Wearable monitoring devices

Abstract

A wearable device configured to measure the physiological parameters of a subject is described. The wearable device may comprise a dock having a plurality of protrusions, a dock circuit layer having a plurality of conductive strips positioned along the plurality of protrusions, and a plurality of electrodes electrically communicating with the dock circuit layer. The wearable device may also comprise a hub having a housing with a plurality of openings, configured to be detachably fixed to the dock, and a hub circuit layer disposed inside the housing. When the hub and dock are fixed to each other, the plurality of protrusions of the frame extend toward the plurality of openings in the housing of the hub, bringing the plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer, thereby facilitating electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the hub circuit layer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Incorporation by reference of priority application This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486456, titled "Electrocardiogram Device," filed on 22 February 2023. The aforementioned application and all other applications, in which foreign or national priority claims are specified in the application datasheet filed with this application, are incorporated herein by reference under 37 CFR §1.57.

[0002] This disclosure relates, in general, to systems, methods, and devices for monitoring the physiological information of a subject. [Background technology]

[0003] An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely accepted non-invasive procedure that detects the electronic impulses of a subject's heart. It is often used to detect potential problems and / or abnormal conditions related to a subject's heart. Temperature is also a widely accepted indicator of a subject's health. Temperatures that are too low or too high can negatively affect a subject's metabolic rate, organ function, and / or cause tissue damage. By collecting and monitoring a subject's ECG and temperature data, healthcare professionals can detect and / or prevent adverse conditions such as infections, heart failure, stroke, and other types of conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0233128 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0087671 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 11406286 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0045000 Specification [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0330200 [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This disclosure describes, in particular, implementations of wearable devices, methods, and / or systems for monitoring one or more physiological parameters and / or other parameters of a subject. Such physiological parameters and / or other parameters may include, in particular, the subject's cardiac activity and / or function, body temperature, supine position, movement, and / or posture. Advantageously, the wearable devices described herein can wirelessly monitor such physiological parameters of a subject, freeing the subject from being tied to cables. The wearable devices described herein may be configured to be attached to a subject (for example, attached to the subject's body).

[0006] Disclosed herein are wearable devices comprising a dock and a hub. The dock may comprise one or more substrates configured to be fixed to the skin of a subject, a frame coupled to one or more substrates and comprising a plurality of protrusions, and a dock circuit layer comprising a plurality of conductive strips positioned along the plurality of protrusions of the frame. The wearable device may further comprise a plurality of electrodes for monitoring the cardiac activity of a subject, and a plurality of cables configured to facilitate electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the dock circuit layer. The hub may comprise a housing that is configured to be detachably fixed to the dock and comprises an interior and a plurality of openings, a hub circuit layer disposed inside the housing, and one or more hardware processors coupled to the hub circuit layer. In some implementations, when the hub and dock are fixed to each other, the plurality of protrusions of the frame extend toward the plurality of openings in the housing of the hub, bringing the plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer, thereby facilitating electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the hub circuit layer.

[0007] In some implementations, when the hub and dock are fixed together, the multiple projections of the frame at least partially penetrate the multiple openings in the hub housing and bring the multiple conductive strips into contact with the portion of the hub circuit layer. In some implementations, each of the multiple projections comprises a first end connected to a portion of the frame, a second end opposite the first end, and a curved portion closer to the second end than to the first end, and when the hub and dock are fixed together, the curved portion of the multiple projections at least partially penetrates the multiple openings in the hub housing and brings the multiple conductive strips into contact with the portion of the hub circuit layer.

[0008] In some implementations, each of the multiple protrusions comprises a first end connected to a portion of the frame, a second end opposite the first end, a convex portion, and a recessed portion, wherein the convex portion is closer to the first end than the recessed portion, and the recessed portion is closer to the second end than the convex portion, and when the hub and dock are fixed together, the recessed portion of the multiple protrusions at least partially penetrates a plurality of openings in the hub housing, bringing a plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer. In some implementations, the recessed portion comprises a shorter amount of the length of each of the multiple protrusions, is shorter than the convex portion, and / or has a smaller radius of curvature than the convex portion. In some implementations, each of the multiple protrusions is provided with a bump on the recessed portion, the bump on the multiple protrusions is configured to facilitate contact between a plurality of conductive strips and a portion of the hub circuit layer.

[0009] In some implementations, the hub is configured to be removably secured to the dock frame, and the frame includes at least one mechanical connector configured to be secured to at least one mechanical connector of the hub. In some implementations, each of the plurality of protrusions is provided with a bump, the bumps of the plurality of protrusions are configured to facilitate contact between a plurality of conductive strips and a portion of the hub circuit layer.

[0010] In some implementations, the plurality of electrodes are external electrodes configured to be fixed to the subject's skin away from the dock, and the wearable device further comprises at least one internal electrode operably positioned by the dock's frame. In some implementations, the wearable device comprises two internal electrodes spaced apart from each other and operably positioned by the dock's frame. In some implementations, one or more substrates comprise two substrates separated by a channel, each of the two substrates associated with one different electrode of the two internal electrodes, and the channel provides electrical insulation between the two internal electrodes. In some implementations, each of the two substrates is configured to be positioned between its respective internal electrode and the subject's skin.

[0011] In some implementations, one or more substrates are electrically and / or thermally conductive. In some implementations, the housing further comprises a plurality of inwardly tapered recesses, each of which surrounds one different opening from a plurality of openings. In some implementations, the hub further comprises one or more electrical contacts coupled to a hub circuit layer and configured to allow the hub's battery to be powered by a charging device, and the housing comprises one or more charger contact openings configured to make the one or more electrical contacts available. In some implementations, the hub further comprises a temperature sensor.

[0012] In some implementations, the plurality of openings in the housing of the hub are projection openings of the housing, and the housing further comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a probe opening penetrating the bottom portion, the bottom portion being positioned close to the skin of a subject when the hub and dock are fixed to each other and the dock is fixed to the skin of a subject, and the hub circuit layer is a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole penetrating the circuit board between the first surface and the second surface. In some of the implementations, the hub further comprises a temperature sensor mounted on the first surface of the circuit board adjacent to the at least one hole, and a thermal conductive probe penetrating the probe opening of the housing, comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being positioned adjacent to the second surface of the circuit board and the at least one hole. In some implementations, when the hub and dock are fixed together, the second end of the thermal conductive probe is in contact with at least one of the one or more substrates of the dock, and the thermal conductive probe is configured to receive thermal energy emitted from the subject's skin through the one or more substrates when the dock is fixed to the subject's skin, and to transfer the thermal energy to the temperature sensor through at least one hole in the circuit board.

