Apparatus for measuring blood characteristics for deployment on a host device having a digital sensor
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9855009-B2
Publication Date
2018-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for working in conjunction with a digital sensor, CPU and display of a host device in order to measure blood characteristics that includes a housing configured for association with the host device so as to define between them a chamber into which at least a portion of an appendage of a living being is placed such that a tip of the appendage is deployed adjacent to the digital sensor so as to cover the digital sensor. The chamber substantially encloses the digital sensor. Light from a light source is directed toward the appendage tip, wherein at least some light from the light source is reflected by tissue of the appendage, is received by the sensor and data thereby generated is processed by the CUP to determine the blood characteristics.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus configured for use with a digital sensor, CPU and display of an external host device to measure blood characteristics. The apparatus includes a housing having an end wall and side walls, and a cover, with a bottom edge of at least one side wall adapted for releasable attachment to the host device so as to define a chamber between the housing and the host device. The chamber substantially encloses the digital sensor and receives at least a portion of a finger of a living mammalian subject such that a tip of the finger is deployed adjacent to the digital sensor so as to cover the digital sensor, while light from a light source is directed toward the finger tip.
At least some light from the light source interacts with tissue of the finger, is received by the digital sensor, and data generated thereby is processed by the CPU to determine the blood characteristics. The light source is mounted on the end wall to direct light axially at the tip of the finger in the chamber. The releasable attachment is a detachable connection such that the housing is removable from the host device, and the cover is configured to rotate outward upon entry of the at least a portion of the finger into the chamber.
The invention further includes a method for determining blood characteristics using the apparatus in conjunction with a digital sensor, CPU and display of a host device. The method provides the CPU with a program for analyzing blood characteristics, attaches the housing to define the chamber enclosing the digital sensor, places the finger portion so the finger tip covers the digital sensor, directs light axially at the finger tip to interact with tissue, receives light with the digital sensor, and analyzes sensor data using the CPU to determine the blood characteristics.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims, an apparatus claim and a method claim. Across these claims, the core coverage centers on a detachable housing that forms a finger chamber around a digital sensor, axial illumination of the finger tip via a mounted light source, and CPU-based analysis to determine blood characteristics.
Detachable finger-chamber housing for digital sensor on a host device
A housing having an end wall, first side wall, second side wall, and a cover with a bottom edge adapted for releasable attachment to the host device to define a chamber substantially enclosing the digital sensor, with at least a portion of a finger placed such that a tip is deployed adjacent to the digital sensor and covers the digital sensor, and with detachable connection so the housing is removable from the host device.
Axial light directed at finger tip with sensor-received tissue-interacted light processed by the CPU
A light source mounted on the end wall to direct light axially at the tip of the finger in the chamber such that at least some light interacts with tissue, is received by the digital sensor, and data generated thereby is processed by the CPU to determine the blood characteristics.
Rotating cover upon finger entry
The cover configured to rotate outward upon entry of the at least a portion of the finger into the chamber.
CPU program-based analysis to determine blood characteristics from sensor data with apparatus attachment
Providing the CPU with a program for analyzing blood characteristics; attaching the housing to the host device to define a chamber; placing the finger portion so the tip covers the digital sensor; directing light axially to interact with tissue; receiving light by the digital sensor; and analyzing data generated by the digital sensor using the CPU to determine the blood characteristics.
Taken together, the independent claims focus on a detachable housing that defines a chamber enclosing a digital sensor for finger placement, an end-wall mounted light source that directs axial light at the finger tip so tissue-interacted light is received by the digital sensor, and CPU processing of sensor data to determine blood characteristics, including a cover that rotates outward upon finger entry.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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