a signal indicating a health condition of the patient  103  to the mobile device  135  and/or the care provider environment  105  through the network  145 . The body sensor  141  includes a control device  150 , a bridge connector  144 , and at least one biometric sensor  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). The control device  150  communicates with the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) through the bridge connector  144 . The biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) contact the patient  103  and respectively generate at least one output signal S( 1 )-S(N) (see  FIG. 2B ) indicating a health condition of the patient  103 . The output signals S( 1 )-S(N) are received by the control device  150  by use of the bridge connector  144  which also physically supports the control device  150 . In this manner, the control device  150  receives the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). 
         [0034]      FIG. 2A  is an anterior view of the patient  103  with the body sensor  141  including the control device  150 , the bridge connector  144 , and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) of  FIG. 1  positioned relative to the patient  103  in various exemplary locations  200 ( 1 )- 200 ( 3 ) to measure biometric information from the patient  103 . The locations  200 ( 1 )- 200 ( 3 ) may be predetermined to locate the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) proximate to physical sources of biometric data to be measured and that are indicative of a health condition of the patient, e.g., the electrical activity of the heart of the patient  103  over time. In this manner, the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may generate the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicating a health condition of the patient  103  which when received by the control device  150  could be collected, analyzed, stored and/or transmitted to the mobile device  135  and/or network  145 . 
         [0035]    The bridge connector  144  physically supports and enables the control device  150  to receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) transmitted from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). In this regard,  FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of a connective relationship of the patient  103 , the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N), the bridge connector  144 , and the control device  150  of  FIG. 1 . The biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) are brought into contact with the patient  103  of  FIG. 2A . Specifically, an electrolytic portion  152 ( 1 )- 152 (N) respectively of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) contacts the patient  103  to efficiently detect the health condition of the patient. The electrolytic portion  152 ( 1 ) 152 (N) may be, for example, a hydrogel. The biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) also respectively include a bonding agent  154 ( 1 )- 154 (N), for example an adhesive or cohesive substance, to secure the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to the patient  103  while the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicating a health condition of the patient  103  are being generated by the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). When the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) need to be replaced, then biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may be pulled away from the patient  103  with an adequate pulling force applied to the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to overcome the strength of the bonding agent  154 ( 1 )- 154 (N). The biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) further include a conductive portion  156 ( 1 )- 156 (N) which may form a mechanical connector, for example a male snap fastener. The conductive portion  156 ( 1 )- 156 (N) may comprise a material (e.g. silver/silver chloride) which may efficiently form an electrical connection to the electrolytic portion  152 ( 1 )- 152 (N) for predictable and stable transfer of the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicative of the health condition of the patient  103 . In this manner, the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) are removably coupled to patient  103  and generate the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicative of the health of the patient  103 . In addition, the conductive portions  156 ( 1 )- 156 (N) serve as a foundation or physical support to hold the bridge connector  144  and the control device  150  stationary or substantially stationary to the patient  103 . 
         [0036]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2B , the bridge connector  144  forms a removable attachment with the conductive portion  156 ( 1 )- 156 (N) of the biometric sensor  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). The bridge connector  144  comprises a flexible planar body  158  including a first surface  160 A and a second surface  160 B opposite the first surface  160 A. The first surface  160 A and the second surface  160 B are separated by a thickness D1 of the flexible planar body  158 . The thickness D1 may be in a range from one-hundred microns to five (5) millimeters to avoid bulkiness which may be uncomfortable for the patient  103 . The data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) on the second surface  160 B of the bridge connector  144  include fasteners (discussed later) which may be removably coupled to the conductive portion of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). The removable coupling enables inoperable ones of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to be removed from the bridge connector  144  so that they may be replaced with operational ones when the bridge connector  144  is used again. In this manner, the bridge connector  144  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) form a robust foundation or physical support to hold the control device  150 . 
