(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT‘ COOPERATION 'l"REA'I'Y (PCT)
`
`
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`Inlemationai Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`1 February 2007 (01.02.2007)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`A613 5/00 (2006.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCTlIl.2006f000505
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`25 April 2006 (25.04.2006)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`601703.557
`
`English
`
`English
`
`28 July 2005 (28.07.2005)
`
`US
`
`(71) Applicant and
`(72) Inventor:
`SCHWAI-l'I'Z, Boris [ll.t'll.I‘.
`Street, 45350 Hod Hasharon ([1,).
`
`l
`
`I
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`llaodcm
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`
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`l|||||l|lI|lll||||||||||||||l|l|||l|||||||l||||||l|||||||||||||||
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`(10) International Publication Number
`
`W0 2007/013054 A1
`
`AT, AU, AZ, BA. BB. BG. BR. BW. BY. BZ, CA, CII, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI,
`GB. GD, GE, (ill. GM, IIR, IIU, ID, IL, IN, IS, ll’, Kli,
`KG. KM. KN. Kl’. KR, KZ, LC. LK. LR. LS. l..’l.‘, LU. LV.
`LY, MA, MI), MG, MK, MN, MW, MX. MZ, NA. NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PG, PII, PL. PT, RO, RU. SC, SD. SE, SG,
`SK, S1,, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ. VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM. ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (mt.le.rs ()thent't'se i'rm't'(:Lt.teJ. for every
`kind of regional pmtectiort aiiailnbte): ARIPO (BW. Gll,
`GM, K13, LS, MW, MZ. NA, SD, S1,, S2, ‘D5, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG,
`MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, Bli, BG, CH, CY, CZ, D15. DK, lili, IES, Fl,
`FR, GB, GR, Hll,lli,IS,I'1“.lI[',l.U,lN,M{T, NI... PL, PT,
`RO, S15, SI,SK, TR), OAI-‘I (BI-', [-51, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML. MR,
`SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`
`(74) Agents: SANFORD T. CUIJ3 8; CO. el al.; P.()_ Box
`2273, 76122 Rchovol (IL).
`
`— wit}: internatiomtl search report
`
`(81) Designated States (um'e.r.r rJt.ltenw'.i'e tfl(ll(.‘Hfé.'cl. for every
`kirid ofntttiotiol protection tmiilable): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`
`For .rwo—£'t?t!er codes and other abbreitiaiiorts. refer to the "Guid-
`ama? Nritex on Codes and Abbrew'at‘i'ort.i'” appearing at the begin-
`ning ofecurfi regular issue of the PCT Gtizette.
`
`(54) Title: l£AR—M()1JN’l'l£I) BIOSIENSOR
`
`(57) Abstract: A physiological monitoring device
`{I 0) includes a device housing (I l)shaper.l to Fit he-
`hind an car (12) ofa subject and a sensor (18, 28,
`30} attached to the device housing so as to sense a
`physiological characteristic ofthc subject at a loca-
`tion hehind the ear. An earphone speaker (16) ex-
`tends from the device housing towards an ear canal
`of the subject and provides an audible communica-
`tion to the subject rcsponsivcly to the physiological
`characteristic.
`
`
`
`
`
`WO2007/013054A1I|||||||||||||ll|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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`
`
`0001
`
`Apple In
`APL103
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,94
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1037
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`0001
`
`

`
`W0 20073013054
`
`PCT.*'lL2006{[|l|05l]5
`
`EAR—MOUNTED BIOSENSOR
`
`CROSS—REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This
`
`application
`
`claims
`
`the
`
`benefit
`
`of U.S.
`
`Provisional Patent Application 60/703,557,
`
`filed on July
`
`5
`
`28, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present
`
`invention relates generally to health
`
`care
`
`and
`
`specifically to methods
`
`and
`
`systems
`
`for
`
`monitoring subject well—being.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF‘ THE INVENTION
`
`Two known indicators of physical and psychological
`
`stress are Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and heart rate.
`
`GSR
`
`(also known
`
`as
`
`electrodermal
`
`response,
`
`skin
`
`conductance response, or
`
`skin conductance level)
`
`is a
`
`15
`
`neasure of electrical conductivity of a subject's skin.
`
`GSR may be determined by applying a small voltage between
`
`two electrodes affixed to the skin and measuring the
`
`generated current. Often, GSR is measured at the tip of a
`
`subject's finger or on the palm of a hand. An example of
`
`20
`
`a GSR sensor used in clinical settings is the Model V71-
`
`23
`
`Isolated Skin Conductance Coupler, distributed by
`
`Coulbourne Instruments of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
`
`Heart rate may be determined by photoplethysmography
`
`(PPG), which can also be used to measure variations in
`
`25
`
`blood oxygen levels by pulse oximetry. Oximetry readings
`
`are generally made in terms of a percent of blood oxygen
`
`saturation (SPO2). A PPG probe measures light transmitted
`
`through
`
`or
`
`reflected
`
`from arterial
`
`blood.
`
`In
`
`transmission PPG,
`
`light is generally transmitted through
`
`30
`
`a
`
`thin appendage of
`
`the body. U.S. Patent 4,301,808 to
`
`Taus,
`
`for
`
`example, whose disclosure
`
`is
`
`incorporated
`
`herein by reference, describes
`
`the use of
`
`transmission
`
`PPG to measure
`
`the pulse
`
`rate of
`
`a
`
`subject during
`
`0002
`
`0002
`
`