[0013] In some configurations, the hub further comprises a wall extending outward from the bottom portion of the housing and extending around at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe. In some configurations, the wall encloses the entire cross-section of the thermal conductive probe. In some configurations, the wall encloses the entire perimeter of the thermal conductive probe. In some configurations, the wall surrounds the thermal conductive probe. In some configurations, the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall. In some configurations, less than approximately 30% of the length of the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall. In some configurations, the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall by an amount of less than approximately 1.5 mm. In some configurations, the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall by an amount of approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. In some configurations, the wall is cylindrical and the thermal conductive probe is cylindrical. In some configurations, the gap between the thermal conductive probe and the wall is approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1.5 mm.

[0014] Disclosed herein is a wearable device comprising a dock and a hub. The dock may comprise one or more substrates configured to be fixed to the skin of a subject. The hub may be configured to be detachably fixed to the dock and comprises a housing having an interior, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a projection opening penetrating the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is positioned close to the skin of the subject when the hub and dock are fixed to each other and the dock is fixed to the skin of the subject; a circuit board disposed inside the housing, comprising a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole penetrating the circuit board between the first surface and the second surface; and coupled to the circuit board, inside the housing The housing may comprise one or more hardware processors located in the section; a temperature sensor mounted on a first surface of a circuit board adjacent to the at least one hole; a thermal conductive probe penetrating the opening of the housing, the thermal conductive probe comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end positioned adjacent to the second surface of the circuit board and the at least one hole; and a wall extending outward from the bottom portion of the housing and extending around at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe. In some implementations, when the hub and the dock are fixed to each other and the dock is fixed to the subject's skin, the second end of the thermal conductive probe is in contact with at least one of the one or more substrates of the dock, and the thermal conductive probe is configured to receive thermal energy emitted from the subject's skin through the one or more substrates and to transfer the thermal energy to the temperature sensor through the at least one hole of the circuit board.

[0015] In some implementations, the hub is coupled to a circuit board and further includes a battery disposed inside the housing. In some implementations, the wall surrounds the entire cross-section of the thermally conductive probe. In some implementations, the wall surrounds the entire perimeter of the thermally conductive probe. In some implementations, the wall surrounds the thermally conductive probe. In some implementations, the thermally conductive probe extends beyond the wall. In some implementations, a portion of the thermally conductive probe less than about 30% of the length of the thermally conductive probe extends beyond the wall. In some implementations, the thermally conductive probe extends beyond the wall by an amount less than about 1.5 mm. In some implementations, the thermally conductive probe extends beyond the wall by an amount from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm. In some implementations, the wall is cylindrical and the thermally conductive probe is cylindrical. In some implementations, the gap between the thermally conductive probe and the wall is from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm.

[0016] In some implementations, the temperature sensor is the first temperature sensor of the wearable device, and the wearable device further includes a second temperature sensor mounted on a first surface of the circuit board, which is separated from the first temperature sensor. In some implementations, one or more processors are configured to receive one or more signals from the first and temperature sensors and determine the body temperature of the subject based on the received signals.

[0017] In some implementations, the wearable device further includes a plurality of electrodes for monitoring the subject's heart activity and a plurality of cables configured to facilitate electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit board of the hub via an electrical connection between the dock and the hub when the hub and the dock are fixed to each other. In some implementations, the dock further includes a circuit layer, and the plurality of cables are configured to facilitate electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the circuit layer. In some implementations, the plurality of electrodes are external electrodes configured to be fixed to the subject's skin away from the dock, and the wearable device further includes at least one internal electrode operably positioned by the dock. In some implementations, the wearable device includes two internal electrodes spaced apart from each other and operably positioned by the dock.

[0018] Disclosed herein is a wearable device configured to measure a subject's physiological parameters. The wearable device can include a dock having a plurality of protrusions, a dock circuit layer having a plurality of conductive strips positioned along the plurality of protrusions, and a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with the dock circuit layer. The wearable device can also include a hub configured to be removably fixed to the dock, the hub having a housing with a plurality of openings, and a hub circuit layer disposed inside the housing. When the hub and the dock are fixed to each other, the plurality of protrusions of the frame extend towards the plurality of openings of the hub's housing, contacting a portion of the hub circuit layer with the plurality of conductive strips, and facilitating smooth electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the hub circuit layer.

[0019] Disclosed herein are systems comprising one of the implementations of a wearable device described above or elsewhere herein, and a charging device. In some implementations, the charging device comprises a plurality of charging cavities, each of which is configured to receive at least a portion of a hub and to charge the battery of the hub.

[0020] For the purpose of summarizing this disclosure, several aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It should be understood that not all such aspects, advantages, or features are necessarily embodied in any particular implementation of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art will recognize from this disclosure that there are countless combinations of such aspects, advantages, or features.

[0021] Some features of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. The illustrated implementations are intended to illustrate, and not limit, those implementations. Various features of different disclosed implementations can be combined to form further implementations that constitute part of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of a wearable device fixed to a subject according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 1B] This is a top perspective view of the wearable device shown in Figure 1A according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 1C] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of the wearable device in which the hub according to an aspect of the present disclosure has been removed from the dock assembly. [Figure 1D] Figure 1A is a bottom perspective view of the wearable device in which the hub according to an aspect of the present disclosure has been removed from the dock assembly. [Figure 1E] This is a schematic diagram of the wearable device shown in Figure 1A according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]This is a top perspective view of the dock of the dock assembly shown in Figure 1C according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] This is a top perspective view of the dock of the dock assembly shown in Figure 1D according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] Figures 2A and 2B show exploded top perspective views of the dock according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 2D] Figures 2A and 2B show disassembled bottom perspective views of the dock according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 2E] Figures 2A and 2B are bottom views of the dock frame and electrical components according to aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 3A] Figure 2A is an exploded top perspective view of the dock frame and electronic components according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3B] Figure 2B is an exploded bottom perspective view of the dock frame and electronic components according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3C] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame identified in Figure 3A according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3D] This is a side view of a portion of the frame of Figure 3A according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4A] This is a top perspective view of the hub in Figure 1C according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4B] This is a top perspective view of the hub in Figure 1D according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4C] Figures 1C to 1D show bottom perspective views of the hub according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 4D] These are top views of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4E] These are bottom views of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4F] Figures 1C to 1D are first end views of the hub according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4G] This is a second end view of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4H] Figures 1C to 1D are first side views of the hub according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4I]This is a second side view of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4J] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the hub as identified in Figure 4F according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 4K] Figures 1C to 1D show exploded top perspective views of the hub according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4L] Figures 1C to 1D show an exploded bottom perspective view of the hub according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 5A] Figures 1C to 1D show disassembled top perspective views of the electronic hub assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 5B] Figures 1C to 1D show disassembled bottom perspective views of the electronic hub assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6A] These are top views of the circuit layers of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6B] These are bottom views of the circuit layers of the hub shown in Figures 1C to 1D according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7A] This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a wearable device fixed to a subject in an exemplary use case according to an aspect of the present disclosure, as identified in Figure 1B. [Figure 7B] This is a bottom perspective view of a cross-sectional view of a wearable device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, as identified in Figure 1B. [Figure 8A] This is a top perspective view of a charger according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] This is a top perspective view of a charger according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] This is a top perspective view of a charger according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8D] This is a bottom perspective view of the charger shown in Figure 8A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8E] This is a bottom perspective view of the charger shown in Figure 8B according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8F] This is a bottom perspective view of the charger shown in Figure 8C according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8G] Figures 8A to 8C are top views of the charger according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8H] Figures 8A to 8C are bottom views of the charger according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8I] These are front views of the charger shown in Figures 8A to 8C according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8J] Figures 8A to 8C are rear views of the charger according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 8K] Figures 8A to 8C are first side views of the charger according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8L] Figures 8A to 8C are second side views of the charger according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 8M] Figures 8A to 8C show a top perspective view of the charger with the hub positioned within a portion of it in an exemplary use state according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8N] Figures 8A-8C are side views of the charger in another exemplary use case according to an aspect of the present disclosure, in which multiple hubs are mounted on a wall positioned within a portion of the charger. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The various features and advantages of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is by nature illustrative and is not intended in any way to limit the disclosure, its application, or use. This disclosure extends beyond the implementations and / or uses specifically disclosed, as well as their obvious modifications and equivalents. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited by any particular implementation described below. The features of the illustrated implementations may be modified, combined, deleted, and / or replaced in a manner that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, given the principles disclosed herein.

