System and method for a wearable biological field sensing device using ferromagnetic resonance
Inventors
Deka, Nishita • Labanowski, Dominic
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11903715-B1
Publication Date
2024-02-20
Expiration Date
2041-01-28
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Abstract
A system and method for a wearable field sensing device for biological electromagnetic (EM) field measurement including: a wearable structure; a biological sensor array, on or within the wearable structure, such that each biological sensor is situated adjacent to the body of the user, and wherein each biological sensor includes at least one ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) sensor; a power system, providing the power for the system; and control circuitry, electrically coupled to the system. The FMR sensor comprises an acoustically driven ferromagnetic resonance (ADFMR) sensor. The system may additionally include sensor shielding and an ambient sensor array to detect a block external fields.
Core Innovation
This invention provides a system and method for a wearable field sensing device designed for biological electromagnetic (EM) field measurement. The system integrates a biological sensor array comprising acoustically driven ferromagnetic resonance (ADFMR) sensors situated adjacent to the user's body within a wearable structure. The ADFMR sensors leverage acoustically driven ferromagnetic resonance to sensitively measure EM fields in biological tissues, operating effectively at room temperatures without complex cooling or shielding systems. The wearable form factors include helmets, bands, patches, and other conformal devices tailored to different body regions for flexible deployment.
The problem solved by this invention addresses the limitations of current magnetic sensors used in biological EM field monitoring, such as SERF and SQUID sensors. These existing sensors require large, complex, and costly setups with strict temperature and shielding requirements that make them stationary, bulky, and incompatibly sized for diverse users. Conversely, smaller sensors like Hall effect sensors lack sufficient sensitivity. The invention overcomes these challenges by providing a portable, scalable, energy-efficient, and user-adaptive wearable system harnessing ADFMR technology that offers high sensitivity, dense sensor arrays, reduced power consumption, and adaptability for real-time, high-resolution biometric monitoring.
The system also includes sensor shielding techniques, ambient sensor arrays for external noise measurement, and control circuitry enabling diverse operating modes such as low power operation, noise reduction, and localization of EM field sources. The modular and deformable wearable structures ensure precise sensor placement, accommodating user-specific contours and various measurement regions. The ADFMR sensors can be fabricated at wafer scale for low-cost, high volume production, supporting applications like brain activity monitoring, heart monitoring, muscle contractions, and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The design supports integration with other biosensors and smart devices for enhanced biometric profiling and interactive functionality.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims presenting systems for wearable biological EM field sensing devices incorporating ADFMR sensor units and related components.
Wearable structure with a portable cap and integrated sensor arrays
A wearable portable cap fitted to a user's head incorporating a biological sensor array comprising at least 100 ADFMR sensor units configured as ASIC packages with excitation and signal processing circuitry. The system further includes an ambient sensor array of ADFMR sensor units, sensor shielding via field coils on the cap, a battery power system, and control circuitry supporting low power and noise reduction modes.
General wearable field sensing system with biological sensor array
A wearable structure comprising a biological sensor array of ADFMR sensor units designed as ASIC packages including excitation circuitry and signal processing. The system further comprises a power system providing energy and control circuitry conductively coupled to the biological sensor array, supporting various wearable configurations (e.g., patches or caps).
The independent claims cover wearable systems integrating arrays of ADFMR sensor ASICs within various wearable structures, paired with power systems, control circuitry, ambient sensor arrays, and sensor shielding, enabling sensitive, low-power, noise-reduced biological EM field measurement in flexible wearable formats.
Stated Advantages
ADFMR sensors function at room temperature without need for cryogenic cooling or vapor cells, unlike SQUID or SERF sensors.
Wearable sensor nodes can be placed adjacent to the scalp or body surface, allowing closer proximity sensing and higher sensor density than current devices.
The system operates with higher noise density tolerances (∼10 pT/sqrt(Hz)) compensated by sensor density and proximity, reducing power consumption.
The sensor array and device enable low power modes, activating subsets of sensors dynamically for efficient monitoring and localization.
ADFMR sensors can include specialized features such as noise cancellation circuitry, reducing the need for heavy sensor shielding.
High-volume, wafer-scale manufacturability of ADFMR sensors permits low-cost, large-scale production.
Wearable form factor flexibility accommodates different user sizes, body regions, and use cases.
Portability supports continuous, real-time biometric monitoring during normal user activities.
Integration with smart devices and BCIs is facilitated by the system’s modular and adaptable architecture.
Documented Applications
Brain activity monitoring and brain-computer interface (BCI) applications, including virtual reality and augmented reality integration.
Monitoring of biological EM fields in muscles and heart activity.
Medical monitoring devices, such as epileptic seizure detection and clinical brain scanning.
Integration with mobile and smart/wearable devices for biometric profiling.
Use in flight simulator interfaces.
Multi-region biomonitoring through simultaneous deployment of multiple wearable sensors.
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