Physiological monitoring devices with adjustable stability
Inventors
Just, Steven Matthew • LeBoeuf, Steven Francis • Tucker, Jesse Berkley • Aumer, Michael Edward • Felice, Mark Andrew
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11883201-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject includes a physiological sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject, an activity sensor configured to sense physical activity information from the subject, an actuator configured to adjust stability of the monitoring device relative to the body of the subject, and a processor in communication with the activity sensor and the actuator. The processor is configured to process the physical activity information to detect a change in the physical activity of the subject and to control the at least one actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to the body of the subject in response to detecting that a change in the physical activity of the subject has occurred.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to wearable physiological monitoring devices that actively adjust their stability relative to a body of a subject using an actuator controlled by a processor. At least one physiological sensor detects and/or measures physiological information, and at least one activity sensor senses physical activity information. The processor processes the physical activity information to detect a change in physical activity and controls the actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to the body in response to detecting that the change has occurred.
The described approach uses physical-activity change detection to drive stability adjustments of the monitoring device attachment, including embodiments where stability adjustment is configured as adjusting tension. The processor is connected in communication with the activity sensor and the actuator, so that activity changes sensed from the subject lead to actuator control events that modify the monitoring device’s stability relative to the subject’s body.
In embodiments of the monitoring device, physical activity change detection can be based on changes in subject vital signs detected by the physiological sensor, including heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, and/or perspiration rate. In addition, the physical activity change can be detected by identifying and/or predicting a type of activity. The actuator can be implemented using different actuator mechanisms and materials configured to adjust the stability of the monitoring device.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims covering three inventive features.
Monitoring device controlled by physical activity change to adjust stability
A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject, comprising at least one physiological sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information; at least one activity sensor configured to sense physical activity information; at least one actuator configured to adjust stability of the monitoring device relative to the body; and at least one processor in communication with the at least one activity sensor and the at least one actuator, wherein the processor processes the physical activity information to detect a change in a physical activity of the subject and controls the at least one actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to the body in response to detecting that the change has occurred.
Method of monitoring using activity change detection to adjust stability
A method of monitoring a subject via a monitoring device that includes at least one physiological sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information; at least one activity sensor configured to sense physical activity information; at least one actuator configured to adjust stability of the monitoring device relative to a body of the subject; and at least one processor in communication with the at least one activity sensor and the at least one actuator, the method comprising detecting and/or measuring physiological information; detecting a change in physical activity by processing physical activity information sensed by the activity sensor; and controlling the actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to the body of the subject in response to detecting the change in physical activity.
Method collecting physiological and activity data to adjust stability
A method of monitoring a subject via a monitoring device that comprises an actuator configured to adjust stability, comprising collecting physiological data from a physiological sensor worn by the subject; collecting physical activity data from an activity sensor worn by the subject; processing the collected physical activity data and the physiological data to detect a change in a physical activity of the subject; and controlling the actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to a body of the subject in response to detecting a change in the physical activity.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on detecting a change in physical activity using activity sensing and controlling an actuator to adjust the monitoring device’s stability relative to the subject’s body in response to that detected activity change.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?