(72)
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Zhao et al.
`(54) DATA ACQUISITION QUALITY AND DATA
`FUSION FOR PERSONAL PORTABLE
`WIRELESS VITAL SIGNS SCANNER
`(71) Applicant: SCANADU INCORPORATED,
`Moffett Field, CA (US)
`Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Mountain View, CA (US);
`Brandon Dennis Woolsey, San Jose,
`CA (US); Walter De Brouwer, Los
`Altos, CA (US); Eron Anthony
`Villarreal, San Jose, CA (US);
`Whitney Morgan McGowan, San Jose,
`CA (US); Martin Zizi, Enines (BE)
`(73) Assignee: Scanadu, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
`( * ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 168 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/292,814
`May 30, 2014
`(22) Filed:
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/875,681, filed on Sep.
`9, 2013, provisional application No. 61/924,230, filed
`on Jan. 6, 2014.
`Int. Cl.
`A61B 5/11
`(2006.01)
`A61B 5/00
`(2006.01)
`A61B 5/0205
`(2006.01)
`A61B 5/0295
`(2006.01)
`A61B 5/0402
`(2006.01)
`A61B 5/1455
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ....... A61B 5/7282 (2013.01); A61B 5/02055
`(2013.01); A61B 5/0295 (2013.01); A61B
`5/0402 (2013.01); A61B 5/14551 (2013.01);
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`US009808206B1
`(io) Patent No.:
`US 9,808,206 B1
`Nov. 7, 2017
`(45) Date of Patent:
`A61B 5/7221 (2013.01); A61B 5/742
`(2013.01); A61B 5/7405 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ............ A61B 19/2203; A61B 19/5212; A61B
`2019/2223; A61B 5/72; A61B 6/5258;
`A61B 5/11; A61B 5/1107; A61B 5/1118;
`A61B 5/113; A61B 5/1135
`USPC ........................................... 600/534, 536, 595
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9,451,886 B2 *
`9/2016 Teixeira ............... A6IB 5/0205
`9,504,391 B2 * 11/2016 Zhang ................ A61B 5/02125
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Michael Carey
`Assistant Examiner — Natasha Patel
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Alford Law Group, Inc.;
`Andy Pho
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`In one embodiment of the invention, an interactive vital
`signs scanning method is disclosed including concurrently
`scanning for a plurality of vital signs with a portable vital
`signs scanner; detecting movement of the portable vital
`signs scanner during the scanning for the plurality of vital
`signs; and determining a measure of quality of the scanning
`for the plurality of vital signs with the portable vital signs
`scanner. In another embodiment, a method of improving the
`quality of vital signs data is disclosed including concurrently
`sensing data from a plurality of vital signs sensors over a
`period of time with a portable vital signs scanner; determin­
`ing a plurality of vital sign values for a respective plurality
`of vital signs in response to the sensed data from the
`plurality of vital signs sensors over the period of time; and
`fusing at least two vital sign values of the plurality of vital
`sign values for the respective plurality of vital signs.
`21 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`FUSION PROCESS
`
`— 1220
`
`APPLE 1032
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 9,808,206 B1
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2004/0138716 A1 *
`7/2004 Kon .................... A61N 1/36557
`607/17
`2005/0209516 A1 *
`9/2005 Fraden ................ A61B 5/02055
`600/323
`2012/0179011 A l*
`7/2012 Moon ................... A6 IB 5/7207
`600/324
`2013/0116520 A l*
`5/2013 Roham ................ A6IB 5/6833
`600/324
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`FIG.1B
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`FIG.1E
`
`FIG.1F
`
`FIG.1G
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 27
`Sheet 4 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`104
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 5 of 27
`Sheet 5 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 27
`Sheet 6 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 7, 2017
`Nov. 7, 2017
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 7, 2017
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`Sheet 8 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
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`Sheet 9 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`FIG.4A
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 10 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`FIG. 5A
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`FIG. 5B
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 11 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
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`FIG. 5C
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 12 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
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`FIG. 6A
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
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`Sheet 13 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`FIG. 6C
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 7, 2017
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`Nov. 7, 2017
`Nov. 7, 2017
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 7,2017
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`Sheet 16 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`Nov. 7,2017
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`Nov. 7, 2017
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7, 2017
`
`Sheet 20 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7,2017
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`Sheet 21 of 27
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 7, 2017
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`Sheet 22 of 27
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`Nov. 7,2017
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`Nov. 7,2017
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 7,2017
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`Sheet 25 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7,2017
`
`Sheet 26 of 27
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`US 9,808,206 B1
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`1657B
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 7,2017
`
`Sheet 27 of 27
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`
`FIG. 17C
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`

`

`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`US 9,808,206 B1
`1
`2
`DATA ACQUISITION QUALITY AND DATA
`condition based on an annual exam but the data may be
`FUSION FOR PERSONAL PORTABLE
`outdated and useless with a current medical condition.
