Two-part patch sensor for monitoring vital signs

Abstract

A two-component monitoring device and system for monitoring blood pressure from a patient is disclosed herein. The two-component monitoring device includes a disposable component and a main component. The disposable component features: i) a backing structure having a first aperture; and ii) first and second electrodes, each electrode connected to the backing structure and including an electrical lead and a conductive electrode material, and configured to generate an electrical signal that passes through the electrical lead when the conductive electrode material contacts the patient. The main component includes: i) first and second connectors configured to connect to the first and second electrical leads to receive the first and second electrical signals; and ii) an optical component comprising a light source that generates optical radiation and a photodetector that detects the optical radiation. The optical component inserts into the first aperture of the disposable component. The main component optionally includes an acoustic sensor. The system utilizes a processing device, connected to the monitoring device by a cable which receives and processes a plurality of signals to determine real-time blood-pressure values for the patient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 558,538 filed Nov. 10, 2006, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety including all tables, figures and claims.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to medical devices for monitoring vital signs, e.g. blood pressure.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Pulse transit time (‘PTT’), defined as the transit time for a pressure pulse launched by a heartbeat in a patient's arterial system, has been shown in a number of studies to correlate to both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In these studies PTT is typically measured with a conventional vital signs monitor that includes separate modules to determine both an electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulse oximetry. During a PTT measurement, multiple electrodes typically attach to a patient's chest to determine a time-dependent ECG characterized by a sharp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The sensor according to this invention makes cuffless blood pressure measurements using a two-part patch sensor featuring a disposable component that includes a pair of electrodes and a non-disposable component that features optical and acoustic sensors. When snapped together, the disposable and non-disposable components form an adhesive sensor with a form factor similar to a conventional band-aid that typically attaches to a patient's chest, just below their sternal notch. During operation, the sensor measures optical, electrical, and acoustic waveforms from the patient, which a microprocessor then analyzes as described in detail below to determine blood pressure and other vital signs. In this way, the sensor replaces a conventional cuff to make a rapid measurement of blood pressure with little or no discomfort to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Typically a high blood pressure results in a shorter PTT.

PTT-based measurements of blood pressure are complicated by a number of factors, one of which is the many time-dependent processes associated with each heartbeat that may correlate in a different way with blood pressure, or in fact may not correlate at all.

This causes the ventricle to fill with blood and increase in pressure.

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