Displacement sensor for use in measuring biological parameters
Inventors
Shemesh, Eldad • Kouperman, Igor • Spektor, Boris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11950929-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure concerns a sensor assembly for measuring displacement of a contact surface at least along a central axis of the assembly caused by pressure applied on the surface by the skin of a user during measurement of at least one biological parameter of the user.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for determining a biological parameter of a subject by using a displacement sensor that detects displacement of a contact surface in response to pressure change of the skin on the contact surface. The displacement sensor includes a sensing unit with at least one light detector and at least one light source with an optical axis defined between them, and a light blocking member associated with the sensing unit. Displacement of the contact surface induces the light blocking member to block light propagating along the optical axis in a manner proportional to the displacement, to obtain data indicative of displacement of the contact surface.
The system further includes a control unit in data communication with the displacement sensor for receiving data indicative of movement of the contact surface. The control unit comprises an extractor module for extracting the biological parameter from the data indicative of movement of a skin surface. The system also includes an optical biological sensor having a common contact surface with the displacement sensor.
The invention also provides measuring devices in which the displacement sensor assembly increases accuracy of operation of an at least one biological sensor configured for optically measuring a biological parameter of a user at skin. In these devices, a skin contact surface is movable along a central axis of the assembly in response to pressure change, while an interior sensing unit includes a light source and a light detector arranged to detect light emitted directly toward the detector. A light blocking member changes the amount of light reaching the detector directly from the light source in consequence with displacement of the contact surface, whereby the light received by the light detector is indicative of the displacement.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00007, clm-00015, clm-00016). The inventive features center on a displacement sensor using a light source, light detector, and light blocking member together with an optical biological sensor sharing or fixed to a contact surface, and control/extractor logic to derive biological parameters from displacement-indicative data.
Displacement sensor with optical axis light blocking proportional to skin pressure displacement
A displacement sensor comprising a contact surface configured to contact skin surface, a sensing unit having at least one light detector and at least one light source with an optical axis defined between them, and a light blocking member associated with the sensing unit such that displacement of the contact surface induces the blocking member to block light propagating along said axis in a manner proportional to the displacement, in response to pressure change of the skin on the contact surface, to obtain data indicative of displacement of the contact surface.
Extractor module deriving a biological parameter from displacement-indicative movement data
A control unit in data communication with the displacement sensor for receiving data indicative of said movement of the contact surface, wherein the control unit comprises extractor module for extracting the biological parameter from the data indicative of movement of a skin surface.
Optical biological sensor sharing a common contact surface with the displacement sensor
An optical biological sensor having a common contact surface with the displacement sensor.
Measuring device using movable skin contact surface displacement to increase accuracy of an optical biological sensor
A measuring device wherein a displacement sensor assembly is configured for use in measuring a biological parameter at the skin of a user, the displacement sensor assembly comprising a skin contact surface facing towards an exterior and configured for contacting the skin and movable along a central axis in response to pressure change, a sensing unit disposed within an interior having an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the central axis with a light source and light detector arranged to detect light emitted directly towards the detector, and a light blocking member operative to change the amount of light reaching the detector directly from the light source in consequence with displacement of the contact surface, whereby the light received by the light detector is indicative of the displacement of the contact surface.
Mounting arrangement fixing one optical component to the contact surface to drive light blocking
A mounting arrangement such that one of the sensing unit and the blocking member is fixedly associated with the contact surface so as to be movable therewith, and the other is free of such fixed association with the contact surface, the arrangement being such that movement of the member associated with the contact surface relative to the member free of such association is configured to cause the light blocking member to at least partially block light emitted by the light source towards the detector, allowing that light received by the light detector to be indicative of the displacement of the contact surface.
Biological sensor fixed to the movable contact surface and facing the same direction for optical measurement
At least one biological sensor configured for optically measuring at least one biological parameter of a user, the biological sensor being fixed to the contact surface and facing the same direction as the contact surface for performing the optical measurement via the contact surface.
Perpendicular optical axis sensing unit with light source and detector detecting direct light
A sensing unit disposed within an interior and having an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, the sensing unit comprising a light source configured to emit light along the optical axis and a light detector facing towards the light source and configured to detect light emitted by the light source directly towards the detector.
Contact surface forming part of a structure that holds the biological sensor
At least one biological sensor fixed to the contact surface and faces in the same direction as the contact surface, the biological sensor configured for optically measuring at least one biological parameter of a user, the contact surface constituting part of a structure, which hold the at least one biological sensor.
Across clm-00001, clm-00007, clm-00015, and clm-00016, the claims are directed to measuring biological parameters using an optical biological sensor that shares or is fixed to a movable skin contact surface, where displacement of that contact surface caused by skin pressure is detected via a light source/light detector arrangement and a light blocking member that changes direct light reaching the detector in response to displacement, and where an extractor/control/analyzer module derives the biological parameter from displacement-indicative data.
Stated Advantages
Increase accuracy of operation of the at least one biological sensor.
Documented Applications
Determining a biological parameter of a subject using displacement sensor data and an optical biological sensor sharing a common contact surface.
Measuring a biological parameter at the skin of a user with a displacement sensor assembly configured to increase accuracy of operation of an optically measuring biological sensor.
Optically measuring biological parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, or respiration rate as examples described in the claim family.
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