[0024] Disclosed herein are wearable devices that can be used to measure, monitor, process, determine, and / or transmit (for example, wirelessly) one or more physiological parameters and / or other parameters of a subject (which may also be referred to herein as “user,” “patient,” or “wearer”). One or more physiological parameters and / or other parameters of a subject may include cardiac activity and / or function, body temperature (e.g., core body temperature), supine position, posture, and / or movement. A subject’s supine position, posture, and / or movement may include movement within an environment, such as the subject’s supine position relative to a surface such as a bed, steps and / or type and / or amount of movement, falls, and / or similar. In some implementations, the wearable devices disclosed herein may be configured to measure, monitor, process, determine, and / or transmit other physiological parameters of a subject, such as lung activity and / or function, body sounds, and / or similar. The wearable devices disclosed herein may also include one or more user inputs (which may also be referred to herein as “user input devices”) that enable a subject to interact with the wearable device. Various implementations of the wearable devices disclosed herein may be configured to be removablely attached to a subject, for example, via an adhesive substrate. Also disclosed herein are chargers configured to charge wearable devices and / or their components as described herein.

[0025] Some implementations of the disclosed wearable device (or part of such device) are disposable, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination among multiple subjects. Some implementations of the disclosed wearable device (or part of such device) are waterproof, thereby minimizing disruption to the subject's normal activities (e.g., showering). Various implementations of the disclosed wearable device include two separable components (which may also be referred to as “separable parts”). In such implementations, a first component of those components is configured to be attached to a part of the subject (e.g., the subject’s skin), and a second component of those components may be configured to be attached to the first component (e.g., detachably attached). In some implementations, the second component is separated from the subject’s skin and / or does not come into contact with the subject’s skin when attached to the first component during use. In some implementations, the first and second components are configured such that their separation is suppressed or prevented when the first component is attached to the subject, but permitted when the first component is not attached to the subject. Such implementations may be advantageous in scenarios where it is desirable to suppress or prevent the subject from interfering with the operation of the wearable device. In some implementations, the wearable device includes a button configured to transition the wearable device (or a part thereof, such as the second component described above) between a non-operating mode and an operating mode. In some such implementations, such a button is inaccessible (for example, by the subject wearing the wearable device and / or another person, such as a healthcare provider) unless the first and second components are separated from each other.Such an implementation can advantageously prevent a subject (e.g., a child) from intentionally or unintentionally turning off the wearable device while it is attached to the subject (which, in some circumstances, can ensure proper compliance). Such “first component” may be any of the docks and / or dock assemblies disclosed herein, and such “second component” may be any of the hubs disclosed herein.

[0026] Some implementations of the wearable devices disclosed herein are configured to monitor a subject's electrocardiogram (ECG) activity. For example, some implementations of the wearable devices disclosed herein include multiple electrodes for monitoring a subject's cardiac activity and / or function. Such electrodes may be configured to output one or more signals in response to the subject's electrical activity, such as the subject's cardiac electrical activity. Such multiple electrodes may include one or more external electrodes and / or one or more internal electrodes. Such external electrodes may be configured to be fixed to the subject's body. Furthermore, such external electrodes may be able to electrically communicate with other parts of the wearable device described herein via cables. Outputs from such electrodes may be received by one or more hardware processors of the wearable device to determine the subject's ECG. The wearable devices described herein may incorporate any of the features described with respect to any of the devices, assemblies, methods, and / or systems described and / or illustrated in Patent Document 1, title "ELECTROCARDIOGRAM DEVICE," which is incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes.

[0027] Some implementations of the disclosed wearable device include temperature sensors. Some implementations of the disclosed wearable device include multiple temperature sensors that, when in use, are operably positioned in different configurations relative to each other and relative to the subject's skin. Such configurations may allow the temperature in each of these different configurations to be determined and compared with one another. In some implementations, the thermal paths between the temperature sensors (which may be referred to as "thermal paths" or "heat flow paths") are defined by air, an insulating element, and / or a thermally conductive element, which can provide additional information if the thermal properties (e.g., thermal conductivity value) are known. Differences between measurements at various sensors among the temperature sensors may be used to provide a more accurate estimate of the subject's body temperature (e.g., core body temperature). Some implementations include two or more temperature sensors, one or more of which are at least partially thermally coupled to the subject's skin / body (when the wearable device is in use), and one or more of which are at least partially insulated and / or isolated from the subject's skin / body. Some implementations include an air gap and / or a circuit layer or part of a circuit board (which may act as insulation) between one or more temperature sensors. The temperature values ​​determined based on each temperature sensor may be compared and used to approximate the subject's core body temperature (which may also be referred to herein as “body temperature”). In various implementations, thermally conductive probes may be used to transfer energy from the substrate of the wearable device (which may be in close contact with the subject's skin) to and / or to substantially aligned temperature sensors. The wearable devices described herein may incorporate any of the features described with respect to any of the devices, assemblies, methods, and / or systems described and / or illustrated in Patent Document 2, filed September 20, 2022, titled “WEARABLE DEVICE FOR NONINVASIVE BODY TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT”, which is incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes.

