`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0264714 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 22, 2009
`Chou
`
`US 20090264714A1
`
`(54) NON-INVASIVE VITAL SIGN MONITORING
`METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM
`
`(76) Inventor:
`
`Chang-An Chou, Taipei (TW)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Chang-An Chou
`3F, No. 100, Sec. 3. Mingsheng E. Rd.
`Taipei 105 (TW)
`
`(21) App1.No.:
`
`12/300,128
`
`(22) PcT Filed:
`
`May 18,2007
`
`(86) PcT No.:
`
`PCT/CN07/01619
`
`§ 371 (0X1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Nov. 10, 2008
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 18, 2006 (CN) ....................... .. 200610082707.7
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A61B 5/00
`
`(200601)
`
`(52) U.S. c1. ...................................................... .. 600/301
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus includes a
`detecting device (108) attached to a ?rst user though an
`attaching element (110), and a receiving device (102) held by
`a second user for Wirelessly receiving the signals and mes
`sages from the detecting device (108). The detecting device
`(108) includes a detecting unit (116-128) for gathering a
`physiological signal from the ?rst user, a sensing mechanism
`(114) mounted on the attaching element (110), having a com
`bined state and a released state for corresponding to the
`attaching relationship thereof With the attaching element
`(110), and a control unit (112) for controlling the operation of
`the detecting device (108), Wherein the control unit (112)
`triggers a Warning message When the gathered physiological
`signal does not conform to a preset physiological condition,
`the control unit (112) triggers a noti?cation of released state
`When the sensing mechanism (114) is under the released state,
`and in accordance With the states of the sensing mechanism
`(114), the control unit (112) drives the detecting device (108)
`to enter different operation modes. Furthermore, When
`receiving the Warning message, the receiving device (102)
`sends out a Warning notice to shoW the second user a discon
`formity between the gathered physiological signal and the
`preset physiological condition, and When receiving the noti
`?cation of released state, the receiving device (102) sends out
`a release notice to the second user.
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 2 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`3 of 19
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 3 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`Gather physioligical signal
`
`Csmpare with preset physiaiogical cundition
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`4 of 19
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 4 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 8 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 9 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`Oct. 22, 2009 Sheet 10 0f 10
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
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`Oct. 22, 2009
`
`NON-INVASIVE VITAL SIGN MONITORING
`METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention is related to a vital sign moni
`toring method, apparatus, and system, and more particularly,
`to a non-invasive vital sign monitoring method, apparatus and
`system for correctly providing an instant Warning.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The nursing demands in hospitals and home are
`gradually increased since the aging problem has become a
`serious issue in the modern society. HoWever, nursing care
`requires the supports of manpoWer and ?nancial resources,
`especially for those requiring long-term or full time care, so
`that there have many ideas being disclosed for solving this
`problem.
`[0003] Among the solutions, electronic equipments, Which
`already in?uence our life deeply, are introduced into the
`medical ?eld for solving the problem described above,
`Wherein the monitoring device and communication technol
`ogy are employed to replace the human company, and thus,
`the goal of taking care of multiple patients simultaneously by
`one person can be easily achieved.
`[0004] Traditionally, the monitoring is focused on transmit
`ting the sound or picture of the patient to the carer at other
`place, for example, utiliZing a microphone or camera. The
`most popular application is to take care of baby(s). The par
`ents or the babysitter don’t have to accompany aside the baby
`and can Work, for example, in another room, With the receiver,
`such as, a speaker or a screen, so that the full attention to the
`baby is only required as the receiver shoWs any abnormality.
`[0005] Another kind of application is to take care of adults.
`For example, in the sickroom, there alWays has an emergency
`button for notifying the nursing department the emergency
`situation occurred therein, so that the medical personnel can
`have an immediate response.
`[0006] As described, the above-described applications are
`based on a passive noti?cation, that is, if the baby is smoth
`ered Without crying, then it Will be dif?cult for the carer to
`notice this lethal condition, or if the patient stays in the
`sickroom by himself, then he might not have the capability to
`press the emergency button for asking rescue in some circum
`stances. Therefore, improvements are necessary.
`[0007] For solving the problem, monitoring physiological
`parameters becomes the major Way to realiZe testee’s physi
`cal conditions. Generally, physiological parameter monitor
`ing employs many sensors to attach to the monitored person
`for gathering physiological parameters, Which are then trans
`mitted back to a remote receiver, so that When abnormal
`change in physiological parameters occurs, the monitor can
`act properly. Furthermore, a Warning system might also be
`included for notifying the monitor the abnormal situation.
`[0008] HoWever, one draWback of this kind of device is the
`complicated sensor arrangement, Which obviously is a burden
`on the user and Which might not be easily completed by the
`user himself. Besides, since the Warning system is alWays set
`to be triggered only When the selected physiological param
`eter is beyond a normal range, this is still a passive notifying
`for the monitor, but oppositely, a real time transmission has to
`consume a large amount of electricity, Which is undesired in
`most applications, above all, for the battery operated devices.
`Therefore, it is dif?cult to complete in both respects. In addi
`
`tion, an accident situation that the sensor comes off the human
`body Will also trigger the Warning system, so that it is hard for
`the monitor to differentiate this from the real danger hap
`pened on the user since the physiological parameter also
`shoWs abnormality in this situation.
`[0009] Consequently, the object of the present invention is
`to provide a non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus
`With a high-ef?cient poWer utiliZation, so as to actively pro
`vide accurate, instant physiological information and status
`related to the person to be monitored.
`[0010] Another object of the present invention is to a non
`invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus employing a sensing
`mechanism, Which can discover the coming off of the sensor,
`so as to reduce the incorrect Warning.
`[0011] Another further object of the present invention is to
`provide a non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus, in
`Which the monitor at the receiving end can actively request
`the detecting end to transmit back requested information, so
`that the monitor can be easily aWare of the real physiological
`situation of the user Without Wasting poWer.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0012] A non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus
`including a detecting device, attached to a ?rst user through
`an attaching element and a receiving device, held by a second
`user, for Wirelessly receiving the signals and messages from
`the detecting device is disclosed. The detecting device
`includes a detecting unit, for gathering a physiological signal
`from the ?rst user, a sensing mechanism, mounted on the
`attaching element, having a combined state and a released
`state for corresponding to the attaching relationship thereof
`With the attaching element, and a control unit, for controlling
`the operation of the detecting device, Wherein the control unit
`triggers a Warning message When the gathered physiological
`signal does not conform to a preset physiological condition,
`the control unit triggers a noti?cation of released state When
`the sensing mechanism is under the released state, and in
`accordance With the states of the sensing mechanism, the
`control unit drives the detecting device to enter different
`operation modes. Furthermore, When receiving the Warning
`message, the receiving device sends out a Warning notice to
`shoW the second user a disconformity betWeen the gathered
`physiological signal and the preset physiological condition,
`and When receiving the noti?cation of released state, the
`receiving device sends out a release notice to the second user.
`[0013] Preferably, the physiological signal is a heartbeat
`signal and/or a pulse signal, and the detecting unit is an
`optical detecting unit comprising an optical emitting element
`and an optical receiving element, Wherein the quantity of the
`optical emitting element and the optical receiving element are
`both changeable, and the optical detecting unit is attached to
`the ?rst user by clipping, surrounding or adhering, and at
`?nger, ear, or forehead.
`[0014] More advantageously, the apparatus can further
`include a pieZo-type detecting element, attached to the ?rst
`user, for gathering another kind of physiological signal from
`the ?rst user, Wherein the pieZo -type detecting element is used
`for detecting signals generated by skin surface vibration and/
`or skin expansion/contraction, and the pieZo-type detecting
`element is attached to the ?rst user by adhering, surrounding
`or binding, and at the chest or the neck.
`
`12 of 19
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`Oct. 22, 2009
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`[0015] More advantageously, the apparatus can further
`include a non-invasive physiological electrode, attached to
`the ?rst user, for gathering another kind of physiological
`signal from the ?rst user.
`[0016] More advantageously, the apparatus can further
`include a movement sensing element, Wherein the movement
`sensing element is located inside the detecting device, and the
`signals gathered by the movement sensing element are used to
`be a judging reference of other signals.
`[0017] More advantageously, the apparatus can further
`include a sound sensing element, for providing a sound output
`by the ?rst user or by the environment around the ?rst user to
`the second user.
`[0018] More advantageously, the apparatus can further
`include a temperature sensing element, for providing a body
`temperature information and/ or an environment temperature
`information.
`[0019] Furthermore, the combined state of the sensing
`mechanism may trigger the control unit to send out a noti?
`cation of combined state, and the sensing mechanism is
`located betWeen the attaching element and the detecting
`device, and/or betWeen the attaching element and the ?rst
`user.
`[0020] Moreover, the detecting device may further include
`a button, for being used by the ?rst user to trigger a mayday
`message, and then the receiving device, after receiving the
`mayday message, sends out a mayday notice and simulta
`neously sends out a rescue-requesting message to an emer
`gency system.
`[0021] Preferably, the notices sent by the receiving device
`are implemented as sound, light, image and/or vibration.
`[0022] More advantageously, the signals and messages sent
`by the detecting device are received by multiple receiving
`devices, and/or the receiving device can receive signals and
`messages from multiple detecting devices.
`[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, a non
`invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus is provided. The
`apparatus includes a detecting device, attached to a ?rst user
`through an attaching element for gathering physiological sig
`nals from the ?rst user, including a sensing mechanism,
`mounted on the attaching element, having a combined state
`and a released state for corresponding to an attaching rela
`tionship thereof With the attaching element, Wherein accord
`ing to the states of the sensing mechanism, the detecting
`device are changed to enter different operation modes; and a
`receiving device, held by a second user, including an opera
`tion interface, Which is utiliZed by the second user to send out
`a requesting message for requesting the detecting device to
`transmit back a particular physiological signal.
`[0024] Preferably, the different operation modes have dif
`ferent poWer supplying conditions.
`[0025] In further another aspect of the present invention, a
`non-invasive method for monitoring physiological signals
`includes steps of a) providing a detecting device With an
`attaching element and a receiving device; b) providing a
`sensing mechanism, having a combined state and a release
`state, on the detecting device; c) attaching the detecting
`device on a user through the attaching element; d) gathering a
`physiological signal; e) monitoring the states of the sensing
`mechanism; f) sending out a noti?cation of released state to
`the receiving device as the detecting device detects the
`released state; and g) sending out a release notice as the
`receiving device receives the noti?cation of released state for
`shoWing the release state.
`
`[0026] More advantageously, the method may further
`include the steps of h) as the combined state is detected,
`sending out a noti?cation of combined state by the detecting
`device to the receiving device; and i) sending out a combina
`tion notice by the receiving device after receiving the noti?
`cation of combined state.
`[0027] In still another aspect of the present invention, a
`non-invasive method for monitoring physiological signals
`includes steps of a) providing a detecting device With an
`attaching element and a receiving device; b) providing an
`operation interface on the receiving device; c) attaching the
`detecting device on a user through the attaching element; d)
`gathering a physiological signal; e) sending out a requesting
`message through the operation interface, so as to request the
`detecting device to transmit a particular physiological signal;
`and f) transmitting the requested physiological signal to the
`receiving device after the detecting device receives the
`requesting message.
`[0028] In another further aspect of the present invention, a
`non-invasive vital sign monitoring system includes at least a
`non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus and at least an
`administration console. The monitoring apparatus includes a
`detecting device, attached to a user through an attaching
`element, having a detecting unit, for gathering a physiological
`signal from the ?rst user, a sensing mechanism, mounted on
`the attaching element, having a combined state and a released
`state for corresponding to an attaching relationship thereof
`With the attaching element, and a control unit, for controlling
`the operation of the detecting device, Wherein the control unit
`triggers a Warning message When the gathered physiological
`signal does not conform to a preset physiological condition,
`the control unit triggers a noti?cation of released state When
`the sensing mechanism is under the released state, and the
`control unit drives the detecting device to enter different
`operation modes in accordance With the states of the sensing
`mechanism; and a receiving device for Wirelessly receiving
`the physiological signals and messages from the detecting
`device. Furthermore, When receiving the Warning message,
`the receiving device sends out a Warning notice to the admin
`istration console for shoWing a disconformity betWeen the
`gathered signals and the preset physiological condition, and
`When receiving the noti?cation of released state, the receiving
`device sends out a release notice to the administration console
`for shoWing the attaching situation of the detecting device.
`[0029] Preferably, the vital sign monitoring apparatus is
`connected With the administration console through a netWork
`system, Which is a Wired or Wireless netWork system.
`[0030] More advantageously, the administration console
`may send out a requesting message for requesting a physi
`ological signal from the detecting device, and the requesting
`message is transmitted to the receiving device and then to the
`detecting device, and the detecting device transmits back the
`physiological signal after receiving the requesting message.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[003 1] A more detailed understanding of the invention may
`be had from the folloWing description of a preferred embodi
`ment, given by Way of example, and to be understood in
`conjunction With the accompanying draWings, Wherein:
`[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic vieW shoWing a non-invasive
`vital sign monitoring apparatus according to the present
`invention;
`
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`[0033] FIGS. 2A~2F show various implementation types
`of the detecting device and the attaching element in the non
`invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus according to the
`present invention;
`[0034] FIG. 3 is a How chart shoWing the Warning process
`of the non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus according
`to the present invention;
`[0035] FIGS. 4A~4E shoW various possible embodiments
`of the sensing mechanism according to the present invention;
`[0036] FIGS. 5A~5B are How charts shoWing the noti?ca
`tion process of the sensing mechanism according to the
`present invention;
`[0037] FIG. 6 is a How chart shoWing the process that the
`receiving device actively requests the information transmis
`sion according to the present invention;
`[0038] FIG. 7 is a How chart shoWing the mayday process
`according to the present invention;
`[0039] FIGS. 8A~8C shoW the possible examples of the
`receiving device according to the present invention;
`[0040] FIG. 9 is a schematic vieW shoWing one kind of
`relationship betWeen the detecting devices and the receiving
`device;
`[0041] FIG. 10 is a schematic vieW shoWing another kind of
`relationship betWeen the detecting device and the receiving
`devices; and
`[0042] FIG. 11 is a schematic vieW shoWing a non-invasive
`vital sign monitoring system according to the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0043] The present invention provides an apparatus for
`non-invasively and instantly monitoring vital sign Which pro
`vides not only a Warning notice to notify the occurrence of
`abnormal vital sign, but also a notice representing the coming
`off of the detecting device, so as to con?rm the accuracy of the
`Warning notice. Besides, through the receiving device, the
`monitor can actively request the detecting device to transmit
`back information related thereto so as to achieve a completed
`and effective tWo-Way communication.
`[0044] Please refer to FIG. 1, Which is a schematic vieW
`shoWing the non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus
`according to the present invention. As shoWn, the non-inva
`sive vital sign monitoring apparatus 100 includes tWo major
`parts, one is a detecting device 108 attached to a user and the
`other is a receiving device 102 monitored by a monitor, and
`the detecting device 108 is attached to the user through an
`attaching element 110. The detecting device 108 includes at
`least a physiological signal detecting element 116~128, a
`sensing mechanism 114 and a control unit 112, and the receiv
`ing device 102 includes a displaying element 104 and an
`operation interface 106.
`[0045] According to the purposes of the present invention,
`the detecting device and the receiving device are respectively
`arranged on the user and on the monitor Who does not stay
`aside the user, so that the communication therebetWeen must
`be implemented as Wireless.
`[0046] Furthermore, since the detecting device is attached
`to the user through the attaching element, for achieving this
`attachment and also for reducing the user’s burden, the detect
`ing device is implemented to have a small volume and a light
`Weight. As to the attaching element, according to different
`attaching positions, it can be implemented into different
`types, for example, a belt (FIG. 2A), a patch (FIG. 2B) or a
`
`handing band (FIG. 2C). HoWever, the type thereof is not
`limited, and the major principle is not to increase the burden
`on the user.
`[0047] The detecting element is employed to gather physi
`ological signals from the user. In the present invention, the
`physiological signal can be a heartbeat because it perhaps is
`the most representative and most easily obtained physiologi
`cal signal for a living body.
`[0048] The reasons for choosing heartbeat as the physi
`ological signal to be monitored are as folloWed. Generally, no
`matter Which kind of physical situation happens, the heartbeat
`is directly in?uenced. Moreover, heartbeat is an easily
`obtained physiological signal, Which means the user can eas
`ily complete the arrangement of heartbeat detecting element
`Without any professional training. Besides, there are many
`sources for obtaining heartbeat, such as, the contraction of
`blood vessel, the heart sounds from heart beating, and the skin
`vibration from pulse etc. And, there is almost no limitation for
`positioning the heartbeat detecting element.
`[0049] Except the description above, taking heartbeat as the
`physiological signal for monitoring vital sign is advantageous
`that heartbeat is a stable physiological signal Which is not
`easily in?uenced by external factors, such as, body and limb
`movement.
`[0050] Most importantly, heartbeat is the best value repre
`senting the stability of human life. Particularly, When judging
`the aged people With chronic disease, the patients in danger of
`some fulminating diseases, or the speechless babies, hoW to
`con?rm the physical condition thereof is under a stable state
`is signi?cantly important.
`[0051] Therefore, heartbeat/pulse signal is actually a physi
`ological signal Which can accurately represent the vital sign
`of a human body Without too many limitations.
`[0052] As to the detecting element to be used, there are
`many choices;
`
`(1) Optical Detecting Unit
`[0053] The optical detecting unit is a combination of opti
`cal emitting element and optical receiving element. When
`heart beats, the blood vessel connecting to the heart Will
`relatively have a contraction, so that the absorption variation
`of the emitted light Which passes through the blood vessel can
`represent the contraction frequency of the blood vessel, so as
`to realiZe the heartbeat frequency.
`
`(2) PiZeo-Type Detecting Element
`[0054] The piZeo-type detecting element senses the vibra
`tion at the skin surface caused by heart beating and/or blood
`vessel contraction, and the vibration changing can be trans
`formed into current variation for calculating heartbeat/pulse
`alteration.
`
`(3) Physiological Electrodes
`[0055] The ECG (electrocardiograph) electrodes can be
`employed. Here, since it only needs to knoW the change of
`heartbeat/pulse, the arranged positions of the ECG electrodes
`are not as critical as the ECG monitoring, so that there is no
`dif?culty for the user in arranging.
`[0056] Of course, except the heartbeat/pulse, other physi
`ological parameters also can be used for monitoring and/or
`assisting the judgment, so that a better result can be obtained
`through a cross reference therebtWeen. One choice is the
`movement sensing element, for providing the moving infor
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`US 2009/0264714 A1
`
`Oct. 22, 2009
`
`mation of the user. The movement sensing element can be
`located in the detecting device 108 (as indicated by 128
`shown in FIG. 1), or can be combined With other detecting
`element (as indicated by 126 shoWn in FIG. 1). Alternatively,
`a GPS can be utiliZed for providing the location of the user.
`Another choice is the temperature sensing element 124,
`Which is used for providing body temperature or/and envi
`ronmental temperature information for judge assistance. Of
`course, these are only for illustration, and not for limitation.
`[0057] FIGS. 2A~2F shoW various implementation types
`for the detecting device and the attaching element in the
`non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus according to the
`present invention, Wherein in accordance With different kinds
`of physiological signals and different detecting elements, and
`simultaneously considering the comfort, convenience and
`mobility of the user, the combination of the detecting device
`and the attaching element can have many choices. For
`example, it can be implemented as a Watch type detecting
`device With a clipping type detecting element (FIG. 2D), a
`ring type combined detecting element and device (FIG. 2E),
`or a patch type detecting device near the ear With an ear
`clipping detecting element (FIG. 2F). Moreover, if the arrang
`ing position of the detecting device is not limited, then the
`attaching element can be implemented into a common type,
`such as, a belt for head, chest, arm or Wrist (FIG. 2A), an
`adhering patch for almost Whole skin surface, and a hanging
`band (FIG. 2C). Alternatively, the detecting elements in
`FIGS. 2A and 2B can be directly integrated With the belt or
`patch, or FIGS. 2B and 2C can be combined together to
`become another kind of implementation. Therefore, all these
`described examples are only depicted for illustration and not
`for limitation.
`[0058] As to the control unit in the detecting device, it is
`used to control the operation of the detecting device. There
`fore, the Warning function, as described above, provided by
`the non-invasive vital sign monitoring apparatus according to
`the present invention is controlled by the control unit. The
`process for generating Warning message is shoWn in FIG. 3.
`Firstly, after gathering the physiological signals, the gathered
`signals are compared to a preset physiological condition.
`Then, if the gathered signals do not match to the preset con
`dition, the control unit immediately sends out a Warning mes
`sage to the receiving device, and after receiving the Warning
`message, the receiving device produce a Warning notice for
`notifying the monitor. Here, the notice can be implemented
`into various types, such as, sound, light, vibration or image.
`[0059] Since the detecting device and the receiving device
`are Wirelessly communicated With each other, battery con
`sumption becomes a serious problem, especially the detect
`ing device is implemented to be portable. Therefore, if it is
`implemented to be a real time Wireless transmission, then the
`principles of Weightless and volume reduction must con?ict
`With the long-term poWer supply. For example, for keeping
`the device light and small, the battery lasting time might
`loWer to less than 24 hours, or for providing suf?cient poWer,
`it is unavoidable that the volume and Weight Will be sacri
`?ced. Accordingly, the present invention provides different
`operation modes With different poWer consuming conditions
`for conforming to different operation demands.
`[0060] First, in regard to signal gathering, the control unit is
`designed to proceed an intermittent gathering, and during the
`non-detecting period, the detecting device Will get into a
`poWer-saving mode, such as a sleep mode, so as to reduce
`poWer consumption.
`
`[0061] As to data transmission, according to the present
`invention, it also has different modes, for example, but not
`limited, a common mode and an event trigger mode.
`[0062] In common mode, the gathered physiological sig
`nals are intermittently transmitted to the receiving device.
`Here, the transmission interval also can have different
`choices, for example, at the beginning of measurement, the
`transmission interval can have a more concentrated fre
`quency, and then, as the signals become more stable, the
`transmission interval can be extended. Except the physiologi
`cal signal transmission, betWeen the detecting device and the
`receiving device, a transmission of a connection con?rmation
`message also has to be performed constantly, so as to verify
`the Wireless communication therebetWeen. Accordingly, the
`physiological signals can be transmitted together With the
`connection con?rmation message, for example, every time,
`every tWo times, or every three times the connection con?r
`mation message is transmitted. It should be noticed that if the
`physiological signal is discovered to not conform to the preset
`condition, the detecting device Will immediately be triggered
`to send out the Warning message to the receiving device, no
`matter Whether the detecting device is processing the physi
`ological signal transmission.
`[0063] In the event trigger mode, the detecting device also
`gathers the physiological signals intermittently through the
`detecting element. But, differently, in this mode, the physi
`ological signals are not transmitted periodically, that means,
`the detected physiological information is kept at the detecting
`end and not transmitted to t