`WIRELESS VITAL SIGNS SCANNER
`As a result, the average consumer may not receive the best
`medical care due to the lack of information. And together,
`with PCPs, we also manage to add more cost to the health­
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`care system that is already very expensive as people live
`longer.
`This non-provisional patent application claims priority to
`The problem, simply put, is that consumer access to basic
`U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/875,681; entitled
`health care is rather limited. It is desirable to improve the
`SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR PER­
`quality and access to basic health care for average consum­
`SONAL PORTABLE WIRELESS VITAL SIGNS SCAN­
`ers.
`NER filed by inventors Wenyi Zhao et al., on Sep. 9, 2013;
`and U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/924,230;
`entitled DATA ACQUISITION QUALITY AND DATA
`FUSION FOR PERSONAL PORTABLE WIRELESS
`VITAL SIGNS SCANNER filed by inventors Wenyi Zhao et
`al., on Jan. 6, 2014; both of which are incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention generally relates to vital signs scanning
`with a portable device having multiple integrated vital sign
`sensors.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Healthcare is a key element of any modem society. Over
`the years, it has brought people the benefit of the latest
`technological breakthroughs that are safeguarded by well-
`established regulatory process. The practice of medical
`practitioners has also evolved into highly specialized fields
`and sub fields. One of the most important aspects of medicine
`is preventive care. A significant portion of healthcare costs
`could be reduced if ailments are diagnosed early. Yet many
`of the tools to diagnose early symptoms are unavailable to
`the average consumer.
`Vital signs of one’s body, such as temperature for
`example, form the base map of ones health. Fluctuations in
`our vital signs may be predictive of undiagnosed ailments.
`It’s important to have easy access to their vital signs as
`frequently as needed. Yet the average consumer has no easy
`method of obtaining many of their vital signs without
`visiting a hospital or clinic. One of the easiest-to-measure
`vital signs is body temperature. Consumers are able to
`measure body temperature at home with an inexpensive
`home thermometer. However the average consumer still
`does not have easy access to devices for measuring the other
`important vital signs of ones body, such as blood oxygen­
`ation or blood pressure for example. The technology is
`available to measure the important vital signs, but typically
`limited to clinics and hospitals.
`Consumers do not have a way to measure all of their
`important vital signs at home. Consumers cannot visit their
`physician five or more times a day to constantly monitor
`their vital signs. This has put the average consumer with a
`medical condition into a difficult situation, where they do not
`know what to do with their condition when they need vital
`signs information while at home or traveling. The few
`options the average consumer has with an unknown medical
`condition include staying calm and doing nothing, calling
`their primary care providers (PCP) to get an appointment, or
`visiting an emergency room (ER) and waiting for hours.
`Even if the consumer opted to do one of the latter options,
`the PCP or ER may not be able to provide personalized
`advice without knowing the specifics about their patients.
`The physician may have some idea about one’s health
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The embodiments of the invention are best summarized
`by the claims below. Insofar as a summary is required, one
`embodiment of the invention can be described as a portable
`vital signs scanner with an interactive user interface to
`improve scan data quality.
`This summary is provided to efficiently present the gen­
`eral concept of one or more embodiments of the invention
`and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the
`claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
`present disclosure will now be described with reference to
`the drawings of embodiments, which embodiments are
`intended to illustrate and not to limit the disclosure, as are
`described in varying degrees of detail below.
`FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary vital signs
`scanning system with the scanner held at the forehead/
`temple.
`FIG. IB is a perspective view of a user squeezing the
`exemplary vital signs scanner.
`FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a portable wireless
`multifunctional device with a scan screen of a vital signs
`scanning user interface.
`FIG. ID is another diagram illustrating an exemplary vital
`signs scanning system with the scanner held at a chest
`position.
`FIGS. 1E-1F are diagrams illustrating how microphones
`of the exemplary vital signs scanner can capture body
`sounds, such as from a user’s heart or lung.
`FIG. 1G is another diagram illustrating an exemplary vital
`signs scanning system with the scanner held in fingers of
`each hand.
`FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary portable wireless mul­
`tifunction device to execute the vital signs scanning appli­
`cation.
`FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic representation of the
`components of the portable wireless multifunctional device.
`FIG. 3A is an exemplary health status window displayed
`on the portable wireless multifunctional device by the vital
`signs scanning user interface (VSUI).
`FIG. 3B is an exemplary scan results window displayed
`on the portable wireless multifunctional device by the vital
`signs scanning user interface.
`FIG. 3C illustrates exemplary slide windows generated on
`the portable wireless multifunctional device by the vital
`signs scanning user interface.
`FIG. 3D illustrates an exemplary second scan selection
`window of the vital signs scanning application on the
`portable wireless device.
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`FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a temperature averaging window
`For purpose of efficiency, reference numbers may be
`repeated between the figures where they are intended to
`generated in a touch screen of the portable wireless multi­
`represent similar features between otherwise varied embodi­
`function device by the vital signs scanning software appli­
`ments, though those features may also incorporate certain
`cation.
`differences between embodiments if and to the extent speci­
`FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate prognosis windows for vital signs
`fied as such or otherwise apparent to one of ordinary skill
`in a touch screen of the portable wireless multifunction
`(such as differences clearly shown between them in the
`device.
`respective figures).
`FIGS. 6A-6B are perspective views of an embodiment of
`It is desirable for consumers to take greater control of
`the invention.
`their own basic health and work with their primary care
`FIGS. 6C-6D are perspective views of another embodi­
`providers (PCPs) to provide personalized healthcare. Some
`ment of the invention.
`embodiments of the invention provide a consumer device
`FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the exemplary portable
`that is small enough to be carried in a pocket or purse with
`wireless vital signs scanner.
`which effortless vital signs scans can be performed, anytime,
`FIG. 7B illustrates a partially assembled exemplary por­
`anywhere. The consumer device, referred to as a vital signs
`table wireless vital signs scanner.
`scanner, can transfer the vital signs results to a portable
`FIG. 8A illustrates a functional block diagram of elec­
`wireless multifunction device, such as a smartphone, for
`tronic circuitry within the exemplary portable wireless vital
`storage and display to a user over time to illustrate health
`signs scanner.
`trends. The vital signs scanner allows consumers to take
`FIG. 8B illustrates a main printed circuit board coupled to
`greater control of their own basic health and work with PCPs
`a daughter printed circuit board with various electronic
`to provide personalized healthcare.
`circuitry within the exemplary portable wireless vital signs
`The vital signs scanner allows users to efficiently measure
`scanner mounted to each.
`multiple vital signs simultaneously. Vital signs scanning
`FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary hierarchy of the vita signs
`with the vital signs scanner is quick and easy and very
`graphical user interface provided by the vital signs scanning
`convenient in that it can simultaneously capture a plurality
`software application executed by the personal wireless mul­
`of vita signs data with one scanning session (one or two vital
`tifunction device.
`signs scans) at a given time and date. The vital signs data is
`FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate diagrams of sources of move­
`transferred to a user’s own portable multifunction touch
`ment of the vital signs scanner that can degrade data capture.
`screen device, e.g. a smart phone. The portable multifunc­
`FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate diagrams of sources of various
`tion device, with the assistance of vital signs scanning
`degraded quality in the capture of vital signs data by the vital
`software, displays the scanning results in an intuitive user
`signs scanner.
`interface that is simple to understand.
`FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of the
`The vital signs scanning device provides a method of vital
`interactive scanning system.