`
`wo 20071013054
`
`PCT.’IL2006f0I]l]5l}5
`
`physical exercise. Tans states that PPG readings be made
`
`through an appendage such as the ear,
`
`the nose septum, or
`
`the web between the forefinger and the thumb.
`
`Reflective pulse oximetry measures
`
`light reflected
`
`from arteries beneath the
`
`surface of
`
`the
`
`skin.
`
`U.S.
`
`Patent
`
`6,553,242
`
`to
`
`Sarussi,
`
`whose
`
`disclosure
`
`is
`
`incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of
`
`reflective pulse oximetry to measure heart rate, as well
`
`as
`
`indications of
`
`apnea
`
`in sleeping infants. Sarussi
`
`identifies several means of affixing an oximetry sensor
`
`to a
`
`band,
`
`subject's body,
`
`including‘
`
`a wristband,
`
`an ankle
`
`a sock,
`
`and a headband for making measurements at
`
`the subject's forehead.
`
`U.S. Patent 6,783,501 to Takahashi et al.,
`
`whose
`
`disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes
`
`the use of pulse oximetry to measure heart
`
`rate from
`
`various
`
`locations
`
`on
`
`the
`
`head
`
`during
`
`exercise.
`
`Measurement
`
`locations described by Takahashi
`
`include the
`
`forehead and the ear canal. Heart rate feedback to the
`
`exerciser may be provided by an audio indication, which
`
`may be provided through an earphone, or
`
`by
`
`a visual
`
`indication, which may be provided on a screen attached to
`
`glasses worn by the exerciser.
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`6,?60,61O
`
`to Tschupp et al., whose
`
`disclosure is incorporated herein by reference,
`
`describes
`
`the use of pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygenation in
`
`combination ‘with 2: measurement of blood. carbon dioxide
`
`levels.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0033131 to Chen et al.,
`
`30
`
`whose disclosure is
`
`incorporated herein by
`
`reference,
`
`describes
`
`an
`
`ear
`
`sensor
`
`assembly
`
`that
`
`supports
`
`an
`
`oximetry sensor
`
`in the ear concha, using an extension
`
`that clips onto the ear lobe.
`
`Wearable. medical
`
`devices
`
`that
`
`monitor
`
`an
`
`35
`
`individual’s well—being are available on the market. For
`
`
`
`0003
`
`0003
`
`

`
`wo 2uu7m13o54
`
`PCT:‘IL2006r'[l00505
`
`example,
`
`the SenseWear® Armband, distributed by Bodymedia
`
`of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
`
`employs
`
`an
`
`accelerometer
`
`that
`
`records body movement,
`
`a
`
`temperature sensor
`
`that
`
`detects
`
`changes
`
`in skin temperature,
`
`and a GSR sensor
`
`5
`
`that measures level of exertion during exercise.
`
`Psychological
`
`stress
`
`among
`
`employees
`
`can
`
`have
`
`a
`
`significant
`
`impact
`
`on
`
`their
`
`job effectiveness
`
`and can
`
`lead to accidents,
`
`absenteeism,
`
`and employee
`
`turnover.
`
`According to an article by the American Institute of
`
`10
`
`Stress,
`
`available at www.stress.org/job.htm and whose
`
`disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, workplace
`
`stress
`
`increases
`
`business
`
`costs
`
`in
`
`the U.S.
`
`by
`
`approximately $300 billion per year. Workplace testing of
`
`employees
`
`for indications of well~being is known in the
`
`15
`
`art. For example, U.S. Patent 6,352,516 to Pozos, et al.,
`
`whose disclosure is incorporated herein by
`
`reference,
`
`describes
`
`a method for monitoring employee
`
`fatigue by
`
`measuring the force of fingers striking a keyboard.
`
`0004
`
`0004
`
`

