Apparatus and method for measuring physiological parameters of mammal subject and applications of same

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring physiological parameters of a mammal subject includes a first sensor system and a second sensor system that are time-synchronized to each other and spatially separated. Each sensor system has a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of flexible and stretchable interconnects that are electrically connecting to different electronic components, and an elastomeric encapsulation layer at least partially surrounding the plurality of electronic components and the plurality of flexible and stretchable interconnects to form a tissue-facing surface and an environment-facing surface. The plurality of electronic components includes a sensor member for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the mammal subject, a system on a chip (SoC) having a microprocessor coupled to the sensor member for receiving data from the sensor member and processing the received data, and a transceiver coupled to the SoC for wireless data transmission and wireless power harvesting.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]This PCT application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 62 / 753,303, 62 / 753,453 and 62 / 753,625, each of which was filed Oct. 31, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, respectively.[0002]This PCT application is related to a co-pending PCT patent application, entitled “SENSOR NETWORK FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF MAMMAL SUBJECT AND APPLICATIONS OF SAME”, by John A. Rogers et al., with Attorney Docket No. 0116936.214W02, and a co-pending US patent application entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NON-INVASIVELY MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE OF MAMMAL SUBJECT”, by John A. Rogers et al., with Attorney Docket No. 0116936.215US2, each of which is filed on the same day that this PCT application is filed, and with the same assignee as that of this application, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, respectively.[0003]Some references, which may i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a highly advanced and safe wireless monitoring system for neonates that is compatible with common procedures in the NICU. The system is mechanically robust and can accommodate bending, twisting or stretching without fracture or substantial degradation of an operating parameter. Additionally, the invention includes an optimized driving voltage for the LED optical light source to ensure sufficient signal strength without saturating the optical detector.

Problems solved by technology

Vital sign monitoring systems, however, have largely remained locked in time since the 1970s.

Conventional medical platforms in the NICU fail, however, to offer a safe, patient-centric mode of operation, largely due to the use of hard-wired, rigid interfaces to the neonate's fragile, under-developed skin.

Those systems are impractical because they are bulky and cover a significant surface area of the neonate—which further complicates medical care instead of simplifying it.

Furthermore, the web of wires prevents effective therapeutic skin-to-skin contact and hinders the ability to turn or position the baby.

The existing sensor systems also suffer limited capabilities beyond basic vital monitoring parameters and are fundamentally incapable of being realistically adapted for home or remote monitoring.

In addition, none of those systems have been rigorously tested, including in operating NICUs.

Other technology is still in the research phase, requiring multiple wires and lacks the intimate skin connection that enables high fidelity sensing, particularly in the context of a neonate that is moving.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

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