`signs scanning to help solve the missing information link so
`FIGS. 13A-13B illustrates exemplary graphs of determin­
`a user can take control of managing his/her own health. In
`ing quality of vital signs data within an expected range.
`addition to providing vital signs scanning, the vital signs
`FIG. 14A illustrates exemplary graphs of forming an
`scanner and system also stores the users vital signs mea­
`envelope curve of vital signs data.
`surements and trends over time of a day and date. The vital
`FIG. 14B illustrates an exemplary graph of determining
`signs scanner and system provides easy access (almost
`quality of vital signs data with a pair of threshold levels.
`anywhere at anytime) to important vital signs measurements
`FIG. 15A illustrates a functional block diagram of the
`such as blood oxygenation, blood pressure, heart rate, etc.
`interactive scanning process and user feedback (feedback to
`The vital signs scanner and system can help share up-to-date
`the user from the scanner and/or portable wireless device)
`vital signs data with a user’s PCP for better diagnosis of
`when remaining in the same scan state.
`medical conditions. Perhaps even more importantly, sharing
`FIG. 15B illustrates a functional block diagram of the
`of history and trends of vital signs data before and after an
`interactive scanning process and user feedback (feedback to
`ailment with the user’s PCP can provide clues to its cause
`the user from the scanner and/or portable wireless device)
`and not just indicate the symptoms.
`when transitioning to a different scan state.
`The personal wireless vital signs scanner combines aes­
`FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block diagram of the
`thetic design with functionality. The personal wireless vital
`methods of data fusion for improving vital sign measure­
`signs scanner is light weight and easily fits into one hand.
`ment quality.
`The personal wireless vital signs scanner can be held and
`FIGS. 17A-17C illustrates exemplary graphs to confirm
`operated with just two fingers of one hand. The user’s other
`the quality of vital signs data with an expected curve.
`hand is free to hold a smartphone with a vital signs scanning
`application running to control the vital signs scanning pro­
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`cess and view the scanning results. Vital signs data of a users
`body can change at different times of each day. The personal
`Many alternative embodiments of the present aspects may
`wireless vital signs scanner is so small, light, and estheti-
`be appropriate and are contemplated, including as described
`cally pleasing that a user may desire to take it with them to
`in these detailed embodiments, though also including alter­
`perform a plurality of vital signs scans at different times
`natives that may not be expressly shown or described herein
`throughout his/her day over a plurality of days.
`but as obvious variants or obviously contemplated according
`to one of ordinary skill based on reviewing the totality of this
`The vital signs scanner may fuse data together from
`disclosure in combination with other available information.
`various data sources, referred to as a fusion process, in
`For example, it is contemplated that features shown and
`different ways in order to increase measurement accuracy,
`described with respect to one or more particular embodi­
`increase quality control of data acquisition, and/or provide
`ments may also be included in combination with another
`additional information to a user. The data that may be fused
`embodiment even though not expressly shown and described
`together includes concurrent information or data streams
`in that specific combination.
`originating from different sensors in the vital signs scanner;
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`different information in a data stream originating from the
`[doi:10.1063/l.1769941]; U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,471; U.S. Pat.
`same sensor; information in an internal data stream from a
`No. 5,934,277; U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,148; U.S. Pat. No.
`sensor in the vital signs scanner and external generated data,
`5,351,685; U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,381; U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,353;
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,242; U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,631; U.S. Pat.
`such as data originating from a user’s input, biometrics or
`one or more databases; or any combination thereof. To
`No. 4,796,636; U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,080; U.S. Pat. No.
`facilitate the fusion process, the data streams may be split,
`4,623,248; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,554.
`independently processed in parallel, and recombined or
`Integration of multiple sensors and scan quality algo­
`compared against each other depending on the needs for the
`rithms make it possible to monitor the quality of the scan­
`information. For example, a fusion process may involve
`ning process and then provide feedback to the user to control
`comparing scan data in independent data streams from a
`the interactive scanning process and provide a good user
`plurality of sensors to cross-validate the quality of their scan
`experience in the vital signs scanning process. As used
`data.