`
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`PCT.-’lL200fi{l|005iJ5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Embodiments
`
`of
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention
`
`provide
`
`apparatus
`
`and methods
`
`for monitoring
`
`one
`
`or more
`
`physiological parameters from a location behind the ear.
`
`5
`
`A sensor mounted to an earphone and positioned behind the
`
`ear
`
`is configured to sense the physiological parameters
`
`in a convenient, comfortable, and non—obtrusive manner.
`
`Photoplethysmography (PPG) of arterial blood either
`
`in the scalp behind the ear or in the ear itself may be
`
`10
`
`used.
`
`to determine heart rate and/or oxygen saturation.
`
`Galvanic Skin Response
`
`(GSR) measurements may also be
`
`made from the location behind the ear.
`
`The
`
`physiological
`
`parameters
`
`may
`
`be
`
`used
`
`to
`
`determine stress and other health indicators while an
`
`15
`
`individual being monitored is performing activities in a
`
`non—medical setting,
`
`such as activities related to work
`
`or
`
`leisure. These
`
`indicators may be provided to the
`
`individual and/or to a health care institution, such as a
`
`remotely based hospital. The earphone to which the sensor
`
`20
`
`is nmunted may be utilized to provide an indication of
`
`the sensed parameters, as well as to provide additional
`
`functions that enhance the convenience of use.
`
`There is therefore provided,
`
`in accordance with an
`
`embodiment of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`a physiological
`
`25 monitoring device,
`
`including:
`
`a device housing shaped to fit behind an ear of
`
`a
`
`subject;
`
`a sensor attached to the device housing"
`
`so as
`
`to
`
`sense a physiological characteristic of the subject at a
`
`30
`
`location behind the ear; and
`
`an
`
`earphone
`
`speaker
`
`extending
`
`from the
`
`device
`
`housing towards an ear canal of the subject and operative
`
`to provide
`
`an
`
`audible
`
`communication
`
`to the
`
`subject
`
`responsively to the physiological characteristic.
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`
`W0 20071013054
`
`PCTHL2006/000505
`
`The location may be on at
`
`least one of
`
`a scalp of
`
`the subject and a pinna of
`
`the subject,
`
`and the sensor
`
`may
`
`be
`
`operative
`
`to
`
`sense
`
`the
`
`physiological
`
`characteristic on.both the scalp and the pinna.
`
`5
`
`In
`
`some
`
`embodiments,
`
`the
`
`device
`
`includes
`
`a
`
`photoplethysmographic
`
`(PPG) probe, Which is adapted to
`
`sense
`
`a characteristic
`
`of arterial
`
`blood
`
`flow.
`
`The
`
`characteristic of arterial blood flow may include heart
`
`rate, blood oxygen saturation (spoa), or respiration rate.
`
`10
`
`The device may additionally or alternatively include
`
`a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
`
`sensor operative to sense
`
`a characteristic of
`
`skin.
`
`The
`
`GSR
`
`sensor
`
`typically
`
`includes two electrodes, which are positioned so as
`
`to
`
`contact the skin.
`
`15
`
`In some embodiments,
`
`the device includes a control
`
`unit, which
`
`is
`
`housed in the device housing and is
`
`operative to calculate a level of stress of
`
`the subject
`
`responsively to the physiological characteristic.
`
`The device may also include a transmitter, which is
`
`20
`
`housed in the device housing and is operative to transmit
`
`to an external
`
`receiver
`
`a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of
`
`the
`
`physiological characteristic.
`
`The earphone speaker- may be operative to play at
`
`least one of music and work—related communications.
`
`25
`
`There is further provided,
`
`in accordance with an
`
`embodiment
`
`of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`a
`
`system for
`
`monitoring physiological parameters,
`
`including:
`
`a physiological monitoring device,
`
`including:
`
`a device housing shaped to fit behind an ear of
`
`30
`
`a subject:
`
`a sensor attached to the device housing so as
`
`to sense
`
`a physiological characteristic of
`
`the
`
`subject at a location behind the ear;
`
`an earphone.speaker.extending front
`
`the device
`
`35
`
`housing towards
`
`an ear canal of
`
`the subject
`
`and
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`
`wo 20071013054
`
`PCT:‘lL200fi!l](}05fl5
`
`operative to provide an audible communication to the
`
`subject; and
`
`a transmitter housed in the device housing and
`
`operative to transmit
`
`a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of
`
`the
`
`5
`
`physiological characteristic; and
`
`a receiving device, separate from the physiological
`
`monitoring device and operative to receive and process
`
`the signal.
`
`In
`
`some
`
`embodiments,
`
`the
`
`receiving
`
`device
`
`is
`
`10
`
`operative to transmit an indication of the physiological
`
`characteristic
`
`over
`
`a
`
`communication
`
`network
`
`to
`
`a
`
`monitoring center.
`
`The receiving device may be operative to transmit an
`
`audio signal to be played by the earphone speaker.
`
`15
`
`In
`
`further
`
`embodiments,
`
`the
`
`indication of
`
`the
`
`physiological characteristic is an indicator of stress.
`
`Additionally,
`
`the physiological monitoring device
`
`may be included in a communication headset used by the
`
`subject in work—related communications.
`
`20
`
`There
`
`embodiment
`
`is
`
`of
`
`also provided,
`
`in accordance with
`
`an
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`a method
`
`for
`
`monitoring physiological parameters including:
`
`fitting a physiological monitoring device behind an
`
`ear of a subject in such a manner that a sensor attached
`
`25
`
`to the device housing is positioned behind the ear;
`
`sensing
`
`a
`
`physiological
`
`characteristic
`
`of
`
`the
`
`subject using the sensor at the location behind the ear;
`and
`
`responsively to the physiological Characteristic,
`
`30
`
`providing an audible communication through an earphone
`
`speaker attached to the housing and extending towards an
`
`ear canal of the subject.
`
`In disclosed embodiments,
`
`sensing the physiological
`
`characteristic
`
`includes
`
`sensing
`
`a
`
`characteristic
`
`of
`
`0007
`
`0007
`
`

