Wearable device with multimodal diagnostics

Inventors

Honore, Francis • Gupta, Samit Kumar • Kuraguntla, David John • Reich, James • Flannery, Jr., Anthony • Mihaylov, Jivko

Assignees

Alio Inc

Abstract

A system, device and method for automatically and remotely acquiring sensor data from a wearable patch mounted on a patient. An example device implemented as a wearable patch includes a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect a corresponding plurality of sensory modalities and generate electrical signals representing the sensory modalities. A signal converter receives the electrical signals from the plurality of sensors and converts the signals to sensor data signals comprising a data representation of at least one of the electrical signals. A communications interface communicates the sensor data signals to a sensor data processing system.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a wearable patch for automatically assessing blood flow through an arteriovenous (AV) fistula using sensing information relating to subcutaneous processes in a patient. The patch includes a patch substrate configured to attach to a body part of the patient, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor assembly mounted on the patch substrate, and a communications interface configured to communicate sensor data signals to a sensor data processing system. The PPG sensor assembly is configured to non-invasively detect a plurality of sensory modalities and generate electrical signals representing the plurality of sensory modalities.

The patch further includes a signal converter configured to receive the electrical signals from the PPG sensor assembly and to convert the electrical signals to sensor data signals comprising a data representation of at least one of the electrical signals. The wearable patch is mounted to skin overlaying the AV fistula, and the sensor data signals are communicated to the sensor data processing system as part of the assessment of blood flow through the AV fistula.

In the disclosed AV-fistula assessment, the PPG sensor assembly includes an accelerometer, and data from the accelerometer is used to determine a ballistic cardiographic measurement at the location of the AV fistula. In another disclosed assessment, the at least one PPG sensor from the PPG sensor assembly is used to non-invasively determine hematocrit, and the hematocrit is used to manage the fluid status of the patient.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes two independent claims. Each independent claim is grounded in a wearable patch architecture with a PPG sensor assembly and signal converter, mounted over an AV fistula, and each independent claim uses the sensed data for a different blood-flow or patient-status outcome.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on wearable-patch assessment of an AV fistula by using a non-invasive PPG sensor assembly that generates electrical signals, converting those signals to sensor data signals, communicating the sensor data to a processing system, and then using specific outputs to support blood-flow assessment or fluid status management.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications