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`US 20090149767Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Rossetti
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0149767 Al
`Jun. 11, 2009
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM FOR DETECTION AND
`PROCESSING OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS
`OF HUMAN BODY AND METHOD THEREOF
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Walter Rossetti, Milano (IT)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`DAVID A. GUERRA
`INTERNATIONAL PATENT GROUP, LLC
`202517THAVENUE N.W.
`CALGARY, AB T2M 0S7 (CA)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/719,870
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Nov. 28, 2005
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /IT2005/000696
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), ( 4) Date:
`
`May 22, 2007
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 30, 2004
`
`(IT) ......................... MI2004A 002305
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A61B 510408
`(2006.01)
`H04M 1100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................................... 600/522; 455/556.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`What is disclosed is a system and a method for the detection
`and processing of physical parameters of the human body,
`which comprises a plurality of sensors which can be applied
`to the skin of a subject. Said system comprises at least an
`interface circuit for the processing of the signals coming from
`said sensors and at least a reception/transmission circuit for
`the transmission of the signals processed by the interface
`circuit.
`
`21
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`11
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`10
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`s
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`1
`
`APPLE 1019
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 11, 2009 Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 2009/0149767 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 11, 2009 Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 2009/0149767 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 11, 2009 Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 2009/0149767 Al
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`.,.----20
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`Fig. 4
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`Vl
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`V2
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`V3
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`

`

`US 2009/0149767 Al
`
`Jun. 11,2009
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM FOR DETECTION AND
`PROCESSING OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS
`OF HUMAN BODY AND METHOD THEREOF
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention refers to a system and a
`method for the detection and processing of physical param(cid:173)
`eters of the human body. The invention refers in particular, but
`not exclusively, to the detection and processing of signals of
`an electrocardiogram of a patient. Systems for telemedicine
`have been known for a long time and continuously evolve;
`said systems for telemedicine allow patients who suffer from
`particular pathologies to be remotely monitored by means of
`telecommunication equipment. Said telecommunication
`equipment allows transmitting the signal detected by particu(cid:173)
`lar sensors applied to a patient to a diagnostic centre of choice.
`[0002] Nevertheless, several pathologies can arise without
`any notice also in subjects considered basically healthy. In
`particular, several cardiac problems may suddenly arise and,
`if not promptly faced, may constitute a serious danger for
`health, or even for life itself. Such an event may happen not
`only to people subjected to particular strain conditions, like
`athletes or other sports people during sports competition or
`training, but also to people in everyday life.
`[0003] Time is therefore a relevant factor in order to be able
`to help and try effective treatments to a subject struck, for
`example, by a heart attack. In fact, it is deemed that a prompt
`intervention, which is tried within 20 minutes since arising of
`a heart attack, could allow limiting damages due to such a
`pathology or even saving a person's life. Nevertheless, a
`person who is considered healthy, and for this reason is not
`normally subjected to a remote monitoring of his health con(cid:173)
`ditions, is often unable to report the arising of such problems.
`For this reason, the need to provide to everyone a practical and
`easy-to-use system, which allows a quick reporting of signifi(cid:173)
`cant information on the nature of the problems to a remote
`unit exists. In general, the object of the present invention is to
`provide a system for detection and processing of physical
`parameters of the human body that can be available to a
`person in order to report possible health problems to a remote
`unit.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] A particular object of the present invention is to
`provide a system and a method that allows detecting and
`transmitting information of a person's electrocardiogram, at
`any time and in any condition. Such objects can be reached by
`the present invention thanks to a system according to claim 1
`and to a method according to claim 8. Further characteristics
`and advantages of the present invention are detailed in the
`respective claims.
`[0005]
`In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for
`the detection and the processing of physical parameters of
`human body is provided, which includes a plurality of sensors
`applicable to the skin of the subject, characterized by the fact
`that it comprises at least one interface circuit for processing
`sensor outputs and at least one reception/transmission circuit
`for the transmission of the signals processed by the interface
`circuit.
`[0006]
`In the preferred embodiment, signals detected by
`the sensors are signals of an electrocardiogram of the subject.
`The detection of other physical parameters, for example body
`
`temperature, arterial blood pressure and other, can be possi(cid:173)
`bly provided, as long as specific sensors for such purpose are
`available.
`[0007]
`In a particularly advantageous aspect of the present
`invention, the reception/transmission circuit is included in a
`cellular phone. Since a cellular phone is an everyday object,
`such a solution allows everyone to be able to notify conve(cid:173)
`niently and in a particularly simple way to a remote unit the
`arising of cardiac problems.
