Energy efficient system and method for physiological monitoring
Inventors
Olivier, Laurence Richard • du Preez, Franco Bauer • Hare, Shannagh Jane
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11006899-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A physiological monitoring system and method for the determination of at least one physiological parameter using a first low energy physiological sensor to produce a first physiological sensor signal and a high energy physiological sensor to produce a second physiological sensor signal. A motion sensor produces a motion reference signal that a mode selector switch uses to select either the first low energy physiological sensor or the second high energy physiological sensor. Alternatively, a motion related embedded component in the second physiological sensor signal is used by the mode selector switch to select in the first low energy sensor or the second high energy sensor.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a physiological monitoring system for determining a physiological parameter of a human subject that engages in a first low level of activity and a second high level of activity. The system comprises a low energy sensor for transcutaneous sampling to produce a first physiological sensor signal and a high energy sensor for transcutaneous sampling to produce a second physiological sensor signal. A motion sensor samples a motion parameter to produce a motion reference signal.
A microprocessor activates sampling activity of the high energy sensor and the low energy sensor via a switch mechanism. Based on the motion reference signal, the switch mechanism selects the low energy sensor during a period of the first low level of activity and selects the high energy sensor during a period of the second high level of activity. To address stable activation transition, the microprocessor selects both sensors for short periods of time during transitions across low and high activity level thresholds.
In one described implementation, the second physiological sensor signal includes an embedded motion related component that is used for selection via the switch mechanism. The system also provides motion compensation for the high energy sensor signal, in which a microprocessor uses a motion related component and a high energy algorithm to remove motion related components from the second physiological sensor signal to generate a motion-corrected second physiological sensor signal.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a physiological monitoring system and a method, plus an additional system claim, that select between low energy and high energy transcutaneous sensing based on motion information while ensuring stable activation transitions across low and high activity thresholds. Across the independent claims, the inventive subject matter includes motion-driven sensor switching, short-period co-selection for transition stability, and motion-related-component handling including motion-corrected signals derived by subtraction in time and/or frequency domain.
Motion-driven selection of low vs high energy sensing
A microprocessor activates sampling activity of the high energy sensor and the low energy sensor via a switch mechanism, wherein the switch mechanism, based on the motion reference signal, selects the low energy sensor during a period of the first low level of activity and selects the high energy sensor during a period of the second high level of activity.
Stable activation transition via short-period co-selection
The microprocessor selects both the high energy sensor and the low energy sensor for short periods of time to ensure stable activation transition during transitions between activation of the low energy sensor and activation of the high energy sensor.
Embedded motion related component for switching
The switch mechanism, based on motion related component, selects the low energy sensor during a period of the first low level of activity and selects the high energy sensor during a period of the second high level of activity.
Motion-corrected second physiological sensor signal using subtraction
The microprocessor removes motion-related components from a second physiological sensor signal to generate a motion-corrected second physiological sensor signal.
Mode selection between low energy sensing state and high energy sensing state
The method selectively switches between a first mode and a second mode to ensure stable activation transition, wherein the first mode comprises a low energy sensing state and the second mode comprises a high energy sensing state, and wherein the method selects both the high energy sensor and the low energy sensor for short period of time during a transition between the first mode and the second mode.
Short-lived motion detection not missed during sensor transition overlap
The microprocessor selects both the second physiological high energy sensor signal and the first physiological low energy sensor signal for short periods of time to ensure detected levels of motion or lack of motion are not short lived during a transition between sampling of the first physiological low energy sensor signal and sampling of the second physiological high energy sensor signal, and vice versa.
Together, the independent claims define physiological monitoring by transcutaneous sampling with low energy and high energy sensors, where a microprocessor uses motion reference signals and/or embedded motion related components to switch sensors according to low versus high activity levels, and ensures stable transitions by selecting both sensors for short periods. The claims further encompass motion-corrected high energy sensor signals obtained by removing motion related components to generate motion-corrected signals, including motion-related-component subtraction processing in time and/or frequency domain.
Stated Advantages
Ensures stable activation transition during transitions induced by changes in the human subject from a low activity level threshold to a high activity level threshold and from a high activity level threshold to a low activity level threshold.
Ensures detected levels of motion or lack of motion are not short lived during sensor transitions.
Generates a motion-corrected second physiological sensor signal by removing motion-related components.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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