`herein, user feedback means feedback provided by the
`scanner and/or portable wireless device through the user
`A portable vital signs scanner and system may prove to be
`interface or otherwise to the user, including any scan quality
`useful for healthcare professionals as well. For example,
`feedback that is provided to the user. User input means any
`patients could scan for their own vital signs themselves in a
`input that a user provides to the scanner and/or portable
`busy hospital, clinic or doctors office, rather than wait in
`wireless device.
`long lines just to get a simple checkup before seeing the
`doctor. The patients scans are then uploaded to a server at the
`The wireless vital signs scanner 102 may perform vital
`hospital, clinic, or office. With these self-obtained vital signs
`signs scans and display the results in under a minute.
`scans of patients being uploaded to a server, medical assis­
`Generally scans may be completed in approximately ten
`tants and nurses, ordinarily checking for vital signs, can
`seconds. The length of a scanning session may depend on the
`better spend their time curing the ailments of the patients.
`user’s ability to correctly utilize the scanner 102. For
`The self-obtained vital signs scans of patients may also
`example, if the user moves too much during the scanning
`serve to triage the patients that are waiting for medical care.
`session, the session will last longer as the device 104
`For example, a self-obtained vital signs scan of a patient
`prompts the user to remain still.
`indicating an elevated or irregular heart rate may signal
`Different types of scans may also take different lengths of
`hospital staff to attend to this patient immediately or at least
`time. For example, in a standard ten second head scan where
`a higher priority in a queue of patients. In this manner, the
`the scanner is held against a user’s forehead or temple
`self-obtained vital signs scans of patients provide a clinic
`(forehead/temple), temperature, Sp02, ECG, heart rate, and
`staff with a sense of the severity of the condition of patients
`blood pressure may be measured. For a thirty (30) second
`waiting and can make appropriate schedule priority adjust­
`extended head scan, vital signs such as blood pressure and
`ments, if needed.
`heart rate variability (related to emotional stress) may be
`captured. For a thirty second chest scan from a user’s chest,
`Referring now to FIG. 1A, a diagram illustrating a vital
`respiration rate and body sounds may be measured or
`signs scanning system 100 is shown. The scanning system
`collected. In any case, the scanning sessions are still short
`100 includes a portable wireless vital signs scanner 102 and
`and convenient.
`a portable wireless multifunction device 104 in wireless
`communication with each other over a wireless communi­
`Short scanning sessions have several advantages. A short
`cation channel 103 A. The vital signs scanner 102 includes a
`scanning session allows a user to take a quick break from
`plurality of sensors designed to read vital signs from a user’s
`their daily activities to perform a scan anywhere and at any
`body 101. An instance or snap shot of vital signs, such as
`time. The ease and rapidness of performing a vital signs scan
`temperature, heart rate, blood oxygenation (Sp02), electro­
`will encourage users to perform the scan multiple times a
`cardiogram (ECG), and possibly stress levels, all synchro­
`day, providing more complete and accurate trending data.
`nously measured, can be reported to the device 104 by the
`The invention provides a consumer oriented scanner that a
`scanner 102 in less than a minute. Exemplary methods and
`user can use anytime anywhere to obtain multiple vital sign
`algorithms for determining one or more of these vital signs
`measurements in seconds.
`from the sensor data are described in International Applica­
`Short scanning sessions also conserve power. With ten
`tion No. PCT/US2013/061046, filed by Scanadu Corpora­
`second scans, the scanner may last approximately one week
`tion on 19 Oct. 2012, having international publication no.
`under normal usage with one full battery charge. If the
`WO 2013/066642, entitled AUTOMATED PERSONAL
`power is on for a total of about 30 seconds for each scan,
`MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, METHOD, AND
`then total power-on time for each day is less than one hour
`ARRANGEMENT, claiming priority to U.S. Patent No.
`with 100 scans per day. In this case, the scanner 102 may
`61/549,134 filed on 19 Oct. 2011, and is hereby incorporated
`operate for a week at a time between battery recharging
`by reference.
`sessions.