         [0037]    The bridge connector  144  conforms to a shape of the patient  103  to provide comfort and efficacy. In this regard, the bridge connector  144  includes an elastic modulus of elasticity in a range from a half a megapascal to eight (8) megapascals. This modulus of elasticity enables the bridge connector  144  to provide adequate flexibility to conform to a body of the patient  103  for comfort and to maintain contact between the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and the bridge connector  144  when the shape of the patient  103  is not flat in the portion where the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) contact. The bridge connector  144  provides adequate rigidity to support the control device  150  in stationary location relative to the patient  103  when the patient  103  dynamically moves. In this manner of constructing the bridge connector  144  with optimal rigidity, the bridge connector  144  provides comfort and efficacy. 
         [0038]    The bridge connector  144  also forms a pathway for the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) generated at the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to travel to the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first surface  160 A of the bridge connector  144 . In this regard, the flexible planar body  158  includes at least one signal pathway  162 ( 1 )- 162 (N) interconnecting data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first surface  160 A to the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) at the second surface  160 B according to a predetermined relationship. In this manner, the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) generated at the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may be received at the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) at the second surface  160 B from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and travel to the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first side  160 A of the bridge connector  144  to be made available to the control device  150 . In this manner, the bridge connector  144  may provide connectivity between the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and the control device  150 . 
         [0039]    The control device  150  forms a removable attachment with the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first surface  160 A of the flexible planar body  158  of the bridge connector  144 . The control device  150  includes device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) which form a removable attachment with the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) via a mechanical interference fit or mechanical friction. The data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) and the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) are also electrically conductive enabling the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) to be received by the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) of the control device  150  from the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N). In this manner, the control device  150  may receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and be supported by the bridge connector  144  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). 
         [0040]    Now that the body sensor  141  has been introduced, details of the various components are now discussed. In this regard,  FIG. 3A through 3C  are a top view, top perspective view, and top perspective exploded view, respectively, of the body sensor  141  including the control device  150 , the bridge connector  144 , and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) of  FIG. 1 . Each of these components are now discussed sequentially. 
         [0041]    As discussed briefly earlier, the control device  150  may collect, analyze, store, and/or transmit the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicating a health condition of the patient  103  to the mobile device  135  and/or the network  145  ( FIG. 1 ). The control device  150  is supported by the patient  103  through the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and the bridge connector  144 . The control device  150  is also able to receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) at the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) of the control device  150  via the signal pathways  162 ( 1 )- 162 (N) of the bridge connector  144 . In order to receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) and be physically supported by the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and the bridge connector  144 , the control device  150  includes the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N). The device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) may include plugs  168 ( 1 )- 168 (N) (e.g., female snap fasteners) to form the removable attachment with the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) of the bridge connector  144 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the control device  150  of  FIG. 1 . At the bottom of the control device  150 , the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) are depicted as including the plugs  168 ( 1 )- 168 (N)) to form the removable attachment with the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) of the bridge connector  144 . The quantity of the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) may be dependent upon the quantity of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). In this manner, the control device  150  may be configured to support various numbers of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). 
         [0043]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic diagram of the components of the control device  150  of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In general, the control device  150  can be a computing device that can be used with other wireless or wired electronic devices. In one example, the control device  150  is able to wirelessly communicate with a similarly configured mobile device  135  and/or the network  145  ( FIG. 1 ). During operation of the control device  150  when the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) generate the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicative of the health of the patient  103 , the control device  150  may receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) via the bridge connector  144 . The control device  150  may perform several operations using the output signals S( 1 )-S(N), including for example, data analysis, data storage, and data transmittal to the similarly configured mobile device  135  and/or the network  145 . In this manner, the control device  150  may communicate the health condition of the patient  103  to the care providers  101  and/ or the care provider environment  105 . 
