Modular physiologic monitoring systems, kits, and methods
Inventors
Toth, Landy • Schwartz, Robert • Pulling, Chris • Martin, Roy
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10285617-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-14
Expiration Date
2034-06-06
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Abstract
Systems, devices, methods, and kits for monitoring one or more physiologic and/or physical signals from a subject are disclosed. A system including patches and corresponding modules for wirelessly monitoring physiologic and/or physical signals is disclosed. A service system for managing the collection of physiologic data from a customer is disclosed. An isolating patch for providing a barrier between a handheld monitoring device with a plurality of contact pads and a subject is disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention provides modular systems, devices, methods, and kits for monitoring one or more physiologic and/or physical signals from a subject, where a system includes patches for attachment to the subject and corresponding modules that mate with the patches. These modules interface with the subject through the patch, acquiring data such as physiologic and/or physical signals, and can convey or store this information. The system also optionally interfaces with a host device via wireless communication, which can receive signals or metrics from the modules and may provide recharging or diagnostic functions.
The patch interface is realized as a flexible and stretchable substrate with an adhesive formulated for attachment to skin, and includes one or more sensors and/or electrodes arranged to interface with the subject. The patch may incorporate stretchable electrically conducting traces, interconnects for module attachment, and may be configured for comfortable long-term wearability, breathability, and operation under stretch. The modular design allows for patches to be disposable, while modules can be reusable, supporting features like hot swapping and redundancy.
The problem addressed is the need for reliable, simple, and cable-free physiologic parameter measurement systems, especially as mobile and remote medicine expands. Existing monitoring solutions are often cumbersome, prone to false alarms, unreliable, and uncomfortable for long-term use, resulting in poor patient compliance. The disclosed system aims to overcome limitations such as discomfort, maintenance complexity, interference susceptibility, and lack of user friendliness by providing easily wearable, reliable, and user-friendly physiologic monitoring solutions.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains three independent claims, each covering a distinct inventive feature related to patch interfaces, modules, and modular monitoring devices.
Stretchable patch interface with embedded sensors and electrically conducting ink traces
A patch interface comprising: - A substrate made from flexible and stretchable material with first and second surfaces. - An adhesive coupled to the substrate, formulated for skin attachment. - One or more patch interconnects embedded in the substrate for attachment to a module containing microcircuits. - At least one of: one or more sensors embedded in the substrate or one or more electrodes attached to the substrate. - Sensors and electrodes configured to interface with the subject when the patch is attached. - One or more stretchable electrically conducting traces made of conducting ink printed between the substrate and adhesive, arranged to couple sensors/electrodes with patch interconnects. The interface is configured to monitor physiologic, physical, and electrophysiological signals and to provide an electrically conducting interface to the module.
Module for monitoring signals through patch interface with specific interconnection
A module including: - A housing. - A circuit board containing one or more microcircuits. - One or more module interconnects, coupled to the microcircuits, for placement and coupling onto a patch interface as described above. The module is configured to monitor physiologic, physical, and electrophysiological signals from the subject via the patch interface, with the patch interconnects providing an electrically conducting interface between the patch and module microcircuits.
Device comprising patch interface and module with operable interconnection for signal monitoring
A device comprising: - A patch interface. - A module having a housing, circuit board with microcircuits, and one or more module interconnects. The module interconnects are sized and dimensioned to interface with patch interconnects in the patch interface, wherein the patch is first coupled to the subject to form an operable interconnection. The device is configured to monitor physiologic, physical, and electrophysiological signals, with stretchable electrically conducting traces arranged to couple at least one of the sensors/electrodes with patch interconnects, and the interconnects providing an electrically conducting interface between patch and module.
In summary, the claims protect the modular patch and module system, specifying features such as flexible/stretchable substrates, conductive ink traces, integrated sensors/electrodes, specific patch-to-module interconnections, and the overall device configuration enabling reliable physiologic and physical signal monitoring from a subject.
Stated Advantages
Enables reliable, simple, and unobtrusive measurement of physiologic parameters without cables.
Facilitates comfortable, long-term wearable monitoring for subjects with high compliance due to user-friendly and unobtrusive interfaces.
Reduces false alarms, user interface failures, movement artifacts, and electromagnetic interference-related issues.
Provides a modular, redundant, and user-friendly system allowing valuable data collection with limited supervision or expert input.
Supports disposable patches for improved hygiene and reusability of modules, balancing cost and minimizing contamination or disease spread.
Documented Applications
Electrocardiography including single or multi-lead EKG monitoring.
Sleep assessment, including detection of sleep apnea, bruxism, snoring, rapid eye movement, and waking events.
Traumatic brain injury and impact assessment through EEG and kinetic/kinematic measurements.
Biofeedback, stress management, and relaxation monitoring.
Physiotherapy and monitoring muscle movement, exertion, and gait analysis.
Cardiovascular monitoring including blood pressure measurement and heart rate variability.
Assessment of hydration state, thermal state, and core temperature.
Monitoring during surgical recovery, including tissue hydration and health assessment after operations.
Remote patient monitoring for cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and other chronic conditions.
Use as an input tool for entertainment, gaming, training, and virtual feedback—such as controlling software or collaborative music through muscle signal input.
Veterinary and animal physiologic monitoring.
Hospital-based patient monitoring and home care monitoring with integration into patient management systems.
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