[0028] Some implementations of the disclosed wearable device are configured to monitor a subject's supine position, posture, and / or movement. For example, a disclosed implementation of the wearable device may be configured to monitor a subject's supine position relative to a surface (such as a bed), movement within the environment (steps, type and / or amount of movement, and / or movement that may interfere with or affect physiological monitoring of the subject by the wearable device), falls, and / or similar. A wearable device implementation disclosed herein includes a motion sensor which may include an inertial motion unit and / or one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes, and data from such a motion sensor may be used to determine a subject's supine position, posture, and / or movement over time. The wearable devices described herein may incorporate any of the features described with respect to any of the devices, assemblies, methods, and / or systems described and / or illustrated in Patent Document 3, filed October 10, 2019, titled "PATIENT MONITORING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED USER INTERFACE," filed October 6, 2022, titled "PATIENT MONITORING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED USER INTERFACE," and Patent Document 5, filed July 5, 2021, titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PATIENT FALL DETECTION," which are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes.

[0029] Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a wearable device 100 (which may also be referred to as a “physiological monitoring device”) immobilized on Subject 1. The wearable device 100 may be configured to be immobilized on the skin of Subject 1 (for example, to be detachably immobilized). For example, and as shown in Figure 1A, the wearable device 100 may be configured to be immobilized on the torso and / or part thereof of Subject 1, such as the chest and / or abdomen of Subject 1. In addition to being immobilized on the torso of Subject 100, or as an alternative thereto, the wearable device 100 may be immobilized, attached to, or otherwise immobilized on various parts of the subject’s body. The wearable device 100 is immobilized on the skin of Subject 100 and can non-invasively measure, monitor, process, determine, and / or transmit (for example, wirelessly) one or more physiological parameters of Subject 1 as described herein. In some implementations, the implantation of the wearable device 100 and / or a part thereof on a part of a subject's body facilitates one or more measurement, monitoring, processing, decision, and / or transmission functions of the wearable device 100. The wearable device 100 can perform such measurement, monitoring, processing, decision, and / or transmission using one or more sensors and / or components as described herein. The wearable device 100 can communicate wirelessly with separate devices and / or systems (for example, by wirelessly transmitting physiological and / or other information of a subject continuously or periodically to separate devices and / or systems).

[0030] The wearable device 100 may be attached to the skin of a subject using any form of medically appropriate adhesive material. For example, one or more parts of the wearable device 100 may include an adhesive material (e.g., a medical-grade adhesive) that can enable the wearable device 100 or part thereof to be fixed to the skin of a subject (e.g., to be fixed in a removable manner). In another example, the wearable device 100 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive that is coated or applied to the bottom surface or one or more parts of the wearable device 100 to fix the wearable device 100 or part thereof to the skin of a subject. In yet another example, the wearable device may be fixed to the skin of a subject with an adhesive that encloses the wearable device 100 or one or more parts thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that many other materials and techniques may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure to attach the wearable device 100 or part thereof to a subject.

[0031] The wearable device 100 may include a first component that can be fixed (e.g., detachably fixed) to a subject, and a second component that can be fixed to such a first component. In some implementations, such first and second components of the wearable device 100 may be detachable from each other. In some implementations, such first component includes one or more substrates configured to adhere to the skin (e.g., detachably attached). In some implementations, such first component includes one or more electronic components and / or sensors of the wearable device 100, and such second component includes one or more electronic components and / or sensors of the wearable device 100. In such implementations, the first and second components may be configured to communicate electrically with each other when fixed together. In some implementations, the intended service lives of the first and second components may differ. For example, if the first component includes one or more substrates fixed to the subject's skin, the intended service life of the first component may be shorter than the intended service life of the second component. In such a configuration, the first component may be discarded and replaced, and the second component may be fixed with a new first component. This is advantageous if the substrate loses its integrity and / or degrades after a certain period of time. One configuration of such a first component is a dock 201 and / or dock assembly 200, each described further below. One configuration of such a second component is a hub 300, which is described further below.

[0032] Figures 1B to 1D illustrate various perspective views of the wearable device 100 of Figure 1A. As shown, the wearable device 100 may comprise a dock 201 and a hub 300. In some implementations, the wearable device 100 comprises a dock assembly 200 including the dock 201 and further cables 203 and electrodes 204 (more described below). As described in more detail herein and shown in Figures 1C to 1D, the hub 300 (which may also be referred to herein as the “sensor hub”) may be detachably fixed to the dock 201 and the dock assembly 200 (which may also be referred to herein as the “sensor dock assembly”). The dock assembly 200 may include a plurality of electrodes 204 and a plurality of cables 203 configured to facilitate electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes 204 and the dock 201. For this purpose, the cable 203 may be mechanically and electrically connected to the dock 201, extending from the dock 201, and mechanically and electrically connected to the electrodes 204. As illustrated, each electrode 204 may be connected to the dock 201 by a dedicated cable 203. Furthermore, each electrode 204 may be fixed to the subject via the cable 203, away from the dock 201 (as shown in Figure 1A), in a position for determining cardiac activity and / or function. The dock assembly 200 may also include one or more electrodes (e.g., electrode 202 as described with reference to Figure 1E) operably positioned by the dock 201. The dock assembly 200 may also include one or more substrates (as described herein) configured to fix the wearable device 100 (or a part thereof) to the skin of the subject 1. The dock assembly 200 may be formed as a single integrated component. In some implementations, the wearable device 100 comprises a dock 201, a cable 203, an electrode 204, one or more electrodes (e.g., electrode 202) positioned by the dock 201, one or more substrates, and a hub 300. The hub 300 may be configured to be detachably fixed to the dock 201.As described in more detail herein, the dock 201 and dock assembly 200 can be fixed to the skin of subject 1 and the sensors of the wearable device 100 can be operably positioned relative to subject 1.

[0033] The wearable device 100 is shown in Figures 1A to 1D as having two electrodes 204 and two cables 203, but this is not intended to be limiting. The wearable device 100 may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven or more cables 203 and / or a corresponding number of electrodes 204.

[0034] Figure 1E illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of a wearable device 100. The wearable device 100 may comprise one or more processors 302 (e.g., hardware processors), a storage device 304, a communication module 306, a battery 308, an information element 310, one or more temperature sensors 312, a user input 314, one or more status indicators 316, a motion sensor 318, one or more other sensors 320, one or more electrodes 202, an information element 206, one or more other sensors 208, and / or one or more electrodes 204. In an implementation of the wearable device 100 that includes a hub 300 and a dock assembly 200, the hub 300 may comprise one or more processors 302 (e.g., hardware processors), a storage device 304, a communication module 306, a battery 308, an information element 310, one or more temperature sensors 312, a user input 314, one or more status indicators 316, a motion sensor 318, and / or one or more other sensors 320. In addition to such an implementation, the dock assembly 200 may comprise one or more electrodes 202, an information element 206, one or more other sensors 208, and / or one or more electrodes 204. In some implementations, the dock 201 of the wearable device 100 comprises one or more electrodes 202, an information element 206, one or more other sensors 208, and / or one or more electrodes 204.