`The algorithms and processes disclosed in International
`Scanner 102 is an elegant consumer device that is por­
`Application No. PCT/US2013/061046 are based upon one
`table. Unlike other vital sign monitors, scanner 102 does not
`or more of the following references (all of which are
`need to be worn. Scanner 102 is perhaps the smallest
`incorporated herein in their entirety): Pulse transit time: an
`consumer device that can measure multiple vital signs
`appraisal of potential clinical applications, Thorax 1999;
`simultaneously. Measuring approximately 60 mm in diam­
`54:452-457 [doi:10.1136/thx.54.5.452] [http://thorax.bmj,
`eter and 18 mm high, the scanner 102 can be easily places
`in a pocket or purse for use at any time convenient to the
`com/contentl54/5/452.full]; U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,054; U.S.
`user. At any time the user has a moment to spare, the scanner
`Pat. No. 6,527,728; U.S. Publication No. 2007/0276632; and
`102 may be used to obtain multiple vital sign measurements
`U.S. Publication No. 2003/0199771; Severinghaus, John W.,
`by simply finger-holding it against the user’s forehead/
`Honda Yoshiyuki (April 1987), “History of Blood Gas
`temple, and/or chest.
`Analysis. VII. Pulse Oximetry”, Journal of Clinical Moni­
`Using a multifunction device 104 to display the vital signs
`toring # (2): 135-138; Millikan G. A. (1942). “The oximeter:
`an instrument for measuring continuously oxygen-saturation
`scanning results allows the scanner 102 to maintain a
`of arterial blood in man”, Rev. Sci.Instrum 13 (10): 434-44
`compact size and minimalist form. Multifunction device 104
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`user to perform a better vital signs scan with the wireless
`may be any portable wireless multifunction device such as
`vital signs scanner and acquire good quality vital signs
`a smartphone, tablet PC, or the so called smart watches.
`measurements.
`Generally these devices are pre-owned and already available
`Integration of multiple sensors allows for synergistic
`to the average consumer, so utilizing the display capabilities
`accuracy of vital signs scans. For example, integration of an
`of multifunction device 104 does not detract from the
`accelerometer enables motion detection that is often asso­
`portability of the invention. The ubiquity of smartphones
`ciated with poor signals of pulse oximetry and ECG. In
`also means that the average consumer does not need to pay
`another example, abnormal signals of both pulse oximetry
`more for a dedicated display device. Combining the vital
`and ECG suggest the device is not held against the body
`signs scanner 102 with, a smartphone that a user already has,
`properly. This can be further confirmed by comparing the
`allows one to take control and greater responsibility for
`surface temperature and ambient temperature of the sensor
`his/her health without sacrificing valuable time and money.
`when not in touch with the user.
`To display the vital signs scanning results, the portable
`Quality checking of individual vital sign measurements is
`wireless digital device 104 executes a vital signs scanning
`based on fusion of data from multiple differing sensors,
`software application 140. The instructions of the vital signs
`including a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer. Signal
`scanning software application 140 are executable with the
`quality may be checked based on dynamic range detection
`operating system, (e.g., Android and iOS), of the multifunc­
`and thresholding, for example. To make the process more
`tion device 104. Once the software application is active, the
`robust, known signal processing techniques, such as enve­
`user may power up the vital signs scanner 102. Upon power
`lope detection, can be applied to the raw signals from the
`up, the vital signs scanner 102 is paired with the portable
`sensors as a preprocessing or screening step. Quality check­
`wireless digital device 104 to form the communication
`ing of raw sensor signals from the sensors makes sensor data
`channel 103A between them. Accordingly, each of the
`fusion more robust by rejecting bad signals. Thus, fusing
`results of multiple sensors can provide better individual
`scanner 102 and multifunction device 104 has a compatible
`measurements of each vital sign.
`wireless radio to form a compatible wireless communication
`The intuitive scanning user interface (UI) is designed, in
`channel. In one embodiment, the communication channel
`combination with scan quality algorithms and the device’s
`103A is a Bluetooth version 4, a smart low energy (LE)
`self-diagnostic capability, to help users to finish a vital signs
`supported channel that each wireless radio supports. The
`scan successfully. There is the quality indicator from the
`vital signs scanner 102 sends the vital sign information
`quality algorithm, the progress bar, and texts that prov