`[0008]
`In a possible embodiment of said system, also the
`interface circuit is included in a cellular phone. Said cellular
`phone being therefore arranged to process signals received by
`the sensors and to transmit on request significant information
`to a particular remote equipment, which can be either a cel(cid:173)
`lular phone or a landline telephony equipment.
`[0009]
`In the preferred embodiment, the cellular phone
`includes at least a compartment in which sensors can be kept
`when they are not applied to the skin of the subject. In such a
`way, sensors necessary for signal detection can be always
`provided to the person that uses the cellular phone and do not
`encumber when they are not used. Alternatively, a compart(cid:173)
`ment to keep sensors can be realized in the cellular phone
`case, provided that the subject uses one. In this way it is
`possible to avoid that the sensors being separated from the
`cellular phone and unintentionally placed where they do not
`come handy.
`[0010]
`In a possible embodiment, the connection between
`the sensors and the cellular phone is wireless, for example
`infrared transmission or radio-frequency transmission. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, said connection can also be a wired connection, by
`providing the set of sensors with a single connector, which is
`compatible with a suitable data link socket of the cellular
`phone it is associated with.
`[0011]
`In a second aspect of the present invention, a method
`for the detection and the processing of physical parameters of
`the human body is provided, in which a plurality of sensors is
`applied to the skin of a subject, characterized by the fact that
`it comprises the following phases:
`[0012]
`a) detecting sensors signals;
`[0013] b) processing the detected signals in order to obtain
`one or more images representative of the signals;
`[0014]
`c) transmitting images to a remote unit as radio(cid:173)
`frequency signals.
`[0015]
`In particular, the signals detected are preferably at
`least signals of an electrocardiogram of the subject, such
`signals being transformed into images. An image advanta(cid:173)
`geously provides an information which is particularly signifi(cid:173)
`cant and immediately decipherable by the person who
`receives them. Images are preferably transmitted by a cellular
`phone to a remote unit, for example the cellular phone of a
`trusted physician or to a telephony equipment, for example a
`telephone or a mobile phone equipped with a visualization
`screen, a facsimile or similar, which is present in a diagnostic
`centre or in a centre equipped for telemedicine services. The
`processing of the images is preferably realized by a suitable
`interface circuit included in a cellular phone. Alternatively,
`said interface circuit can be included in an external unit which
`can be connected, with a wired or wireless connection, to the
`mobile phone and to the sensors.
`[0016]
`In a third aspect of the present invention, a set of
`sensors for the detection and the processing of physical
`parameters of human body is provided, characterized by the
`fact that it comprises a plurality of sensors applicable to the
`skin of a subject, said plurality of sensors being assembled on
`
`5
`
`

`

`US 2009/0149767 Al
`
`Jun. 11,2009
`
`2
`
`a flexible or foldable support. Such support is preferably
`shaped, in order to facilitate the right application of the sen(cid:173)
`sors to the skin of the subject and the electrical conductors of
`the sensors are grouped in a single connection at their free
`end, thus allowing the connection to an interface circuit or to
`a cellular phone.
`[0017]
`In a possible embodiment, the set of sensors com(cid:173)
`prises at least six sensors for the detection of the signals of an
`electrocardiogram. Obviously, further sensors can be added,
`for example a seventh sensor still aimed at detecting signals of
`an electrocardiogram or other sensors aimed at detecting
`further significant parameters.
`[0018] The "cardiac stripe" or "component with sequence
`of sensors on a flexible support" can be easily used by every(cid:173)
`one, because it realizes in a single semi-adhesive element,
`which is stripe-shaped, the guided placement of several mea(cid:173)
`sure points, which are necessary for the detection of an elec(cid:173)
`trocardiogram.
`[0019]
`In fact, thanks to a proper shape of the said stripe,
`which can provide precise reference points on the user's body
`(for example, ribs, breast-bone, nipple, etc.), it is possible to
`apply said device in the correct way, without making any
`mistake. The flexible support comprises the proper spacing
`among each sensor, in such way allowing the guided posi(cid:173)
`tioning of the stripe. Said guided positioning and the adapt(cid:173)
`able conformations make said system quick and effective to
`apply, thus decreasing the sensor application time, as if the set
`of sensor was a single sensor. Furthermore, the connection
`system facilitates the system's substitution, thus allowing its
`use as a disposable item.
`[0020] Said system can be applied also to standard instru(cid:173)
`ments, thanks to connectors and/or interface circuits which
`connect, also wireless, the stripe to a standard electrocardio(cid:173)
`gram. Fitness characteristics are specified, which easily allow
`proper stretching and shortening of the flexible support,
`thanks to, as a non binding example, one or more foldings.