[0035] The processor 302 may be configured to process data, execute instructions to perform one or more functions, and / or control the operation of the wearable device 100 and / or its components. For example, the processor 302 may process physiological data and / or other data acquired from the wearable device 100 (e.g., relating to cardiac activity and / or function, temperature, exercise, posture, supine position, and / or positional data) and execute instructions to perform functions related to storing and / or transmitting such physiological data and / or other data. For example, the processor 302 may process received data.

[0036] The storage device 304 may include, but is not limited to, one or more memory devices for storing data and / or computer executable instructions, including dynamic and / or static random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. Such stored data may be, for example, processed and / or unprocessed physiological data and / or other data obtained from the wearable device 100.

[0037] The communication module 306 can facilitate communication (via wired and / or wireless connections) between the wearable device 100 (and / or its components) and separate devices such as external monitoring devices and / or mobile devices. For example, the communication module 306 may be configured to enable the wearable device 100 to communicate wirelessly with other devices, systems, and / or networks using any of a variety of communication protocols. The communication module 306 may be configured to use any of a variety of wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi® (802.11x), Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Z-wave®, cellular, infrared, near-field communication (NFC), RFID, satellite transmission, proprietary protocols, combinations thereof, and similar. The communication module 306 can enable data and / or commands to be transmitted to and / or received from the wearable device 100 and separate computing devices. The communication module 306 may be configured to transmit processed and / or unprocessed physiological or other information to a separate computing device (for example, wirelessly), which may include, among other things, a mobile device (e.g., an iOS or Android smartphone, tablet, or laptop), a desktop computer, a server, or other computing or processing device for display and / or further processing. Such a separate computing device may be configured to store and / or further process the received physiological and / or other information, display information indicating the received information or information derived from the received information, and / or transmit the information—including displays, alarms, warnings, and notifications—to various other types of computing devices and / or systems that may be associated with hospitals, healthcare professionals (e.g., a primary care physician), and / or designated persons (e.g., an employer, school, friend, or family) who have the authority to access the subject's data.As another example, the communication module 306 of the wearable device 100 may be configured to wirelessly transmit processed and / or unprocessed acquired physiological and / or other information (e.g., relating to cardiac activity and / or function, exercise, posture, supine position, and / or placement data) to a mobile phone, which may comprise one or more hardware processors configured to run an application that generates a graphical user interface displaying information representative of the processed or unprocessed physiological and / or other information acquired from the wearable device 100. In some implementations, the communication module 306 may transmit data to and / or receive data from the subject's electronic medical record. In some implementations, the wearable device 100 may be used for telemedicine. For example, subject 1 may be sent home wearing the wearable device 100, and the device may transmit data to the cloud for review by a healthcare professional. The communication module 306 may be embodied in one or more components that communicate with each other. The communication module 306 may include a wireless transceiver, an antenna, and / or near-field communication (NFC) components, such as an antenna 362 and / or an NFC transponder 361, which are described further below.

[0038] The battery 308 can supply power for the hardware components of the wearable device 100 as described herein. For example, the battery 308 may be a lithium battery, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-ion polymer battery, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. In some implementations, the battery 308 may be non-rechargeable. In such implementations, the battery life may be one week or more, two weeks or more, four weeks or more, two months or more, or longer or shorter than these durations. In some implementations, the wearable device 100 may include a removable battery isolator configured to electrically isolate the battery 308 from other electronic components of the wearable device 100 until the subject or healthcare professional wishes to use the wearable device 100. In addition to or alternatively, the wearable device 100 may be configured to receive power from an external power source. For example, the wearable device 100 may include, or be configured to connect to, a cable that can connect itself to an external power source to supply power to the wearable device 100. In an implementation where the battery 308 is rechargeable, the wearable device 100 or a part thereof, such as the hub 300 of the wearable device 100, may be configured to be charged by a charger. For example, the hub 300 having the battery 308 may be configured to be charged by the charger 400 described herein. In an implementation where the wearable device 100 is configured to connect to a power cable, the wearable device 100 (e.g., the hub 300) may have a port for receiving such a power cable. Such a port may be located, for example, on the side, corner, or end of the wearable device 100 (e.g., the hub 300 of the wearable device 100 as described herein) and may operably connect such an external power source to the battery 308 and / or associated electronic components of the wearable device 100.In some implementations, the wearable device 100 is configured for inductive charging and / or wireless charging.

[0039] The information element 310 may be a memory storage element that stores information in non-volatile memory used to help maintain quality standards related to the wearable device 100. Exemplarily, the information element 310 may store information regarding whether the wearable device 100 has already been started and whether the wearable device 100 has already been in operation for a long period of time, such as 4 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, 10 days, or 20 days. The information stored in the information element 310 may be used, for example, to help detect improper reuse of the wearable device 100.

[0040] One or more temperature sensors 312 can acquire temperature data of a subject continuously or periodically. Advantageously, in some implementations, the processor 302 can compare temperature data from multiple temperature sensors 312 (e.g., temperature sensors 312a, 312b, and / or 312c as described herein) to more accurately determine the subject's body temperature (e.g., internal body temperature). Each of the temperature sensors 312 can generate one or more signals in response to detected thermal energy, and such one or more signals can be received by the processor 302 for determining the body temperature value of subject 1. In addition, or alternatively, each of the temperature sensors 312 can determine a temperature value and transmit such a temperature value to the processor 302 to determine the body temperature value. The temperature sensors 312 may be, for example, thermistors or integrated circuit (IC) temperature sensors. The wearable device 100 can incorporate temperature sensors, associated structures, and / or associated methods for determining the subject's temperature that are similar to or identical to those described and / or illustrated in Patent Document 2, incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] User input 314 may enable a subject (or healthcare professional) to interact with the wearable device 100. User input 314 may be used, for example, to transition the wearable device 100 from a non-operating mode to an operating mode (and vice versa), or to perform other actions. Referring at least to Figure 4L, the wearable device 100 (for example, the hub 300 of the wearable device 100 as described herein) may include a button 338 configured to activate a switch 371, which may be one implementation of user input 314.

[0042] The status indicator 316 may be configured to indicate the status of the wearable device 100, including, among other things, the charge state or lifespan of the battery 308 of the wearable device 100, the mode in which the wearable device 100 is operating, the status of the wireless connection with an external device, and / or an error state. The status indicator may be implemented as one or more radiators configured to emit light, such as at least those illustrated in Figure 5A.

