(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0116820 A1
`Goldreich
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`US 2005O116820A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING
`PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AT THE
`WRIST
`
`76
`
`(76) Inventor: Rami Goldreich, Rosh Ha'ayin (IL)
`
`s
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Martin Moynihan
`Anthony Castorina
`Suite 207
`2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
`Arlington, VA 22202 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/497,169
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 9, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/006,357,
`filed on Dec. 10, 2001, now abandoned.
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................... G08B 1/08
`(52)
`340/539.12; 600/300
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A wrist-mounted device for measuring at least one physi
`ological parameter of a Subject. The present invention
`enables Such a measurement to preferably be transformed
`into clinically useful information about the subject. Such
`information may then optionally be sent to medical perSon
`nel, for example at a contact and/or monitoring center,
`through a gateway device. The gateway device preferably
`communicates with the wrist-mounted device of the present
`invention through a wireleSS communication channel.
`
`100
`
`
`
`102
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`19
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`3.
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`117 -
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`115.
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`16
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`121
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`110
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`108
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`107
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`System
`Administrator N
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`
`
`112
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`Remote server
`
`113
`
`114
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`Processing
`Unit
`
`Real-Time
`Clock
`
`Wearable Device
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`/01,
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`No.ssa
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`· GL || .
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`300
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`
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`FIG.2.
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`FIG. 3
`
`Initiation
`
`
`
`Wait For Trigger
`N Technical
`
`mode
`
`End of load
`
`Panic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Watchdog
`
`RCVTime
`Out
`Command
`
`Automatic
`
`Supervise
`
`Timeout
`
`
`
`Timeout
`Reached
`ACK Received
`
`
`
`
`
`Comm
`
`Timeout
`Reached
`
`Wait For ACK
`
`Wait For ACK
`
`Send ACK
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`F.G. 4
`
`
`
`ST Le Fla. Addr(m. Addr(mi Addr(ls CM Data
`X in g sb)
`d)
`b)
`D
`(0)
`
`Data CRC(ms CRC(lst ET
`(n)
`b)
`X
`
`STX Start of TX indicates the beginning of the message (7E hex).
`Len
`indicates the number of data bytes that the message contains (0 to n + 2
`bytes).
`
`Len = 0 - No command.
`
`Len F 1 - command only; the message not include data(0) through
`data(n)
`
`Len >2 - the message includes command and data.
`status bits (1 byte)
`Flag
`Addr the user ID of the bracelet, 24bits (0 to16777216).
`CMD command description.
`Data(n) the data of the message.
`CRC the CRC (2 bytes) for the message beginning from STX byte to
`Dataco) byte
`ETX End of TX indicates the end of the message (7B hex)
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`FIG. 5
`
`500
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 2, 2005 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`F.G. 6
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`600
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`568
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`- 566
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`620
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`557
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`620 -
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`630
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING
`PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AT THE WRIST
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001) This application claims benefits under 35 U.S.C. S
`120 of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/006,
`357 filed Dec. 10, 2001 entitled, “METHOD AND DEVICE
`FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
`AT THE WRIST,” the subject matter of which is hereby
`incorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention is of a method and device for
`measuring at least one physiological parameter of a Subject
`at the wrist, preferably for extracting clinically useful infor
`mation thereof. More specifically, the present invention is of
`a device which may be worn at the wrist of the Subject with
`a Strap or other fastening article, and which may then be used
`to monitor the Subject through measurement of the physi
`ological parameter.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Currently, a number of different types of devices
`0.003
`are available for monitoring human Subjects in a non
`invasive manner. For example, heart function can be moni
`tored in a user through the use of electrodes, which must be
`attached to the Skin of the user. Although non-invasive, Such
`equipment is nevertheless uncomfortable for the user, who is
`attached to a network of cables and wired Sensors. In
`addition, Such equipment is very expensive, limiting its use
`to hospitals and other medical Settings in which both the cost
`and the discomfort of the patient can be justified. Further
`more, patients may become anxious when examined by
`medical perSonnel, thereby significantly altering the normal
`readings for these patients. It should be noted that the terms
`“subject”, “patient” and “user” are used interchangeably
`herein.
`0004. However, there are many different situations in
`which non-invasive monitoring of a human Subject is
`desired. For example, Such monitoring could be very useful
`as part of the overall health maintenance of the human
`Subject, and could be used in order to detect a deterioration
`in the physiological condition of the Subject before a con
`comitant deterioration in the health of the Subject becomes
`noticeable. Examples of adverse physiological conditions
`which could be detected with regular non-invasive monitor
`ing include but are not limited to excessive weight gain or
`less, arrhythmia and other heart conditions, incipient diabe
`tes in the form of improper glucose metabolism; and loSS of
`lung capacity or other problems with respiration.
`0005 Heart rate and blood pressure are important factors
`in determining the State of a person's health and the physical
`condition of a perSon's body in response to physical or
`emotional StreSS. Periodic monitoring of these physical
`parameters is particularly important for individuals having
`cardiac disease and/or lowered cardiac functioning, or high
`blood pressure. However, physically healthy individuals
`may also wish to periodically monitor their heart rate and
`blood pressure in Stressful Situations, for example when
`engaging in Strenuous exercise.
`
`0006. In order to support regular monitoring of human
`Subjects in their normal environment, Such as in the home
`and at the office for example, the equipment must be
`non-invasive and easy to use. The equipment would then be
`able to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the
`user, without requiring the user to perform any complicated
`actions and/or to operate complex devices. Indeed, it would
`be highly preferred for the equipment to be incorporated as
`part of the regular daily living routine of the Subject, Since
`the requirement for any additional or special actions on the
`part of human Subject is likely to result in decreased com
`pliance. In addition, the equipment should be robust yet
`inexpensive.
`0007 One example of such a device incorporates a
`wristband to attach a physiological Sensor to the wrist of the
`subject. Currently, a number of different types of Such
`wristband devices are available, most of which are intended
`to be used as Stand-alone devices to provide information
`about the Subjects own physical condition, mainly for heart
`rate and blood pressure. Most of these devices obtain such
`measurements by using an inflating cuff, which is bulky and
`awkward for the subject.
`0008 Wrist-mounted heart rate monitors are known to
`the art and have been disclosed, for example, in the patent
`to Orr et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,388, wherein the duration of
`a heart beat is measured by counting electrical pulses
`recurring at a known frequency. The duration of the heart
`beat is then related to a particular average heart beat rate.
`However, the disclosed measurement System does not
`directly measure the heart rate and, therefore, is Subject to
`inaccuracies of measurement due to the instability of heart
`beat duration over brief intervals of time.
`0009. A blood pressure measuring device is disclosed in
`the patent to Petzke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,179, in which
`a probe is applied adjacent to the radial artery of a wrist. A
`preSSure-Sensitive transducer on the probe generates electri
`cal Signals corresponding to the blood pressure pulses of the
`radial artery. The electrical pulses are applied to analog
`circuitry that generates a Systolic Signal corresponding to the
`integrated Voltage at the peak of the electrical pulse signal
`and a diastolic Signal corresponding to the Voltage at the low
`point of the pulse signal. The analog device of Petzke et al
`requires a Substantial amount of power to operate and,
`therefore, is not Suitable for use in a Small, compact Stand
`alone device for being worn on the wrist.
`0010) A blood pressure and a heart rate measuring wrist
`watch is also disclosed in the patent to Broadwater, U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,331,154, in which a digital watch is employed to
`measure Systolic and diastolic blood preSSure as well as
`heart rate. The band of the watch Supports a piezoelectric
`transducer that is held in contact with the wrist adjacent to
`the radial artery when a Switch on the band is activated. The
`absolute values required for this method to evaluate blood
`preSSure cause the device to be Subject to inaccurate read
`ings, Since the tissueS of the hand and wrist may be expected
`to expand and contract according to Such factors as the time
`of day, and the condition of the external environment Such
`as the atmospheric pressure. Such expansion or contraction
`may cause different degrees of tension on the wrist-mounted
`device, which is therefore not suitable for use without daily
`calibrations.
`0011. Other wrist-mounted devices are for wireless panic
`alarm Systems, mainly for elderly people who live alone.
`
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
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`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`These devices are usually shaped as a wristband or a
`pendant. Whenever the user becomes distressed, the user
`presses a panic button located on the device. The device then
`Sends a digitally coded wireleSS message to a gateway
`device located nearby, usually in the same room, by using a
`unidirectional wireleSS data communication link. The gate
`way device then contacts a manually operated contact cen
`ter, for example with a land based or cellular telephone
`connection. A particular identifier for the user is usually sent
`first, after which the human operator is allowed to talk to the
`user through a speaker and to listen through a Sensitive
`microphone located within the gateway. However, none of
`the above Systems contains any physiological measurement
`device within, in order to learn about the current physiologi
`cal Status of the user.
`0012. In such a situation as described above, the operator
`at the call center learns about the user's condition only by
`Speaking with the user. However, this is only possible if the
`user is actually able to Speak. High levels of background
`noise may also prevent the user from being heard by the
`microphone of the gateway device.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0013 The background art does not teach or suggest a
`device which can conveniently, non-intrusively and autono
`mously measure one or more physiological parameters, in
`order to extract medical information Such as heart rate,
`breathing rate and blood preSSure, and which may be worn
`on the wrist of the user. The background art also does not
`teach or Suggest Such a wrist-mounted device, which can
`measure Such parameters and then Send the information to a
`contact center or other location containing medical perSon
`nel. The background art also does not teach or Suggest Such
`a wrist-mounted device which is compact, non-invasive, and
`light.
`0.014. The present invention overcomes these deficiencies
`of the background art by providing a wrist-mounted device
`for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the
`user. The present invention enables Such a measurement to
`preferably be transformed into medical information about
`the user, and/or displays the results on a LCD display. AS
`used herein, the term "physiological parameter” refers to the
`Signal which is received from the Sensor, while the term
`“medical information” refers to the information which may
`be extracted or otherwise obtained by analyzing this signal
`and/or a combination of Signals. Such information may then
`optionally be sent to medical personnel (for example at a
`contact monitoring center) and/or to a remote server,
`through a gateway device. The gateway device preferably
`communicates with the wrist-mounted device of the present
`invention through a wireleSS communication channel.
`0.015 The present invention has the option to display the
`medical information to the user on a local LCD display, Such
`that the user is optionally and preferably able to read the
`result locally. Examples of medical information which may
`be extracted from the measured physiological parameter or
`parameters include, but are not limited to: heart rate; regu
`larity in heart rate; breathing rate; arrhythmia of the heart (if
`any), as well as the general rhythm and functioning of the
`heart; blood preSSure, presence of abnormal body move
`ments Such as convulsions for example, body position;
`general body movements, body temperature; presence and
`level of Sweat, oxygen Saturation in the blood; and glucose
`levels in the blood.
`
`0016. In addition to the physiological parameters, the
`present invention may measure other parameters that may
`affect the Subject's physical condition, including but not
`limited to ambient temperature and humidity, lighting con
`ditions, Smoke or other material in the air, distance from
`home etc.
`0017 Optionally and more preferably, the present inven
`tion also features an alarm Signal for being transmitted
`through the gateway device in order to indicate an emer
`gency or otherwise dangerous situation for the user. The
`alarm Signal may optionally be transmitted according to a
`manual action of the user, Such as pressing a "panic button”
`for example.
`0018. Upon receipt of the manually activated alarm sig
`nal, the gateway would preferably initiate immediately a call
`to a human operated call center. Then the device would
`preferably automatically collect one or more current mea
`Surements of physiological parameters of the user. These
`measurements may be sent directly to the gateway, or
`alternatively may be analyzed in order to compute the
`medical information of the user before Sending the results to
`the gateway. The human operator would then preferably be
`able to assess the user's medical condition from the received
`information.
`0019 Most preferably, the alarm signal is transmitted
`automatically upon measurement of one or more physiologi
`cal parameters of the user, even if the user is unable to press
`the panic button. Optionally, the alarm Signal may be given
`to the user, additionally or alternatively, for example by
`Sounding an audible alarm, more preferably from the wrist
`mounted device itself.
`0020. The device of the present invention also monitors,
`at least periodically or continuously, one or more physi
`ological parameters of the user. Continuous monitoring
`would more easily enable the device to transmit the alarm
`Signal if one or more physiological parameters are deter
`mined to be outside of predefined criteria, which may
`represent Such medical information as unstable or excessive
`heart rate, or very high or low blood preSSure.
`0021 According to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, the wrist-mounted device features one or
`more Sensors attached to a wristband or other fastening
`article. The Sensor(s) may optionally be connected to a
`microprocessor, optionally by a wire but alternatively
`through a wireleSS connection. The microprocessor may
`optionally also be located within the wristband, or otherwise
`attached to the wristband. The Sensor(s) may optionally
`Support automatic collection of the measurement of the at
`least one physiological parameter, while the microprocessor
`is able to execute one or more instructions for extracting
`medical information about the user from Such measure
`ment(s).
`0022. The microprocessor more preferably operates a
`Software program to process and analyze the data which is
`collected, in order to compute medical information. The
`extracted information, optionally also with the raw data, is
`then preferably transferred to the previously described gate
`way device. The gateway device may optionally relay Such
`information to a remote Server, which more preferably is
`able to provide Such information to medical perSonnel, for
`example as part of a contact center. Therefore, continuous
`
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
`
`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`monitoring of the medical information and/or physiological
`parameters of the user may optionally and more preferably
`be made, enabling better medical care for the user. Accord
`ing to the present invention there is provided a device for
`measuring at least one physiological parameter of a Subject,
`comprising: (a) a fastening article for being fastened to a
`wrist of the user; (b) at least one Sensor for measuring at least
`one physiological function of the user, the Sensor may be in
`contact with at least a portion of the wrist and the Sensor
`being attached to the fastening article; and (c) a processor for
`receiving a signal from the Sensor and for converting at least
`one measurement to form the at least one physiological
`parameter. Optionally, the data may be stored on a non
`volatile memory for being downloaded later by the user or
`by an operator.
`0023. According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a System for measuring at least
`one physiological parameter of a Subject, comprising: (a) a
`device for measuring the at least one physiological param
`eter, comprising: (i) a fastening article for being fastened to
`a wrist of the user; (ii) a Sensor for measuring at least one
`physiological parameter of the user, the Sensor being in
`contact with at least a portion of the wrist and the Sensor
`being attached to the fastening article; (iii) a communication
`unit for at least transmitting data; and (b) a gateway device
`for receiving the transmitted data for being monitored.
`0024. According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a
`physiological parameter of a user, comprising: providing a
`device for monitoring the physiological parameter, the
`device being attached to at least a portion of the user at a
`pulse point of the user; monitoring the physiological param
`eter through the pulse point, and if a level of the physiologi
`cal parameter of the user is outside of an expected range,
`transmitting an alarm.
`0.025 According to still another embodiment of the
`present invention, there is provided a device for measuring
`at least one physiological parameter of a Subject, compris
`ing: (a) a fastening article for being fastened to a wrist of the
`user; (b) a piezoceramic sensor for measuring at least one
`physiological parameter of the user at a pulse point of the
`wrist and the Sensor being attached to the fastening article;
`and (c) a processor for receiving a signal from the Sensor and
`for converting the at least one measurement to form medical
`information.
`0026. Hereinafter, the term “microprocessor” includes,
`but is not limited to, general-purpose microprocessor, a DSP,
`a micro-controller or a special ASIC designed for that
`purpose.
`0027. The method of the present invention could be
`described as a process for being performed by a data
`processor, and as Such could optionally be implemented as
`Software, hardware or firmware, or a combination thereof.
`For the present invention, a Software application could be
`written in Substantially any Suitable programming language,
`which could easily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the
`art. The programming language chosen should be compat
`ible with the computational device (computer hardware and
`operating System) according to which the Software applica
`tion is executed. Examples of Suitable programming lan
`guages include, but are not limited to, Visual Basic, ASSem
`bler, Visual C, standard C, C++ and Java.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0028. The invention is herein described, by way of
`example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`wherein:
`0029 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system
`according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an exemplary
`0030)
`device;
`FIG. 3 describes a general state flow diagram;
`0031)
`0032 FIG. 4 describes a bi-directional message format
`between the device and the gateway;
`0033 FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an exemplary
`device with ECG option; and
`0034 FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary
`device, which illustrates the installation of a SpO2 sensor.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`0035. The present invention is of a wrist-mounted device
`for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the
`user. The present invention enables Such a measurement to
`preferably be transformed into medical information about
`the user. Such information may then optionally be sent to
`medical personnel (for example at a contact monitoring
`center) and/or to a remote server, through a gateway device.
`The gateway device preferably communicates with the
`wrist-mounted device of the present invention through a
`wireleSS communication channel.
`0036) Examples of medical information which may be
`extracted from the measured physiological parameter or
`parameters include, but are not limited to: heart rate; regu
`larity in heart rate; breathing rate; arrhythmia of the heart (if
`any), as well as the general rhythm and functioning of the
`heart; blood preSSure, presence of abnormal body move
`ments Such as convulsions for example, body position;
`general body movements, body temperature; presence and
`level of Sweat, oxygen Saturation in the blood; and glucose
`levels in the blood.
`0037 Optionally and more preferably, the present inven
`tion also features an alarm Signal for being transmitted
`through the gateway device in order to indicate an emer
`gency or otherwise dangerous situation for the user. The
`alarm Signal may optionally be transmitted according to a
`manual action of the user, Such as pressing a "panic button”
`for example.
`0038 Most preferably, the alarm signal is transmitted
`automatically upon measurement of the one or more physi
`ological parameters of the user, preferably even if the user
`is unable to press the panic button. Optionally, the alarm
`Signal may be given to the user, additionally or alternatively,
`for example by Sounding an audible alarm, more preferably
`from the wrist-mounted device itself.
`0039. An exemplary embodiment of the present inven
`tion may measure also parameters that may affect the
`Subject's physical condition, including but not limited to
`ambient temperature and humidity, lighting conditions,
`Smoke and/or other material in the air, distance from home
`etc.
`
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`IPR Petition - USP 10,942,491
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`US 2005/0116820 A1
`
`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`0040. Upon receipt of the manually/automatically acti
`Vated alarm Signal, the gateway would preferably initiate
`immediately a call to a human operated call center. Then the
`device would preferably automatically collect one or more
`current physiological measurements of the user. These mea
`Surements may be sent directly to the gateway, or alterna
`tively may be analyzed in order to compute the medical
`parameters of the user before Sending the results to the
`gateway. The gateway may also analyze the measurement,
`for example when the measurements are transferred directly
`to the gateway. The human operator, at the medical center,
`would then preferably be able to assess the user's medical
`condition from the received information. It should be noted
`that the terms “medical center” and “call center” are used
`interchangeably herein.
`0041. The device of the present invention may also
`monitor, at least periodically but more preferably continu
`ously, the value or condition of one or more physiological
`parameters of the user. Continuous monitoring would more
`easily enable the device to transmit the alarm Signal if
`measurements of one or more physiological parameters are
`collected and analyzed by the microprocessor to form medi
`cal information, which then could be determined to be above
`predefined criteria, Such as unstable heart rate, or very high
`or low blood pressure, for example.
`0042. According to a non-limiting exemplary embodi
`ment of the present invention, the wrist-mounted device
`features one or more Sensors attached to a wristband or other
`fastening article. The Sensor(s) are preferably connected to
`a microprocessor, optionally by a wire but alternatively
`through a wireleSS connection. The microprocessor may
`optionally also be located within the wristband, or otherwise
`attached to the wristband. The Sensor(s) preferably Support
`automatic collection of at least one physiological measure
`ment; more preferably, the microprocessor is able to execute
`one or more instructions for extracting clinically useful
`information about the user from Such measurement(s).
`0043. The microprocessor more preferably operates a
`Software program to process and analyze the data which is
`collected, in order to compute medical information. The
`extracted medical information, optionally also with the raw
`data, is then preferably transferred to the previously
`described gateway device. The gateway device then prefer
`ably relayS. Such information to a remote Server, which more
`preferably is able to provide Such information to medical
`perSonnel, for example as part of a contact center. Therefore,
`continuous monitoring of the physiological parameters of
`the user may optionally and more preferably be made,
`enabling better medical care for the user.
`0044) A general, non-limiting example of suitable meth
`ods for measuring the heart rate and/or other heart-related
`physiological parameters of a Subject who is wearing the
`device according to the present invention may be found in
`the article “Cuff-less Continuous Monitoring of Beat-To
`Beat Blood Pressure Using Sensor Fusion”, by Boo-Ho
`Yang, Yi Zhang and H. Harry Asada-IEEE (also available
`through
`http://web.mit.edu/Zyi/www/pdf/
`IEEETrans2000.pdf as of Dec. 9, 2001), hereby incorpo
`rated by reference as if fully set forth herein, where systolic
`and diastolic blood pressure are calculated using the pulse
`preSSure shape per heartbeat. The disclosure does not
`describe a device which has the functionality according to
`
`the present invention, but the disclosed method is generally
`useful for determining blood pressure from an external
`measurement of preSSure from the pulse through the skin of
`the Subject.
`004.5 The principles and operation of a device and
`method according to the present invention may be better
`understood with reference to the drawings and the accom
`panying description.