`Moreover, the stripe can comprise integrated, overturnable or
`connectable branches, which can reach other relevant points
`on the subject which are not in sequence.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0021] Further advantages and characteristics of the
`present invention will become more readily appreciated by
`reference to the following description, made by way of
`example and not restrictive, when taken in conjunction with
`the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation which gener(cid:173)
`ally illustrates the main idea of the invention;
`[0023] FIG. 2 is a representation of a possible embodiment
`of the present invention;
`[0024] FIG. 3 is a representation of a further possible
`embodiment of the present invention;
`[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a possible
`embodiment of a mobile phone suitable to the use in a system
`according to the present invention; and
`[0026] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a possible embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a set of sensors according to the present invention.
`[0027] FIG. 1 shows a subject S, who has been applied a set
`of sensors 10 for the detection of signals of an electrocardio(cid:173)
`gram. The sensors of the set of sensors 10 are electrically
`connected to a cellular phone 20 by means of conductors 11
`preferably joined in a single cable or stripe provided at its free
`
`end with a connector 12 (FIG. 5) suitable to the connection to
`a cellular phone 20. In the possible embodiment shown in
`FIG. 1, the cellular phone 20 includes an interface circuit
`which can process the signals coming from the set of sensors
`10 in order to obtain an image 21 for each of the sensors
`Vl-V6 (FIG. 5) which are present in the set of sensors 10.
`Each image 21 is stored, possibly visualized on the screen of
`the cellular phone 20, and transmitted over a cellular phone
`network for example a GSM network or similar here schema(cid:173)
`tized in a simple manner by a single node 30, to a remote unit,
`like a cellular phone 40 belonging for example to a doctor or,
`alternatively or in combination, to the monitoring station 50
`of a specialist centre provided with suitable telecommunica(cid:173)
`tions equipment or with systems for telemedicine.
`[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection between the set
`of sensors 10 and the cellular phone 20 can be realized also
`wireless, for example by means of a suitable interface circuit
`60 which uses for example radio frequency signals, infrared
`signals or similar (for example a BlueTooth® system or a
`wi-fi hot spot), in order to transmit the detected signals to the
`cellular phone 20.
`[0029] FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment where an inter(cid:173)
`face circuit 70, which connects the set of sensors 10 to the
`cellular phone 20 is interposed. Said interface circuit 70 can
`directly process the received signals in order to produce
`images, possibly storing said images, and then transmit said
`images to the cellular phone 20. As an alternative, interface
`circuit 70 can also be arranged to perform only some of the
`signal processing operations ( e.g., analog-to-digital conver(cid:173)
`sion, storage and/or control of the data flow from the sensors
`to the cellular phone 20). Connection wires 11 and 71, which
`connect said interface circuit respectively with the set of
`sensors 10 and with the cellular phone 20, can obviously be
`replaced by a circuit like the one labeled 60 in FIG. 2 for
`wireless transmission of the signal.
`[0030]
`In an advantageous embodiment, schematically
`shown in FIG. 4, the cellular phone 20 can be provided, for
`example in the posterior part of its shell, with a compartment
`23 into which at least the set of sensors 10 can be folded. If
`necessary, also the possible interface circuit 70 can be kept in
`the said compartment 23, ifthere is enough space. A cover 25
`allows locking the access to the compartment 23 in order to
`keep the sensors and/or the interface circuit when they are not
`used.
`[0031]
`In an alternative way or in combination, the sensors
`and the interface circuit can also be kept in a case (not repre(cid:173)
`sented) of the cellular phone 20.
`In FIG. 5 a set of sensors 10, in which six sensors,
`[0032]
`labeled Vl-V6, are provided, and assembled on a support 15
`realized using a flexible and foldable material is shown. Said
`support 15 is preferably shaped in order to facilitate the right
`application of the sensors on the skin of the subject S, for
`example sensors VI and V2 being applied to the sides of the
`breast bone and sensors V3-V6 applied immediately under
`the pectoral muscle. Said support 15 encloses also the elec(cid:173)
`trical conductors associated with each sensor, said electrical
`conductors being connected, at their free end, to a single
`connector 12, which allows the connection of the said set of
`sensors 10 to the cellular phone 20 and/or to an interface
`circuit like the said interface circuits labeled 60 (FIG. 2) and
`70 (FIG. 3).