[0043] The motion sensor 318 (which may also be referred to herein as the “Inertial Measurement Unit” or “IMU”) may be configured to measure and / or monitor the subject’s motion, supine position, posture, and / or placement. The motion sensor 318 may comprise one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes. The motion sensor 318 may generate one or more signals in response to the detected motion, supine position, posture, and / or placement of the subject. One or more of the processors 302 may be configured to receive the subject’s motion, supine position, posture, and / or placement data from the motion sensor 318. In addition, one or more of the processors 302 may determine the subject’s motion, supine position, posture, and / or placement based on the data received from the motion sensor 318. For example, the wearable device 100 may comprise the motion sensor 318 capable of measuring static and / or dynamic acceleration and / or angular velocity. By measuring static and / or dynamic acceleration forces and / or angular velocity, the motion sensor 318 can be used to calculate the movement and / or relative position of the wearable device 100. The motion sensor 318 may include one or more of the following, and / or combinations thereof: AC response accelerometers (e.g., charge-mode piezoelectric accelerometers / or voltage-mode piezoelectric accelerometers), DC response accelerometers (e.g., capacitive accelerometers, piezoresistive accelerometers), microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes, hemispherical resonator gyroscopes (HRGs), vibrating structural gyroscopes (VSGs), dynamic tuning gyroscopes (DTGs), optical fiber gyroscopes (FOGs), ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs), and similar devices. The motion sensor 318 can measure one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional acceleration forces and / or angular velocity forces. Using the calculated position and movement data, a subject wearing the wearable device 100 and / or another person (e.g., a healthcare worker) may be able to map the position or movement vector of the wearable device 100.Any number of motion sensors 318 may be used to collect enough data to determine the position and / or movement of the wearable device 100. As such, in some implementations, the wearable device 100 comprises multiple motion sensors 318. The wearable device 100 may be configured to determine and / or track the number of steps and / or distance walked by a subject based on data from the motion sensors 318.

[0044] Integrating at least one motion sensor 318 (e.g., one or more of a combination of an accelerometer and / or gyroscope) into the wearable device 100 can offer many advantages. For example, the wearable device 100 may be configured to stop determining and / or transmitting physiological parameters when movement is detected above a threshold (e.g., by the processor 302). As another example, the wearable device 100 may be configured such that electrodes 202, 204, and / or temperature sensor 312 do not operate when movement is detected above and / or below a threshold, and / or physiological parameters based on electrodes 202, 204, and / or temperature sensor 312 are not determined until, for example, the subject's movement falls below such a threshold. This can favorably reduce or prevent noise, inaccurate, and / or erroneous physiological data from being processed, transmitted, and / or relied upon. In addition, the wearable device 100 may be configured to initiate the determination and / or transmission of physiological parameters when movement is detected to exceed a threshold (for example, via the processor 302).

[0045] Several implementations of the wearable device 100 may be used to determine whether a subject has fallen. For example, supine and / or motion data may be obtained from the wearable device 100 to determine whether a subject has fallen. As another example, the wearable device 100 may communicate with an external device to indicate that a subject has fallen. The wearable device 100 may incorporate motion sensors, associated structures, and / or associated methods for determining a subject's supine, motion, posture, and / or activity, which are similar to or identical to those described and / or illustrated in Patent Documents 3 and 5, which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0046] In some implementations, the wearable device 100 includes one or more other sensors 320 and / or 208. For example, the hub 300 may include one or more other sensors 320, and / or the dock assembly 200 (e.g., dock 201) may include one or more other sensors 208. The other sensors 320, 208 may, among other things, include one or more acoustic sensors (e.g., microphones) and / or one or more optical sensors (e.g., pulse oximetry sensors). Such other sensors 320, 208 may be operably connected to the processor 302 for determining the subject's body sounds, such as cardiac and / or lung function (in the case of acoustic sensors), and / or for determining one or more pulse oximetry values ​​of the subject (in the case of optical sensors).

[0047] Electrodes 202 (which may also be referred to herein as the "ECG electrode," "internal electrode," or "internal ECG electrode") and 204 (which may also be referred to herein as the "ECG electrode," "external electrode," or "external ECG electrode") may be configured to continuously or periodically measure and / or monitor the cardiac activity (which may also be referred to herein as "electrical cardiac activity") of subject 1. Each electrode 202, 204 may generate one or more signals in response to detected cardiac activity, and such one or more signals may be received by the processor 302 to determine the subject's such cardiac activity and / or cardiac function. For example, such one or more signals may be used, among other things, for ST / QT segment analysis, beat classification, and / or arrhythmia detection.

[0048] The wearable device 100 (for example, the docking assembly 200) may comprise one or more electrodes 204. For example, the wearable device 100 may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight or more electrodes 204. The electrodes 204 may include a substrate configured to removably fix the electrodes 204 to the subject 1 (for example, to the subject 1's skin). The substrate may be configured to allow repositioning of the electrodes 204 if necessary. The substrate may provide improved electrical conductivity between the electrodes 204 and the subject 1. The substrate may be waterproof. The substrate may be, for example, a silicone adhesive. In some implementations, each of the electrodes 204 may include a design (such as a specific design) that can be used to give instructions to the subject or caregiver when implanting and / or positioning the electrodes 204 on the subject's body.

[0049] The wearable device 100 (for example, a dock assembly 200, a dock 201) may have one or more electrodes 202. For example, the wearable device 100 may have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight or more electrodes 202. The electrodes 202 may be operably positioned by the dock 201. The dock 201 may have one or more substrates, as described herein, on which the dock 201 and the electrodes 202 can be fixed to the subject 1. In some implementations, one of the electrodes 202 is configured to be a ground electrode or a reference electrode.

[0050] In some implementations, the wearable device 100 may be configured as a 3-lead ECG device. For this purpose, the wearable device 100 may have two electrodes 202 and two electrodes 204. Two electrodes 202 may be fixed to the upper left chest of subject 1 via a dock 201. One of such electrodes 202 may be configured as the "RL," "right leg," "reference," or "ground" electrode, and the other electrode 202 may be configured as the "LA" or "left arm" electrode. One of such electrodes 204 may be configured as the "LL" or "left leg" electrode and may be fixed to the lower left portion of subject 1's abdomen, and the other electrode 204 may be configured as the "RR" or "right arm" electrode and may be fixed to the upper right chest of subject 1. In some implementations, the wearable device 100 may be configured as a 6-lead ECG device or may have different ECG lead configurations.