`0046 Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sche
`matic block diagram of a System according to the present
`invention. As shown, a system 100 features a wearable
`device 101 to be worn by a user, preferably as a wrist
`mounted device, for example by being attached with a
`wristband or other fastening article to the wrist of the user.
`Device 101 features at least one physiological sensor 102 for
`measuring at least one physiological parameter of the user.
`The function of an exemplary sensor 102 is described in
`greater detail below.
`0047 The device 101 may optionally feature a vibration
`Sensor 123, preferably a piezoceramic Sensor, which is not in
`direct contact with the skin of the user. Sensor 123 measures
`the movement of the wrist. The output of sensor 123 can be
`used by a processing unit 103 to capture the movement of
`the wrist and to recover some noise received by sensor 102,
`which is caused by Such movement.
`0048 Device 101 may include additional ambient sen
`Sors 130 or additional measuring routines for measuring
`other parameters. For example, device 101 may optionally
`have a humidity Sensor for measuring the ambient humidity.
`An exemplary humidity Sensor may be the Humidity Gauge
`manufactured by Honeywell.
`0049. In order to support processing of the measured
`physiological parameter or parameters, processing unit 103
`may optionally include internal RAM and non-volatile pro
`gram memory (not shown). Also processing unit 103 may
`optionally include an extended data memory 105 located
`externally to processing unit 103. Processing unit 103 pref
`erably executes at least one instruction for processing the
`data obtained by sensor 102.
`0050 Examples of such processing units 103 include but
`are not limited to PIC18LC452 by Microchip Technology
`Inc., which contains 10 channels of 10 bit A/D converters,
`a 1.5 K bytes of internal RAM and 32 K Bytes of non
`Volatile program memory.
`0051
`Extended memory component 105 is preferably an
`electrically erasable non-volatile external memory compo
`nent. Examples of Such a memory component include but
`are not limited to FM24CL64-S (Ramtron, USA), with 64
`Kbit of fast access read/write Serial memory for Storing
`temporary data related to the sampled physiological param
`eter.
`0052 Device 101 may optionally feature a real time
`clock 117 in order to provide an accurate time and date for
`each measurement, as device 101 can optionally Store a few
`measurements before transmitting Such data and/or infor
`mation to a gateway device 110, as described in greater
`detail below. Stored data and/or information may also
`optionally be used for Such applications as reminding the
`Subject to take medication, perform a prescheduled mea
`surement, and so forth. An A/D converter 109 with multiple
`
`-11-
`
`Masimo Ex. 1033
`IPR Petition - USP 10,942,491
`
`

`

`US 2005/0116820 A1
`
`Jun. 2, 2005
`
`inputS is also optionally and preferably present if Sensor 102
`is an analog Sensor, in order to convert the analog signal to
`a digital Signal.
`0.053
`Device 101 preferably features an internal commu
`nication unit 104, for at least unidirectional, but more
`preferably bi-directional, communication with gateway
`device 110. Gateway device 110 may feature a communi
`cation unit 107. Communication unit 104 may optionally
`communicate with communication unit 107 through a wire
`or alternatively through a wireleSS communication link 121.
`According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, gateway device 110 is located relatively
`close to the user and hence to device 101, for example by
`being located at the user's premises. AS a non-limiting
`example, gateway device 110 could optionally be installed
`in the home of the user.
`0.054 Gateway device 110 also optionally and preferably
`features a controller 108 for controlling functions of gate
`way device 110, such as communication with device 101 for
`example.
`0.055 Gateway device 110 preferably communicates with
`a remote server 114 through a data link 120, which could
`optionally be a direct dial-up modem connection with
`DTMF coding or TCP/IP using regular LAN or dial-up
`modem connection to an ISP, for example. In any case, data
`link 120 may optionally be a wired or wireless link, for
`example through a cellular telephone and/or land-based
`telephone System, or a combination thereof.
`0056 Remote server 114 may be controlled by a system
`administrator 112, which may be a perSon (for manual
`operation) or a Software program (for automatic operation),
`or a combination thereof. Remote server 114 also preferably
`features a database 113 for storing data received from
`gateway device 110.
`0057 Device 101 may also feature a manually operated
`panic alarm button 116 to be manually activated by the user,
`for example if the user is in distress. Device 101 may also
`optionally feature a LED display 118, for example in order
`to indicate of alert activation or a low battery level.
`0.058
`Physiological sensor 102 is preferably part of a
`sensor assembly. Wit