`
`W0 2007;"0l3054
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`PCTJ'IL20fl6.!fl00S05
`
`arterial blood flow using a photoplethysmographic (PPG)
`
`probe.
`
`Additionally or alternatively,
`
`the sensor includes a
`
`Galvanic Skin Response
`
`(GSR)
`
`sensor,
`
`the GSR
`
`sensor
`
`5
`
`includes
`
`two electrodes,
`
`and.
`
`sensing the physiological
`
`characteristic includes applying a voltage between the
`
`two electrodes and measuring a current generated through
`
`the scalp.
`
`In some embodiments,
`
`the method includes calculating
`
`10
`
`a
`
`level of stress of
`
`the subject
`
`responsively to the
`
`physiological characteristic.
`
`In
`
`further
`
`embodiments,
`
`the method
`
`includes
`
`transmitting a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of
`
`the physiological
`
`characteristic front
`
`the physiological monitoring device
`
`15
`
`to an external receiving device. The transmission may be
`
`made over a communication network to a monitoring center.
`
`In
`
`further
`
`disclosed
`
`embodiments,
`
`the method
`
`includes playing from the earphone speaker at
`
`least one
`
`of music and work—related communications.
`
`20
`
`The present
`
`invention will be more fully understood
`
`from the
`
`following
`
`detailed
`
`description
`
`of
`
`the
`
`embodiments thereof,
`
`taken together with the drawings in
`
`which:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`25
`
`Fig.
`
`1
`
`is a schematic, pictorial
`
`illustration of a
`
`monitoring
`
`device
`
`positioned
`
`behind
`
`the
`
`ear,
`
`in
`
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`2
`
`is a schematic side view of
`
`the monitoring
`
`device of Fig.
`
`l,
`
`in accordance with an embodiment of the
`
`30
`
`present invention; and
`
`Fig.
`
`3
`
`is a schematic, pictorial
`
`illustration of
`
`a
`
`system for
`
`nmnitoring
`
`physiological
`
`parameters,
`
`in
`
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`

`
`W0 2007;"0l3054
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`PCTJ'IL20fl6.!fl00S05
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the embodiments of the present invention that are
`
`described below, one or more physiological parameters are
`
`measured from a location that is on the scalp behind the
`
`5
`
`ear.
`
`Fig.
`
`1
`
`is a schematic, pictorial
`
`illustration of
`
`a
`
`monitoring device 10 shaped to fit behind an ear 12 of a
`
`subject
`
`14,
`
`in accordance with an
`
`embodiment of
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention. The device fits between the scalp and
`
`10
`
`the
`
`pinna,
`
`i.e.,
`
`the
`
`cartilaginous
`
`portion
`
`of
`
`the
`
`external ear. Monitoring device 10 fits behind ear 12 in
`
`the manner of clip—on earphones known in the art so as to
`
`sense
`
`physiological
`
`parameters
`
`in
`
`a
`
`convenient,
`
`comfortable, and unobtrusive manner.
`
`15
`
`Sensors comprised in. monitoring device 10 Contact
`
`either a location on the scalp of subject 14 behind the
`
`ear 12 or a location on the back of the pinna, or both.
`
`The
`
`locations
`
`are
`
`chosen
`
`so
`
`as
`
`to overlie arteries
`
`beneath the skin,
`
`such as
`
`the occipital branch of
`
`the
`
`posterior auricular artery.
`
`20
`
`Monitoring
`
`device
`
`10
`
`comprises
`
`one
`
`or more
`
`photoplethysmographic
`
`(PPG)
`
`sensors,
`
`described further
`
`hereinbelow (Fig. 2), which are used to make oximetry
`
`measurements
`
`at
`
`the
`
`locations
`
`behind
`
`the
`
`ear.
`
`25 Additionally or alternatively, Galvanic Skin Response
`
`(GSRJ measurements may be made behind the ear by a GSR
`
`sensor comprised in monitoring device 10
`
`and described
`
`further hereinbelow.
`
`Monitoring device
`
`10
`
`also comprises
`
`an
`
`earphone
`
`30
`
`speaker
`
`16 that extends
`
`from the nmnitoring device,
`
`in
`
`front of
`
`the ear,
`
`to the ear canal,
`
`thereby enabling
`
`subject
`
`14
`
`to receive an
`
`indication of
`
`the monitored
`
`parameters,
`
`as well as audio streams,
`
`such as music or
`
`work—related communications. Monitoring device 10 may be
`
`35
`
`used While
`
`subject
`
`14
`
`is
`
`performing
`
`normal daily
`
`0009
`
`0009
`
`