[0051] The wearable device 100 may incorporate electrodes, associated structures, and / or associated methods for determining subject cardiac activity and / or cardiac function that are similar to or identical to those described and / or illustrated in Patent Document 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] Figures 2A to 2E illustrate various views of the dock 201 of the wearable device 100. Figures 2A to 2B illustrate top perspective views of the dock 201, Figures 2C to 2D illustrate exploded perspective views of the dock 201, and Figure 2E illustrates a bottom view of a portion of the dock 201. The dock 201 may have a first end 211, a second end 212 opposite the first end 211, a first side 213, and a second side 214 opposite the first side 213. The dock 201 (which may also be referred to herein as the “base”) may include one or more substrates, such as substrates 291, 292, 293 and / or 294 shown in Figures 2C to 2D. The dock 201 may also include a frame 205 coupled to one or more substrates (for example, coupled to at least one of substrates 291, 292, 293, and / or 294). The dock 201 may include one or more mechanical connectors, such as mechanical connectors 231 and / or 232, configured to secure the hub 300 to the dock 201 (for example, to secure it detachably) (for example, to secure the hub 300 to the dock assembly 200). As further illustrated, the dock 201 may include a circuit layer, such as a dock circuit layer 270 (which may also be referred to herein as a “circuit board” or “flexible circuit layer”). Such a circuit layer may include a plurality of conductive strips, such as a conductive strip 273 (which may be referred to herein as an “electrode conductive strip”) and / or a conductive strip 274 (which may be referred to herein as an “information element conductive strip”). The dock 201 may comprise a plurality of protrusions, such as projection 253 (which may also be referred to herein as a “finger”) and / or projection 254 (which may also be referred to herein as a “finger”). Multiple conductive strips of the circuit layer may be positioned along the plurality of protrusions. In some implementations, the dock 201 includes and operably positions the electrode 202 as described herein.Furthermore, in some implementations, the dock 201 includes an opening, such as an opening 221 (which may be referred to herein as the “probe opening”), configured to receive at least partially through one or more parts and / or components of the hub 300 (for example, the wall 345 and / or thermal conductive probe 374 of the hub 300 as described herein). The dock 201 may also include one or more components, such as a gasket 234, configured to form a seal (for example, a watertight or substantially watertight seal) with the hub 300 when the hub 300 is fixed thereto.

[0053] The mechanical connectors 231 and 232 may be configured to engage with corresponding mechanical connectors on the hub 300 (for example, the mechanical connectors 341 and 342 of the hub 300 as described herein) to hold the hub 300 in place relative to the dock 201. The mechanical connector 231 may be positioned close to the first end 211 of the dock 201, and the mechanical connector 232 may be positioned close to the second end 212 of the dock 201. The frame 205 may include such mechanical connectors 231 and 232. The mechanical connector 231 may be, for example, a clip extending outward from the first surface 215 of the frame 205 and may be configured to bend and / or flex (for example, when securing the hub 300 to and / or removing it from the dock 201). Such a first surface 215 may face the hub 300 when the hub 300 is secured to the frame 205 (for example, when the hub 300 is secured to the dock 201). The mechanical connector 231 may have a projection that can extend toward a second end 212 configured to assist in securing the hub 300 to the dock 201 (for example, toward the mechanical connector 232). The mechanical connector 232 may be, for example, a clasp extending outward from the first surface 215 of the frame 205. Furthermore, the mechanical connector 232 may have a recess extending inward toward the second end 212 configured to assist in securing the hub 300 to the dock 201. The interaction between mechanical connectors 231, 232 and the corresponding mechanical connectors on the hub 300 (for example, mechanical connectors 341, 342 on the hub 300) can advantageously enable and maintain electrical communication between the dock 201 and the hub 300. In some modifications, the dock 201 may include fewer than two mechanical connectors or more than two mechanical connectors. For example, in some modifications, the dock 201 may include only one of the mechanical connectors 231, 232.

[0054] The frame 205 may include a wall 217 extending from the first surface 215 along and / or around the outside and / or periphery of the frame 205 (for example, at least partially along and / or around it). The wall 217 may be configured to accommodate the periphery of the hub 300 (for example, it may be sized and shaped). The frame 205 may include an opening 225 configured to accommodate cables 203 connected to electrodes 204 (for example, adjacent to and / or through the wall 217). For example, the frame 205 may include an opening 225 for each cable 203 connected to the dock 201. Such an opening 225 may, but is not intended to be limited, be adjacent to the second end 212 of the dock 201, as shown.

[0055] The frame 205 may include projections 253 and / or 254. The projections 253 and 254 extend outward from the first surface 215 of the frame 205, thereby positioning the associated conductive strips 273 and 274 of the dock circuit layer 270 outward from the first surface 215 of the frame 205. In some configurations, the conductive strips 273 and 274 may be operably positioned by and / or coupled to the projections 253 and 254 (for example, positioned along them). The conductive strips 273 and 274 may be coupled to and positioned along and / or operably positioned along one of the different projections 253 and 254. The projections 253 and 254, the conductive strips 273 and 274, the dock circuit layer 270, and the frame 205 are further described with reference to Figures 3A to 3D.

[0056] The opening 221 of the dock 201 may be close to the first end 211 of the dock 201. The frame 205 may have an opening 221. The opening 221 may extend from a first surface 215 of the frame 205 (which may also be referred to herein as the “top”) to a second surface 216 of the frame 205 (which may also be referred to herein as the “bottom”) opposite the first surface 215 (for example, the opening 221 may penetrate part of the frame 205). As described above, the opening 221 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe 374 of the hub 300 through it at least partially. The opening 221 may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the wall 345 of the hub 300 through it at least partially.

[0057] Referring to Figures 2C to 2D, the dock 201 may include one or more of the substrates 291, 292, 293, and / or 294. The substrate 291 may include foam and be configured to surround the frame 205 when the dock 201 is assembled. The substrate 291 may have openings that are sized and / or shaped to match the size and / or shape around the frame 205.

[0058] The substrate 292 may include an adhesive material configured to fix the second surface 216 of the substrate 291 and / or frame 205 to the substrate 230 and / or substrate 231. The substrate 292 may be, for example, a double-sided adhesive layer. The substrate 292 may have one or more of the openings 292a, 292b, and 292c. The opening 229a may be sized and / or shaped to allow the electrode 202 to contact a portion of the substrate 294. The number of openings 229a may correspond to the number of electrodes 202. The opening 229a may be dimensioned to accommodate the electrode 202. The opening 229b may be positioned close to the opening 221 of the frame 205 and configured to allow the thermal conductive probe 374 and / or wall 345 of the hub 300 to contact a portion of the substrate 293 when the hub 300 is secured by the dock 201. In some implementations, the opening 229a may have a size and / or shape substantially similar to that of the opening 221. The opening 292c may be positioned in close proximity to the projections 253, 254 and have a size and / or shape substantially similar to the opening 257 of a portion of the frame 205 as described with reference to Figures 3A-3C.

[0059] The substrate 293 may be fixed (e.g., glued) to the substrate 292 as described above. The substrate 293 may have openings 293a that are sized and / or shaped to allow electrodes 202 to contact a portion of the substrate 294. The number of openings 293a may correspond to the number of electrodes 202. Openings 230a may be sized to accommodate electrodes 202. As described above, openings 292b in the substrate 292 may be sized and / or shaped to allow the thermal conductive probes 374 and / or walls 345 of the hub 300 to contact a portion of the substrate 293 when the hub 300 is fixed by the dock 201. Advantageously, the substrate 293 may include a thermal conductive material configured to provide a thermal connection between the subject's skin and the thermal conductive probes 374. The substrate 293 may include an electrically insulating material that can advantageously minimize or eliminate electrical interference between the subject's skin and a portion of the dock 201 in areas other than the opening 293a. The substrate 293 may be, for example, a polyethylene (PE) film.

