Hydration assessment system
Inventors
Robinson, Mark Ries • Allen, Elena A • Derby, Cole • NAKAZAWA, Akifusa • Liao, Haiping • Makay, Michael Chad
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11471102-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems that provide for reliable, convenient, and noninvasive assessment of hydration status. The methods and apparatuses can use the temporal sequence of the aortic value opening and closing along with the user's body position to derive parameters that determine the hydration status of the user. The user can use this information to make near-term lifestyle changes that can improve physical performance, health, and general wellbeing.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a wearable, noninvasive finger ring apparatus for determining a user’s hydration status. The ring has an internal surface with an effective internal diameter and is configured to be worn around a finger. The apparatus uses an optical sensor system with optical emitters and detectors mounted with the ring to detect physiological signals indicative of opening and closing of the user’s aortic valve.
The optical sensing is used to determine a time sequence of the aortic valve by identifying an interbeat time interval between successive openings and an ejection time interval between opening and closing. A hydration determination system determines the hydration status from the interbeat time interval and the ejection time interval. The approach links the measured aortic valve opening and closure timing to hydration-related physiology described in the document using pressure-volume loop concepts.
The apparatus includes a trigger system to initiate a hydration measurement and an optical sampling control system responsive to the trigger system to operate the emitters and detectors at a first set of operational parameters. The system further includes an analysis system configured to produce the interbeat time interval and the ejection time interval from the detector signal. A feedback system provides feedback to the user, and additional refinements are described for adapting sampling and accounting for measurement state.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim recites 7 main inventive components: a finger-worn ring with an effective internal diameter; an optical sensor system for detecting aortic valve opening and closing; a trigger system; optical sampling control with a first set of operational parameters; an analysis system producing interbeat and ejection intervals; a hydration determination system using those intervals; and a feedback system.
Hydration status apparatus with finger-worn ring
The apparatus includes a ring with an internal surface having an effective internal diameter, configured to be worn around a finger of the user.
Optical sensing of aortic valve opening and closing using ring-mounted emitters and detectors
The apparatus includes an optical sensor system with one or more optical emitters and one or more detectors mounted with the ring such that the emitters direct light toward the finger and the detectors produce a detector signal representative of light reaching the detectors after interaction with finger tissue, configured to detect physiological signals indicative of opening and closing of the user’s aortic valve.
Trigger-initiated hydration measurement initiation
The apparatus includes a trigger system configured to detect an event indicating a hydration measurement is to be initiated.
Trigger-responsive optical sampling at first operational parameters
The apparatus includes an optical sampling control system responsive to the trigger system configured to operate the one or more emitters and the one or more detectors at a first set of operational parameters.
Aortic valve timing analysis producing interbeat and ejection intervals
The apparatus includes an analysis system responsive to the detector signal configured to determine an interbeat time interval between successive openings of the user’s aortic valve and an ejection time interval between opening and closing of the user’s aortic valve.
Hydration determination from interbeat interval and ejection interval
The apparatus includes a hydration determination system configured to determine the hydration status of the user from the interbeat time interval and the ejection time interval.
Feedback to the user
The apparatus includes a feedback system configured to provide feedback.
Across the provided material, claim coverage centers on using ring-mounted optical emitters and detectors to detect aortic valve opening and closing, deriving interbeat and ejection intervals, and determining hydration status from those intervals, with measurement initiation by a trigger, sampling controlled at operational parameters, and user feedback.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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