`
`W0 20071013054
`
`PCTHL2006/000505
`
`activities,
`
`such as work or
`
`leisure activities. When
`
`these
`
`activities
`
`require
`
`the
`
`use
`
`of
`
`an
`
`earphone,
`
`monitoring device 10
`
`is particularly unobtrusive.
`
`For
`
`example, device 10 may be part of headset apparatus used
`
`5
`
`by a
`
`customer
`
`service representative
`
`(CSR)
`
`in a call
`
`center environment.
`
`Fig.
`
`2 is a schematic side view of monitoring device
`
`10,
`
`in accordance with an
`
`embodiment of
`
`the present
`
`invention. The monitoring device comprises
`
`a crescent-
`
`li)
`
`shaped housing 11 that fits between ear 12 and the scalp.
`
`For the sake of illustration, Fig.
`
`2 shows the front side
`
`of housing 11,
`
`to which sensors are affixed. The back
`
`side of housing ll, not shown, may mirror the design of
`
`.the front side and comprise similarly affixed sensors.
`
`15 Consequently, housing 11 may be placed behind either the
`
`left ear or the right ear of subject 14. Depending on the
`
`ear selected, one side of housing 11
`
`is in Contact with
`
`the scalp and the other
`
`side is
`
`in contact with the
`
`pinna. Alternatively, device 10 may be made with a sensor
`
`20
`
`or sensors on only one side.
`
`For
`
`the sake of
`
`illustration in the description
`
`that follows,
`
`the front side shown in Fig.
`
`2
`
`is assumed
`
`to be in contact with the subject's scalp. A PPG sensor
`
`18 is affixed to the front side in such a manner that the
`
`25
`
`sensor contacts the scalp. Sensor
`
`18 comprises one or
`
`more
`
`light
`
`sources,
`
`such
`
`as
`
`a
`
`LED
`
`19,
`
`and
`
`further
`
`comprises
`
`a
`
`light detector 20. The device housing is
`
`opaque,
`
`thereby preventing ambient
`
`light
`
`from reaching
`
`the location and interfering with the light generated by
`
`30
`
`LED
`
`19.
`
`The
`
`light generated by LED 19
`
`is
`
`sensed by
`
`detector
`
`20 after being reflected from arterial blood
`
`under
`
`the scalp,
`
`such as blood flow in the occipital
`
`branch of
`
`the posterior auricular artery.
`
`It
`
`is to be
`
`understood that
`
`this a-rtery is noted by way of example
`
`0010
`
`0010
`
`

`
`wo 2mmo13o54
`
`Pcmtzooomoosos
`
`and that another artery behind the ear may also be used
`
`for the PPG measurement.
`
`A signal,
`
`indicative of the light reflected from the
`
`arterial blood,
`
`is transmitted from detector
`
`20
`
`to a
`
`5
`
`control unit 22.
`
`Control unit
`
`22 processes
`
`the received signal
`
`in
`
`order to determine the subject's heart rate, as well as
`
`Spog variation of arterial blood over time. Based on the
`
`received signal, control unit 22 may also determine the
`
`10
`
`subject's respiratory rate, as described,
`
`for example, by
`
`Leonard et al.,
`
`in “Standard Pulse Oximeters Can Be Used
`
`to Monitor Respiratory Rate," Emergency Medicine Journal
`
`20, pages 524-525 (2003), which is incorporated herein by
`
`reference. Control unit
`
`22 may
`
`provide
`
`an
`
`audible
`
`l5
`
`indication of one or more of the determined physiological
`
`parameters,
`
`including heart
`
`rate,
`
`respiratory rate, or
`
`Spoz
`
`level
`
`to subject
`
`14 via speaker 16. The indication
`
`may,
`
`for example, be in the form of a synthesized speech
`
`signal or
`
`an alarm in case the value of
`
`a monitored
`
`parameter
`
`is
`
`outside
`
`a
`
`predetermined
`
`range.
`
`20
`
`Alternatively or additionally,
`
`the control unit transmits
`
`a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of one or more of
`
`the determined
`
`physiological
`
`parameters
`
`to
`
`an
`
`external
`
`receiver
`
`described hereinbelow (Fig. 3). To transmit
`
`the signal,
`
`25
`
`control unit 22 may utilize a transmitter 24, which may
`
`transmit
`
`by Bluetoothm wireless protocols,
`
`or
`
`by
`
`any
`
`other wireless or wired means known in the art. Power for
`
`LED 19, detector 20, control unit 22, and transmitter 24
`
`is provided by a battery 26. Control unit 22 and battery
`
`30
`
`26
`
`are
`
`typically comprised within
`
`the
`
`housing
`
`of
`
`monitoring device
`
`10
`
`and are
`
`therefore shown
`
`in the
`
`illustration within a cut—away portion of the device.
`
`Additionally
`
`or
`
`alternatively,
`
`a
`
`GSR
`
`sensor,
`
`compzrising a first ‘electrode 28
`
`and a
`
`second electrode
`
`35
`
`30, is also affixed to one or both sides of housing ll so
`
`10
`
`0011
`
`0011
`
`