         [0044]    An example of the control device  150  may include, but is not limited to a BodyGuardian® Remote Monitoring System available from Preventice Technologies, Inc. of Rochester, Minnesota or other similar device. The control device  150  may include a power source  404 , a memory unit  412 , the processor  408 , and input/output (I/O) devices  410 . These electrical components are now discussed sequentially. In this regard, the control device  150  may be battery-operated from the power source  404 , although the control device  150  may at one time or another receive power from a wired connection to a wall outlet, wireless charger or other similar devices without deviating from the basic scope of the disclosure provided herein. The power source  404  may supply power to the memory unit  412 , the processor  408 , and the I/O devices  410 . Further, the power source  404  may be able to provide voltages to the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) of opposite polarity (or one positive voltage and one reference voltage) through the bridge connector  144 . In other embodiments or other operational modes involving the power source  404 , the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may transmit the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) to the control device  150  in a passive manner, wherein the passive manner involves transmitting the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) to the control device  150  without the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) consuming power from the power source  404 . Specifically, the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may detect the tiny electrical changes on the skin of the patient  103  that arise from the heart muscle during each heartbeat. The output signals S( 1 )-S(N) may be in a range from 0.1 millivolts to 10 millivolts and result from these tiny electrical changes may comprise an electrocardiogram (ECG) trace over time to be amplified and filtered using energy from the power source  404 . Using these approaches, the power source  404  may be used to facilitate the operation of the control device  150  as the control device  150  is coupled to the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) via the bridge connector  144 . 
         [0045]    It is also contemplated that in some embodiments that at least a portion of the energy from the power source  404  may be used in combination with the bridge connector  144  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to detect respiration from the patient  103 . In this regard, a bioimpedance signal may be generated using energy from the power source  404  and may travel sequentially from the control device  150 , to the signal pathways  162 ( 1 ),  162 (N) of the bridge connector  144 , to the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N), and then to the skin of the patient  103 . The bioimpedance signal may be, for example, approximately one-hundred microamperes with about a fifty kilohertz frequency. The bridge connector  144  and the power source  404  may be configured to support this approach to detect respiration in combination or apart from measuring the ECG trace. 
         [0046]    Next, the memory unit  412  of the control device  150  contains data and instructions to facilitate the operation of the control device  150 . In this regard, the memory unit  412  may be in communication with the processor  408  and include one or more software applications  414  that, when executed by the processor  408  may facilitate the operation of the control device  150 . The memory unit  412  may also include storage capacity for stored health condition data  416  which may be sent to the memory unit  412  by the processor  408  and retrieved as needed by the processor  408  for analysis or transmittal to the mobile device  135  and/or the network  145  ( FIG. 1 ). The stored health condition data  416  may include any type of information that relates to the health condition of the patient (i.e, electrocardiogram data over time), patient user data, electronic device configuration data, device control rules or other useful information, which are discussed further below. The stored health condition data  416  may include information that is delivered to and/or received from another sensor device  140  ( FIG. 1 ). The stored health condition data  416  may reflect various data files, settings and/or parameters associated with the environment, device control rules and/or desired behavior of the control device  150 . The memory unit  412  may comprise a computer-readable medium and may comprise volatile or non-volatile memory units, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) units. The memory unit  412  may be any technically feasible type of hardware unit configured to store data. For example, the memory unit  412  could be a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) module, a flash memory unit, or a combination of different hardware units configured to store data. In this manner, the memory unit  412  contains data and instructions needed for the operation of the control device  150 . 
         [0047]    The processor  408  of the control device  150  coordinates the activities of the memory unit  412 , and I/O devices  410 . The processor  408  may be a hardware unit or combination of hardware units capable of executing software applications and processing data. In some configurations, the processor  408  includes a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a combination of such units. The processor  408  is generally configured to execute the one or more software applications  414  and process the stored health condition data  416 , which may be each included within the memory unit  412  or in other embodiments at least partially resident in the processor  408  In this manner, the processor  408  facilitates the operation of the control device  150 . 
         [0048]    The I/O devices  410  of the control device  150  are coupled to the memory unit  412  and the processor  408 , and may include devices capable of receiving input and/or devices capable of providing output. The I/O devices  410  may include a signal processing device  400  and one or more wireless transceivers  420 . The signal processing device  400  includes device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) to communicate with the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) generated by the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). The signal processing device  400  may amplify and/or filter the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to generate a processed signal  406  which is made available to the processor  408  which may perform further operations, for example, further data modification, analysis, storage, or transmittal. To support the operations of the signal processing device  400 , the signal processing device  400  may receive electrical power  402  from the power source  404 . In this manner, the control device  150  may receive the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) generated by the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and make the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) available for further analysis, storage, or transmission. 
         [0049]    Moreover, the I/O devices  410  may include the wireless transceivers  420 . Each of the wireless transceivers  420  may be configured to establish one or more different types of wired or wireless communication links with other transceivers residing within other computing devices, such as the mobile device  135  ( FIG. 1 ) or other devices in the network  145  ( FIG. 1 ). A given transceiver within the I/O devices  410  could establish, for example, a Wi-Fi communication link, near field communication (NFC) link or a Bluetooth® communication link (e.g., BTLE, Bluetooth classic). In this manner, the I/O devices  410  of the control device  150  may make the health condition of the patient  103  available to the care providers  101  and/or the care provider environment  105 . 
         [0050]    With reference back to  FIG. 3C , the bridge connector  144  may include outer structural members  304 A,  304 B sandwiching a flex circuit  306  and multiple bonding layers  308 A,  308 B (e.g., an adhesive or epoxy). The outer structural members  304 A,  304 B may be respectively combined with the bonding layers  308 A,  308 B in an adhesive-backed structure (e.g., 3M™ Thin Tan Polyethylene Foam Tape 1774T available from 3M of St. Paul, Minn.) or as separate components to be brought together during fabrication of the bridge connector  144 . The flex circuit  306  includes a substrate  308  supporting the signal pathways  162 ( 1 ),  162 (N). The signal pathways  162 ( 1 ),  162 (N) may comprise a conductive material configured to efficiently transmit the output signals S( 1 )-S(N), for example, copper. The signal pathways  162 ( 1 )- 162 (N) connect and form the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) and the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) accessible through the substrate  308 . Together the outer structural members  304 A,  304 B, the flex circuit  306  and the bonding layers  308 A,  308 B form the flexible planar body  158 . The flexible planar body  158  has the modulus of elasticity mentioned earlier to provide the structural support for the control device  150  while providing comfort for the patient  103  during use by deforming to the contour of the patient  103 . 
         [0051]    The bridge connector  144  includes fasteners to provide the removable attachments with the control device  150  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and also transmit the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) including the health condition from the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). Specifically, in one non-limiting embodiment shown in the  FIG. 3C , the bridge connector  144  may include mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N) (e.g., male socket fasteners). The mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N) extend as part of the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) to removably couple with the plugs  168 ( 1 )- 168 (N) (e.g., female socket fasteners) of the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) of the control device  150 . The bridge connector  144  may also include respective complementary mechanical fasteners  310 ( 1 )- 310 (N) (e.g., eyelets) supporting the mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N). Collectively, the mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N) and the complementary mechanical fasteners  310 ( 1 )- 310 (N) may sandwich the structural member  304 A and the flex circuit  306  to provide a secure anchoring for the mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N) as part of the bridge connector  144 . Similarly, the bridge connector  144  may include second mechanical fasteners  314 ( 1 ),  314 (N) (e.g., female sockets). The second mechanical fasteners  314 ( 1 ),  314 (N) extend as part of the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) to removably couple with the conductive portions  156 ( 1 ),  156 (N) of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). In this manner, the bridge connector  144  may be removably attached to the control device  150  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) and transmit output signals S( 1 )-S(N) therebetween. 
         [0052]    It is noted that in one non-limiting embodiment, the second mechanical fasteners  314 ( 1 ),  314 (N) may be disposed between the structural member  304 B and the flex circuit  306 . This arrangement enables the conductive portions  156 ( 1 ),  156 (N) to be received within the bridge connector  144  and thereby minimizes the distance between the bridge connector  144  and the patient  103 . The close proximity of the bridge connector  144  to the patient  103  facilitates a greater level of stability for the control device  150  which is secured to the patient  103  via the bridge connector  144  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). 
         [0053]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the bridge connector  144  of  FIG. 1 . The bridge connector  144  is depicted with the mechanical fasteners  302 ( 1 )- 302 (N) at the first surface  160 A of the flexible planar body  158  and the second mechanical fasteners  314 ( 1 )- 314 (N) at the second surface  160 B of the flexible planar body  158 . The bridge connector  144  may have a length L in a range from three (3) inches to eight (8) inches and a width W in a second range from one (1) inch to three (3) inches. In this manner, electrical connections for exchange of the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) can be accomplished with the control device  150  and the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N). 
