System and method for monitoring conditions of a subject based on wireless sensor data
Inventors
Acquista, Angelo Joseph • SPROAT, Keith • GEYSTER, Steven • Bertolero, Arthur • Ma, Leung-Hang • Shambroom, John • MUGHAL, Benjamin • BOUTHILLIER, Robert Joseph • FUSARO, Michael Peter • Goodrich, Elisabeth
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12053302-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for wirelessly obtaining physiological data from a subject includes a sensor patch and a separate electronics package. The sensor patch is disposed on and adheres to the subject, and includes a first part of a releasable electrical connector. An electronics package includes a second part of the first releasable electrical connector, which is used to physically and electrically connect the electronics package to the sensor patch. The electronics package includes a flexible substrate, with shells set on this substrate. The shells enclose the electronics. The shells are connected by a flexible circuit board. Analog front end circuitry is placed in one shell, while the wireless transceiver is placed in the other shell.
Core Innovation
The disclosed technology relates to a wireless physiological monitoring system in which a skin-adhered sensor patch electrically interfaces with a separate electronics package through releasable electrical connectors. The sensor patch includes at least one electrode configured to contact a subject, with adhesive layers defining apertures through which connector portions are disposed, and a protective layer covering the adhesive layer defining openings dimensioned for enabling disposal of connector portions therethrough.
The electronics package monitors physiological signals from sensors associated with the patch and wirelessly transmits corresponding physiological data to another device. The package includes a first shell and a second shell disposed and spaced apart on a substrate, with a first electronics sub-system disposed in the first shell and a second electronics sub-system disposed in the second shell. The second electronics sub-system includes analog front end circuitry configured to receive physiological signals from the sensors to generate physiological data, while the first electronics sub-system includes a wireless transceiver.
A key structural concept is the routing and separation of electrical connections between the patch connectors and the analog front end circuitry, using active traces and an open lead. The open lead is electrically connected to a first active trace and is routed along and spaced a predetermined distance from a different active trace, with a free end terminating proximal to connectors, and in method embodiments electronic noise is equalized between an active trace and an open lead at a confluence point where active traces meet the analog front end circuitry.
The disclosed system further includes adhesive patch layering embodiments and packaging for multi-sensor ECG geometries, including sensor arrangements held by a release liner and electrode configurations arranged approximately in an L-shaped geometrical arrangement. Networked wireless sensor arrangements are also described using master synchronization packets for time synchronization and timing alignment, with physiological applications including electrocardiogram monitoring and examples using synchronized electrocardiogram and plethysmography to estimate blood pressure.
Claims Coverage
The provided excerpt includes three independent claims: an electrode patch claim, a method claim, and an electronics package claim. Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on connectorized electrode patch construction with separated routing of an open lead, and on a two-shell electronics architecture with analog front end circuitry connected via active traces and an open lead, supporting wireless generation and transmission of physiological data.
A connectorized electrode patch with an open lead spaced from active traces
An electrode patch including at least one subject-contacting electrode; a plurality of releasable electrical connectors electrically coupled to the electrode and configured for electrical communication with an electronics package; an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to a subject and defining at least one aperture with at least a portion of the electrode disposed through the aperture; a protective layer over the adhesive layer defining openings dimensioned to enable disposing respective connector portions therethrough; a plurality of active traces electrically connecting respective connectors with the electronics package; and an open lead electrically connected to a first active trace and routed along and spaced a predetermined distance from a different active trace, with a free end terminating proximal to connectors.
A wireless physiological data acquisition method with noise equalization using an open lead
A method for obtaining physiological data by adheringly disposing a sensor patch on a subject including a sensor configured to electrically couple at least one releasable electrical connector; physically electrically coupling an electronics package to the patch with the connector coupled to analog front-end circuitry configured to monitor a plurality of signal electrodes via respective active traces; generating physiological data corresponding to the subject and wirelessly transmitting the corresponding data; and equalizing an electronic noise signal between an active trace and an open lead electrically connected at a confluence of active traces with analog front end circuitry, wherein the open lead is routed along and spaced at a predetermined separation from a different active trace, has a length similar to the different active trace, and has a free end electrically isolated from each signal electrode other than the respective signal electrode.
A two-shell electronics package with analog front end in one shell and open-lead topology
An electronics package including a substrate; a patch configured to attach to a subject and including a plurality of sensors; electrical connectors on the patch connected to the substrate; a first shell and a second shell disposed and spaced apart on the substrate; and an electronics package configured to monitor at least one sensor associated with physiological data and wirelessly transmit the monitored data, wherein the electronics package includes a first electronics sub-system disposed in the first shell and a second electronics sub-system disposed in the second shell with analog front end circuitry receiving physiological signals from sensors to generate physiological data and the first sub-system including a wireless transceiver, with a first flexible electrical circuit electrically connecting the first and second sub-systems, a plurality of active traces connecting electrical connectors to the analog front end circuitry including a first active trace and a second active trace, and an open lead terminating proximal to a first electrical connector electrically connected to the first active trace while the second active trace electrically connects a second connector to the analog front end circuitry.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a subject-contacting electrode patch with releasable connectors routed through adhesive and protective apertures or openings, active traces connecting connectors to electronics, and an open lead routed along and spaced from a different active trace and used in a noise equalization context at the confluence with analog front end circuitry. The electronics package is further structured with spaced first and second shells, analog front end circuitry in one shell, and a wireless transceiver in the other shell, enabling generation and wireless transmission of physiological data.
Stated Advantages
wirelessly transmit monitored physiological data to another device
monitor physiological signals from sensors and generate physiological data corresponding to the subject
equalize electronic noise signal between an active trace and an open lead
improve electrical noise rejection through routing and spacing of an open lead relative to a different active trace
Documented Applications
Obtaining physiological data from a subject using an adheringly disposed sensor patch coupled to an electronics package and wirelessly transmitting the corresponding data.
Electrocardiogram monitoring using multi-sensor ECG geometries and electrode geometries arranged approximately in an L-shaped configuration.
Blood pressure estimation using synchronized electrocardiogram and plethysmography as discussed in the disclosed examples.
Networked wireless sensor arrangements employing time synchronization and alignment using master synchronization packets.
Clinical and consumer contexts by reusing the electronics package for both contexts as described.
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