`
`wo 20071013054
`
`PCT:‘lL200fi!l](}05fl5
`
`as to Contact
`
`the skin. Respective electrodes 28 and 30
`
`may be made of a conductive polymer, for example,
`
`thereby
`
`providing a good electrical contact with the scalp when
`
`the monitoring device is in place behind the ear. Control
`
`5
`
`unit 22 passes a current between electrodes 28 and 30 in
`
`order to measure skin conductance between the electrodes.
`
`As
`
`in the case of
`
`the heart rate and SP0; measurements
`
`mentioned above, control unit
`
`22 may process
`
`the GSR
`
`sensor signal
`
`in order
`
`to determine a level of stress
`
`10
`
`and/or exertion and may give
`
`the subject
`
`an audible
`
`indication of the level via speaker 16. Alternatively or
`
`additionally,
`
`the
`
`control
`
`unit
`
`transmits
`
`a
`
`signal
`
`indicative
`
`of
`
`the
`
`skin
`
`conductance
`
`to an
`
`external
`
`receiver described hereinbelow (Fig. 3). To transmit
`
`the
`
`15
`
`signal, control unit 22 may utilize transmitter 24.
`
`In some
`
`embodiments of
`
`the present.
`
`invention,
`
`the
`
`PPG and GSR measurements described above may be taken at
`
`the back of
`
`the pinna of ear
`
`l2 by sensors on the back
`
`side of housing 11 (not shown),
`
`instead of or in addition
`
`20
`
`to the nmasurements made on the scalp. Measurements of
`
`physiological parameters at both the scalp and the back
`lof
`the pinna may" be made simultaneously by respective
`
`sensors
`
`on
`
`each of
`
`the
`
`front
`
`and back sides of
`
`the
`
`housing. Circuitry in the housing,
`
`such as control unit
`
`25
`
`22, may be configured to determine which of the scalp and
`
`ear
`
`locations provides
`
`a better
`
`signal—to—noise
`
`ratio
`
`(SNR). The parameters measured at
`
`the location with the
`
`better SNR may then be selected for further processing
`
`and transmission, as described below. Alternatively,
`
`the
`
`30 measurements may be averaged, or other selection criteria
`
`may be applied.
`
`Fig.
`
`3
`
`is a schematic, pictorial
`
`illustration of
`
`a
`
`system for monitoring
`
`physiological
`
`parameters,
`
`in
`
`accordance-with an embodiment of
`
`the present
`
`invention.
`
`35 While subject
`
`14 has device l0 in place behind his ear,
`
`11
`
`0012
`
`0012
`
`

`
`wo 20071013054
`
`PCT:‘lL200fi!l](}05fl5
`
`he may
`
`perform normal
`
`daily
`
`activities,
`
`including
`
`activities related to his work or leisure.
`
`PPG and
`
`skin conductance
`
`data
`
`transmitted from
`
`monitoring device 10 may be used to determine a level of
`
`5
`
`subject stress and changes
`
`in that
`
`level.
`
`Indicators of
`
`stress are,
`
`for example,
`
`increased heart rate,
`
`increased
`
`respiratory rate,
`
`and
`
`increased skin conductance.
`
`To
`
`report stress level, monitoring device 10 may transmit
`
`physiological data to a receiving device such as
`
`a cell
`
`10
`
`phone,
`
`or
`
`a
`
`personal
`
`computer
`
`(PC)
`
`32.
`
`PC
`
`32
`
`configured
`
`to
`
`receive
`
`the
`
`signal
`
`transmitted
`
`is
`
`by
`
`transmitter 24 by wireless or wired means. when wireless
`
`means,
`
`such as Bluetooth transmission, are utilized,
`
`PC
`
`32 may receive such transmission by means of an antenna
`
`15
`
`38. The PC may also return an audio signal
`
`to be played
`
`through earphone speaker 16.
`
`The calculation of stress level
`
`from physiological
`
`parameters may be determined by device 10 or by PC 32.
`
`The PC may be configured to display a stress level to the
`
`20
`
`subject. Alternatively,
`
`or
`
`additionally,
`
`PC
`
`32,
`
`or
`
`another receiving device,
`
`such as
`
`a cell phone, may be
`
`configured to transmit physiological parameters over
`
`a
`
`data network 34,
`
`to a monitoring center 36, which may be
`
`maintained by a health care provider or by the subject's
`
`25
`
`employer,
`
`for
`
`example.
`
`The monitoring center may
`
`be
`
`programmed to automatically notify the subject and other
`
`concerned parties,
`
`such as the subject’s doctor or work
`
`supervisor, if changes in the level of stress, or changes
`
`in other physiological indicators, warrant intervention.
`
`30
`
`Although
`
`the
`
`embodiments
`
`described above
`
`relate
`
`specifically to the measurement of heart
`
`rate,
`
`SPD2,
`
`respiratory rate, and skin conductance,
`
`the principles of
`
`the present
`
`invention may also be applied to other types
`
`of measurements. indicative
`
`of
`
`subject well—being or
`
`35
`
`stress.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`although
`
`these
`
`embodiments make
`
`12
`
`0013
`
`0013
`
`