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 2009/0149767 Al
`
`Jun. 11,2009
`
`3
`
`1-23. (canceled)
`24: A system for the detection and processing of physical
`parameters of the human body, comprising:
`a plurality of sensors applicable to the skin of a subject;
`an interface circuit for the processing of signals coming
`from said sensors;
`a reception/transmission circuit for the transmission of the
`signals processed by said interface circuit; and
`a remote unit having a graphic display, said remote unit
`being adapted to receive said signals from said recep(cid:173)
`tion/transmission circuit and display said signals on said
`graphic display.
`25: The system according to claim 24, wherein said signals
`detected by said sensors are signals of an electrocardiogram
`of the subject.
`26: The system according to claim 24, wherein said recep(cid:173)
`tion/transmission circuit is included in a cellular phone.
`27: The system according to claim 24, wherein said inter(cid:173)
`face circuit is included in a cellular phone.
`28: The system according to claim 26, wherein said cellular
`phone comprises at least one compartment adapted to retain
`said sensors when they are not applied to the skin of the
`subject.
`29: The system according to claim 26, wherein said inter(cid:173)
`face circuit includes wireless connections which allow the
`transmission of signal flow from said sensors to said cellular
`phone.
`30: The system according to claim 24, wherein said sensors
`are provided on a flexible support grouped in a single con(cid:173)
`nection at their free end in order to allow the connection of
`said plurality of sensors to a single connector, said flexible
`support being properly shaped to be flexible and extensible.
`31: The system according to claim 30, wherein said sensors
`are at least six sensors applied in suitable positions on said
`flexible support so that at least two sensors are positionable to
`the sides of the breast bone of the subject.
`32: A physical parameter detection and processing system
`comprising:
`a cardiac stripe having at least one connector, and a
`sequence of sensors provided to a flexible support, said
`sensors are conductive and semi-conductive electrical
`elements in contact with the skin that can detect signals
`related to heart activity, said sensors are connected by
`means of conductive parts which are integrated in said
`flexible support, said flexible support comprises joints
`allowing said flexible support to reach suitable positions
`on the subject;
`an interface circuit for the processing of signals coming
`from said sensors of said cardiac stripe;
`at least a reception/transmission circuit included in a cel(cid:173)
`lular phone, said cellular phone being adapted to receive
`said signals from said interface circuit and transmit them
`as radio-frequency signals; and
`a remote unit having a reception system and a graphic
`display, said remote unit being adapted to receive said
`
`radio-frequency signals from said cellular phone and
`display said signals on said graphic display as an image.
`33: The system according to claim 32, wherein said sensors
`are at least six sensors applied in suitable positions on said
`flexible support so that at least two sensors are positionable to
`the sides of the breast bone of the subject.
`34: The system according to claim 32, wherein said cellular
`phone comprises at least one compartment and a compart(cid:173)
`ment cover, said compartment being adapted to retain said
`sensors when they are not applied to the skin of the subject.
`35: A method for the detection and processing of physical
`parameters of the human body, said method comprising the
`steps of:
`providing a detection and processing system comprising: a
`plurality of sensors applicable to the skin of a subject; an
`interface circuit for the processing of signals coming
`from said sensors; a reception/transmission circuit for
`the transmission of the signals processed by said inter(cid:173)
`face circuit; and a remote unit having a graphic display,
`said remote unit being adapted to receive said signals
`from said reception/transmission circuit and display
`said signals on said graphic display;
`applying said sensor to the skin of a subject;
`connecting said sensors to said interface circuit;
`detecting output signals from said sensors;
`processing said detected signals by means of said interface
`circuit to obtain at least one image representative of said
`signals;
`transmitting said image to said reception/transmission cir(cid:173)
`cuit;
`transmitting said image to said remote unit as radio-fre(cid:173)
`quency signals; and
`processing said radio-frequency signals so as to be dis(cid:173)
`played on said graphic display in said remote unit.
`36: The method according to claim 35, wherein said signals
`detected by said sensors are signals of an electrocardiogram
`of the subject.
`37: The method according to claim 35, wherein said image
`is an image for each of the said sensors is created.
`38: The method according to claim 35, wherein said at least
`one image is transmitted by means of a cellular phone.
`39: The method according to claim 38, wherein said pro(cid:173)
`cessing of said image is realized by said interface circuit
`included in said cellular phone.
`40: The method according to claim 38, wherein said sen(cid:173)
`sors are storable in a compartment defined in said cellular
`phone when said sensors are not applied to the skin of the
`subject.
`41: The method according to claim 35, where said remote
`unit is a cellular phone.
`42: The method according to claim 35, where said remote
`unit is a centre for telemedicine services.
`
`* * * * *
`
`7
`
`