Physiological monitoring devices having sensing elements decoupled from body motion
Inventors
Just, Steven Matthew • Tucker, Jesse Berkley • Splinter, Robert • LeBoeuf, Steven Francis
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11684278-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a wearable monitoring device configured to be attached to an ear of a subject. The device includes a housing having a first mass and a sensing element movably secured to the housing via a biasing element. The sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass, and the biasing element urges the sensing element into contact with a portion of the ear.
The biasing element has opposite first and second end portions, with the housing attached to the biasing element first end portion and the sensing element attached to the biasing element second end portion. The biasing element is configured to decouple motion of the biasing element first end portion from the sensing element, thereby reducing motion artifacts associated with ear attachment movement. A motion sensor is included to detect motion of the biasing element and/or sensing element.
In particular embodiments, the sensing element includes at least one energy emitter and at least one detector configured to direct and detect energy response signals from a target region of the ear or an adjacent region. The document describes energy modalities including electromagnetic radiation, mechanical energy, acoustical energy, electrical energy, and thermal energy. Variations include contoured sensing surfaces with windows/openings, optional signal processing, optional motion sensing as a noise reference, and energy emitters and detectors coupled through elongated light guides.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims present a wearable ear-attached monitoring device with a motion-decoupling biasing element, a mass relationship between the housing and the sensing element, and a motion sensor for detecting motion. The claims cover inventive features related to decoupling motion and biasing a sensing element into contact with the ear portion, and they further refine sensing using energy emitters/detectors directed at an ear target region (with an adjacent region alternative) as described in dependent claims.
Motion-decoupling biasing element for ear-contact sensing
A housing configured to be attached to an ear, with a sensing element movably secured to the housing via a biasing element that urges the sensing element into contact with a portion of the ear, the biasing element having opposite first and second end portions and being configured to decouple motion of the biasing element first end portion from the sensing element.
Relative mass constraint between housing and sensing element
The sensing element has a second mass that is less than the housing first mass, and in one refinement the first mass is at least about 1.25 times greater than the second mass.
Motion sensing of the biasing element and/or sensing element
A motion sensor configured to detect motion of the biasing element and/or sensing element.
Energy emitter and detector targeted to an ear target region
The sensing element includes at least one energy emitter aimed at an ear target region and at least one detector that detects an energy response signal from the target region or an adjacent region.
Energy modality configuration for emit and detect
The sensing element directs electromagnetic, mechanical, acoustical, electrical, and/or thermal energy to a target region and includes detectors configured to detect the same types of energy.
Signal processing of detector signals
The sensing element includes a signal processor that receives and processes signals generated by the at least one detector.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a wearable ear-attached monitoring device that uses an elastomeric biasing element with opposite end portions to decouple motion between the housing and a lower-mass sensing element, urges the sensing element into ear contact, and includes a motion sensor for motion detection. Additional claim refinements cover energy emitter/detector sensing targeted to an ear target region (or adjacent region), allowed energy modalities, and optional signal processing of detector outputs.
Stated Advantages
Decouples motion of the housing attachment from the sensing element to reduce motion artifacts.
Documented Applications
Wearable physiological monitoring using an ear-attached monitoring device that detects energy response signals from an ear target region or an adjacent region and uses motion sensing to detect motion of the biasing element and/or sensing element.
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