`
`W0 2007»""l3"5-1
`
`PCTJ'IL2fl06f0lll]5[|5
`
`reference to certain types of active life settings and
`
`signaling methods,
`
`the
`
`principles
`
`of
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention may likewise be applied in the context of other
`
`environments and other communications technologies.
`
`5
`
`It will
`
`thus
`
`be
`
`appreciated
`
`that
`
`embodiments
`
`described above are cited by way of example, and that the
`
`present
`
`invention is
`
`not
`
`limited to what
`
`has
`
`been
`
`particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather,
`
`the
`
`scope of the present invention includes both combinations
`
`10
`
`and subcombinations of
`
`the various
`
`features described
`
`hereinabove,
`
`as well
`
`as variations
`
`and modifications
`
`thereof which would occur
`
`to persons skilled in the art
`
`upon reading the foregoing description and which are not
`
`disclosed in the prior art.
`
`13
`
`0014
`
`0014
`
`

`
`W0 2007:'|ll3||5-I
`
`PCTJ'IL2fl06f0lll]5[|5
`
`CLAIMS
`
`1.
`
`B.physiological monitoring device, comprising:
`
`a device housing shaped to fit behind an ear of
`
`a
`
`subject;
`
`a sensor attached to the device housing so as
`
`to
`
`sense a physiological characteristic of the subject at a
`
`location behind the ear; and
`
`an
`
`earphone
`
`speaker
`
`extending
`
`from the
`
`device
`
`housing towards an ear canal of the subject and operative
`
`10
`
`to provide
`
`an
`
`audible
`
`communication
`
`to the
`
`subject
`
`responsively to the physiological characteristic.
`
`2.
`
`The device of claim 1, wherein the location is on at
`
`least one of
`
`a scalp of the subject and a pinna of
`
`the
`
`subject.
`
`15
`
`3.
`
`The
`
`device
`
`of
`
`claim 2,
`
`wherein
`
`the
`
`sensor
`
`is
`
`operative to sense the physiological characteristic on
`
`both the scalp and the pinna of the subject.
`
`4.
`
`The device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the sensor
`
`comprises
`
`a photoplethysmographic {PPG) probe,
`
`‘which is
`
`adapted to sense a characteristic of arterial blood flow.
`
`5.
`
`The device of claim 4, wherein the characteristic of
`
`arterial blood flow comprises at least one of heart rate,
`
`blood oxygen saturation (Sp0;}, and respiration rate.
`
`6.
`
`The device of any of claims 1~3, wherein the sensor
`
`comprises a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR} sensor operative
`
`to sense a characteristic of skin.
`
`?.
`
`The device of
`
`claim 6, wherein
`
`the GSR
`
`sensor
`
`comprises two electrodes,
`
`which are positioned so as to
`
`contact the skin.
`
`8.
`
`The device of any of claims 1-3, and comprising a
`
`.control unit, which is housed in the device housing and
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`
`
`14
`
`0015
`
`0015
`
`

`
`wo 2uu7m13o54
`
`PCT!IL2006r'000505
`
`is operative to calculate a
`
`level of
`
`stress of
`
`the
`
`subject responsively to the physiological characteristic.
`
`9.
`
`The device of any of claims 1-3,
`
`and comprising a
`
`transmitter, which is housed in the device housing and is
`
`5
`
`operative to transmit
`
`to an external receiver
`
`a signal
`
`indicative of the physiological characteristic.
`
`10.
`
`The
`
`device
`
`of
`
`any of
`
`claims
`
`1-3, wherein
`
`the
`
`earphone speaker
`
`is operative to play at
`
`least one of
`
`music and work—related communications.
`
`10
`
`11.
`
`A system for monitoring physiological parameters,
`
`comprising:
`
`a physiological monitoring device, comprising:
`
`a device housing shaped to fit behind an ear of
`
`a subject;
`
`15
`
`a sensor attached to the device housing so as
`
`to
`
`sense
`
`a physiological characteristic
`
`of
`
`the
`
`subject at a location behind the ear;
`
`an earphone speaker extending froni
`
`the device
`
`housing towards
`
`an ear canal of
`
`the subject
`
`and
`
`20
`
`operative to provide an audible communication to the
`
`subject; and
`
`a transmitter housed in the device housing and
`
`operative to transmit
`
`a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of
`
`the
`
`physiological characteristic: and
`
`25
`
`a receiving device, separate from the physiological
`
`monitoring device and operative to receive and. process
`
`the signal.
`
`12.
`
`The system of claim 11, wherein the receiving device
`
`is
`
`operative
`
`to
`
`transmit
`
`an
`
`indication
`
`of
`
`the
`
`30
`
`physiological characteristic over a communication network
`
`to a monitoring center.
`
`13.
`The system of claim 11, wherein the receiving device
`is operative to transmit an audio signal to he played by
`
`the earphone speaker.
`
`15
`
`0016
`
`0016
`
`