         [0054]    With reference back to  FIG. 3C , the body sensor  141  includes the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) removably coupled to the bridge connector  144 . The biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) are configured to generate the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) indicating a health condition of the patient  103  when electrically connected to the control device  150  and in contact with the patient  103  at one of the predetermined locations  200 ( 1 )- 200 ( 3 ) ( FIG. 1 ). Each of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N), for example, may be a Kendall™ Electrode  530  Foam available from Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the biometric sensor  146 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 1 . The biometric sensor  146 ( 1 ) depicted includes the conductive portion  156 ( 1 ) to removably couple to the second mechanical fastener  314 ( 1 ) (see  FIG. 3C ). The biometric sensor  146 ( 1 ) depicted in  FIG. 6B  also depicts the electrolytic portion  152 ( 1 ) to contact the patient  103  and the removable bonding agent  154 ( 1 ) to form the removable attachment with the patient  103 . 
         [0055]    Now that the body sensor  141  has been discussed,  FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an exemplary method  700  of receiving biometric data from the patient  103  of  FIG. 1 . The method  700  is discussed using the terminology discussed above with reference to operations  702 A- 702 F of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0056]    In this regard, the method  700  includes removably coupling the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) at the second surface  160 B of the flexible planar body  158  of the bridge connector  144  to the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) (operation  702 A of  FIG. 7 ). The method  700  also includes removably coupling the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first surface  160 A of the flexible planar body  158  of the bridge connector  144  to the device ports  166 ( 1 )- 166 (N) of the control device  150 , wherein the second surface  160 B is opposite the first surface  160 A, and the first surface  160 A and the second surface  160 B are separated by the thickness D1 of the flexible planar body  158  (operation  702 B of  FIG. 7 ) The method  700  may also include deforming the flexible planar body  158  to conform with a shape of the patient  103 , wherein the flexible planar body  158  as a modulus of elasticity in a range from a half megapascal to eight (8) megapascals (operation  702 C of  FIG. 7 ). The method  700  also includes positioning the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) relative to the patient  103 , wherein the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may be secured to the patient  103  , (operation  702 D of  FIG. 7 ). The method  700  also includes generating, with the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N), the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) including biometric data measured by the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) from the patient  103  (operation  702 E of  FIG. 7 ). The method  700  also includes receiving the output signals S( 1 )-S(N) at the device ports  166 ( 1 ), 166 (N) of the control device  150  through the at least one signal pathway  162 ( 1 ),  162 (N) of the flexible planar body  158 , wherein the at least one signal pathway  162 ( 1 ),  162 (N) interconnects the data ports  164 A( 1 )- 164 A(N) at the first surface  160 A and the data ports  164 B( 1 )- 164 B(N) at the second surface  160 B according to a predetermined relationship (operation  702 F of  FIG. 7 ). In this manner, the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) may be replaced when needed in the body sensor  141  with low cost. 
         [0057]    Other embodiments of the bridge connector  144  are possible.  FIGS. 8A through 8C  are top views, respectively, of three different embodiments of a bridge connector consistent with the computing environment  100  of  FIG. 1 , designated bridge connector  144 ′, bridge connector  144 ″, and bridge connector  144 ′″. The bridge connector  144 ′ facilitates the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 ),  146 ( 2 ), and  146 (N) to be respectively connected by the signal pathways  162 ( 1 ),  162 ( 2 ), and  162 (N) to the data ports  164 A( 1 ),  164 A( 2 ), and  164 A(N). In his manner, the bridge connector  144 ′ may support more than two biometric sensors with mechanical and/ or electrical functionality. The bridge connector  144 ″ facilitates the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 ),  146 (N) to be removably coupled to the electrode bridge connector  144 ″ in an asymmetric arrangement. The bridge connector  144 ″ facilitates at least four ( 4 ) of the biometric sensors  146 ( 1 )- 146 (N) to be removably coupled to the electrode bridge connector  144 ′″. In this manner, the shape and arrangement of the bridge connector  144  may be changed to provide connectivity and support to the control device  150 . 
         [0058]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.