Hemoglobinometers and the like for measuring the metabolic condition of a subject

Abstract

The present invention discloses a novel, user-wearable system for monitoring the oxygen concentration, or oxygenation trend, in the tissue of a subject undergoing aerobic stress. The system comprises a lightweight detector, worn against the skin surface of the subject, at the site being monitored. The system further includes wearable power pack and display means for displaying information indicative of the metabolic condition of the region being monitored. The detector preferably employs a continuous wave spectrophotometer having one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between about 760 and 800 nanometers directed into the tissue of the subject. The detector utilizes photon migration to detect the portion of the transmitted radiation arriving at an adjacent skin region. The present invention also discloses methods for displaying the aerobic metabolic condition of a subject.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] In one aspect, the present invention relates to wearable apparatus for noninvasive determinations of the concentration of oxygen in a specific target region of tissue. More specifically, the present invention discloses a user-wearable system for monitoring the oxygen concentration, or oxygenation trend, in the tissue of a subject undergoing aerobic stress, such as an exercising person. [0002] The increasing popularity of all forms of exercise over the last several decades has also lead to an increased interest in the measurement of individual athletic performance. However, at the present time, athletes are limited to obtaining heartbeat and blood pressure data while they are exercising. Although of some use, these data do not reflect peripheral circulatory capacity or the oxygenation state of specific muscle tissue. [0003] In order to measure oxygen delivery to the capillary bed of the muscles, an athlete must be tethered to electrocardiogram appar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention provides a novel, wearable system for determining the metabolic condition of an aerobically stressed portion of the muscle tissue of an exercising person. The system comprises a lightweight rugged detector, worn against the skin surface of the subject, adjacent to the muscle being monitored. The system of the present invention thus minimizes any performance impairment. The preferred system further comprises a wearable power pack and a wearable display means...

Problems solved by technology

However, at the present time, athletes are limited to obtaining heartbeat and blood pressure data while they are exercising.

Although of some use, these data do not reflect peripheral circulatory capacity or the oxygenation state of specific muscle tissue.

For example, as a casual jogger strives to become a marathon runner, the efficiency at which he/she uses oxygen can severely impact performance; data reflecting the utilization of oxygen can provide information which allows an athlete to change pacing strategies or otherwise adjust their activ...

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