`
`W0 2007»""l3"5-1
`
`PCTJ'IL2fl06f0lll]5[|5
`
`14.
`
`The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the indication
`
`of
`
`the physiological characteristic is an indicator of
`
`StI13SB.
`
`15.
`
`The
`
`system of
`
`claim 11
`
`or
`
`12, wherein
`
`the
`
`5
`
`physiological monitoring
`
`device
`
`is
`
`comprised
`
`in
`
`a
`
`communication headset used by the subject in wcrk—related
`
`communications.
`
`16.
`
`A method
`
`for monitoring physiological parameters
`
`comprising:
`
`10
`
`fitting a physiological monitoring device behind an
`
`ear of a subject
`
`in such a manner that a sensor attached
`
`to the device housing is positioned at a location behind
`
`the ear of the subject;
`
`sensing a physiological characteristic using the
`
`15
`
`sensor on the location; and
`
`responsively to the physiological characteristic,
`
`providing an audible communication through an earphone
`
`speaker attached to the housing and extending towards an
`
`ear canal of the subject.
`
`20
`
`17.
`
`The method of claim 16, wherein the location is on
`
`at least one of a scalp of the subject and a pinna of the
`
`subject.
`
`18.
`
`The method
`
`of
`
`claim 17, wherein the
`
`sensor
`
`is
`
`operative to sense the physiological characteristic on
`
`25
`
`both the scalp and the pinna of the subject.
`
`19.
`
`The method according to any of Claims 16-18, wherein
`
`the sensor comprises a photoplethysmographic (PPG) probe,
`
`and wherein
`
`sensing the physiological characteristic
`
`comprises sensing a characteristic of arterial blood flow
`
`30
`
`using the PPG probe.
`
`20.
`
`The method of
`
`any of claims
`
`16-18, wherein the
`
`sensor comprises a.Ga1vanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor,
`
`wherein the GSR sensor
`
`comprises
`
`two electrodes,
`
`and
`
`16
`
`0017
`
`0017
`
`

`
`W0 2007»""l3"5-1
`
`PCTJ'IL2fl06f0lll]5[|5
`
`wherein
`
`sensing
`
`the
`
`physiological
`
`characteristic
`
`comprises applying a voltage between the two electrodes
`
`and measuring a current generated through the scalp.
`
`21.
`
`The method of
`
`any of claims 16-18,
`
`and comprising
`
`5
`
`calculating a level of stress of the subject responsively
`
`to the physiological characteristic.
`
`22.
`
`The method of any of claims 16-18,
`
`and comprising
`
`transmitting a
`
`signal
`
`indicative of
`
`the physiological
`
`characteristic from.
`
`the physiological monitoring device
`
`10
`
`to an external receiving device.
`
`23.
`
`The method of claim 22, and comprising transmitting
`
`an indication of
`
`the physiological characteristic from
`
`the receiving device over
`
`a communication network to a
`
`monitoring center.
`
`15
`
`24.
`
`The method of any of claims 16-18,
`
`and comprising
`
`playing from the earphone speaker at
`
`least one of music
`
`and work—related communications.
`
`17
`
`0018
`
`0018
`
`

`
`W0 200?‘/01305-I»
`
`PCT.-’IL2(I{l6f0[}ll5[}5
`
`9100
`
`0019
`
`
`

`
`W0 200? 01305-I
`
`212
`
` DATANETWQPBK
`
`FIG.3
`
`
`
`0020
`
`

`
`
`
`
` A.
`
`
`IPC:
`
`CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
`ASIB 5mIJ( 2005.01}
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`I""°""‘“°““l ‘“"’“°““°'T ”°'
`PCTIJLOGIOOSDS
`
`
`USPC:
`6GDJ'300,3D1,306.323,5U7
`
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`
`
`
`
`B.
`
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched {classification system followed by classification symbols)
`U.S. : 500/300,301,306, 323,500,507
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such docurnentts are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where pmcticable, search terms used)
`
`C.
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED "£0 BE‘. RELEVANI‘
`
`X
`—--
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, ofthe relevant passages
`US 5,971,931 A (RAFF) 26 October 1999 (25.10.1999), figs. 2 & 3; col. 2, line 1(}~col. 3,
`line 9.
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`11,1345
`—-~—--——
`1-1o,12,15-24
`
`US 5,371,134 A (RICHARDSON) 13 December 1994 (13.12.1994), figs. 1-2; col. 4, lines [-
`30.
`
`US 6,030,110 A (THORGERSEN) 3'! June 2000 {2'.7.06.2flUD), entire document
`
`
`
`El Further documents are listed in the ocntinuation ofBox C. El
`”
`Special calegnries ofcited dccumellls:
`"T"
`
`"A"
`
`"B"
`"l."‘
`
`"0"
`
`