[0060] The substrate 294 may be fixed (e.g., bonded) to the substrate 293 and form the bottom layer of the dock 201. The substrate 294 may be configured to contact the skin of subject 1 when the dock 201 is fixed to subject 1. The substrate 294 may be configured to fix to the skin of subject 1, thereby fixing the dock 201 to subject 1. For this purpose, the substrate 294 may include an adhesive material. In some implementations, the substrate 294 is the only part of the dock 201 that contacts subject 1 (for example, the substrate 294 may be positioned between the electrodes 202 and / or the thermal conductive probe 374, if included, and the subject's skin). In some implementations, the substrate 294 includes substrates 294a and 294b separated from each other by a channel 294c. Such separation between substrates 294a and 294b can provide electrical insulation between the two electrodes 202 (two of which are contained in the dock 201) so that the two substrates 294a and 294b (and their respective electrodes 202 coupled thereto) are electrically in contact with the subject's skin independently. In some implementations, the channel 294c is substantially straight. In some implementations, the channel 294c comprises a straight portion and a portion that is at least partially curved (e.g., having a meandering shape). The substrate 294 may include a conductive material. In some implementations, the substrate 294 includes a thermally conductive material. The substrate 294 may include, for example, a hydrogel.

[0061] In some implementation configurations (not shown), the dock 201 may include a release liner configured to be fixed to one or more of the above-mentioned substrates and to be removed before fixing the dock 201 to the subject 1. Such a release liner may, for example, cover a substrate 294 and / or have the same or similar shape or perimeter as the substrate 294. Furthermore, such a release liner may include claws configured to assist in peeling the release liner from one or more of the above-mentioned substrates.

[0062] Figure 2E illustrates a bottom view of dock 201 without substrates 291, 292, 293, and 294. In this bottom view, the second surface 216 of frame 205 (facing subject 1 when dock 201 is secured to subject 1) and various electrical components of dock 201 are visible. As shown, frame 205 may include an opening 260 that extends at least partially through frame 205 and is configured to receive an information element 280 and dock assembly 200 of dock 201. The information element 280 is coupled to dock circuit layer 270 and can be used to verify dock 201 and dock assembly 200 as authorized products, as described herein. Also as shown, frame 205 may include an opening 259 that extends at least partially through frame 205 and is positioned close to the connection between cable 203 and dock circuit layer 270. Each of the cables 203 may include a first wire 203a electrically connected to one of the different conductive pads 279a. In addition, each of the cables 203 may include a second wire 203b electrically connected to one of the different grounding pads 279b.

[0063] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate exploded perspective views of the electronic components of the frame 205 and the dock 201. As shown, the frame 205 may include a body 205a (which may also be referred to herein as the “first part”) and a plate 205b (which may also be referred to herein as the “second part”). The body 205a and the plate 205b may be configured to join with each other to form the frame 205. Furthermore, as shown, the dock circuit layer 270 may be positioned between the body 205a and the plate 205b. For this purpose, the body 205a and the plate 205b may be characterized by being configured to fix the dock circuit layer 270 in place with respect to the frame 205.

[0064] The body 205a may include a first surface 215, a second surface 216, a wall 217, mechanical connectors 231, 232, an opening 221, and an opening 225a that forms a first portion of the opening 225 of the frame 205. The body 205a may also include a plurality of openings 223 that penetrate the body 205a. The openings 223 may be configured to receive a conductive strip 273 positioned along a projection 253 through the openings 223. The body 205a may also include an opening 224 that penetrates the body 205a. The openings 224 may be configured to receive a conductive strip 274 positioned along a projection 254 through the openings 224. The gasket 234 described herein may be positioned on the first surface 215 adjacent to and / or around the openings 223 and 224.

[0065] The plate 205b may include a first surface 245 and a second surface 246 opposite the first surface 245. The first surface 245 of the plate 205b may face the body 205a when coupled to the body 205a. The plate 205b may include openings 260, 259, 225b forming a second portion of opening 225, projections 253, and 254 of the frame 205. The plate 205b may also include an opening 258 configured to operably position the electrode 202. Furthermore, as shown, the plate 205b may include an opening 257 at least partially enclosing projections 253 and 254.

[0066] The dock circuit layer 270 may include conductive strips 273 and 274, as described herein. Conductive strips 273 and 274 may be configured to be flexible so as to be positionable along projections 253 and 254, respectively. The dock circuit layer 270 may include an arm 275, which includes conductive pads 279a and grounding pads 279b, as described with respect to Figure 2E. As illustrated, an information element 280 may be electrically connected to the dock circuit layer 270. The dock circuit layer 270 may include an opening 276 surrounded by a conductive ring 277. The opening 276 may be configured to receive and / or position at least a portion of the electrode 202. The conductive ring 277 may be configured to electrically connect the electrode 202 to the dock circuit layer 270. The dock circuit layer 270 may be configured to electrically insulate each of the electrode 202 and / or each of the electrode 204 (if included). Furthermore, the dock circuit layer 270 may be configured such that each of the electrodes 202 and / or each of the electrodes 204 (if included) can be electrically connected to one of the different conductive strips 273. The dock circuit layer 270 may be configured to electrically isolate the information element 280 from other electrical components connected to the dock circuit layer 270. Furthermore, the dock circuit layer may be configured such that the information element 280 can be electrically connected to at least one of the conductive strips 274.

[0067] Figure 3C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of plate 205b of frame 205 as identified in Figure 3A, and Figure 3D illustrates a side view of a portion of plate 205b of frame 205. As described herein, projections 253, 254 may extend outward from frame 205. As shown, projections 253, 254 may extend outward from the first surface 245 of plate 205b. Each of projections 253, 254 may have a first end connected to a portion of frame 205 (for example, connected to a portion of plate 205b) and a second end opposite the first end. As shown, such second ends of each of projections 253, 254 may be cantilevered, for example, over an opening 257. Such a configuration may allow the projections 253, 254 to function as springs when a downward force is applied (for example, when a downward force is applied to or adjacent to the second end). The projections 253, 254 may be configured to be flexible and / or elastic. Each of the projections 253, 254 may include a curved portion that is closer to each second end than to each first end. When the hub 300 and the dock 201 are fixed to each other, such curved portions of each of the projections 253, 254 may at least partially penetrate each opening of the hub 300 (for example, openings 333 and 334 of the hub 300) and allow each conductive strip 273, 274 to contact a portion of the hub circuit layer (for example, electrical contacts 376, 377 of the hub circuit board 351 shown in Figure 4L). Such contact between the conductive strips 273, 274 and a portion of the hub circuit layer allows the hub 300 to be electrically connected to the dock 201.

[0068] Each of the projections 253 and 254 may have a convex portion 253a, 254a and a concave portion 253b, 254b, respectively. The convex portions 253a, 254a may be closer to the first ends of each projection 253 and 254. The concave portions 253b, 254b may be closer to the second ends of each projection 253 and 254. The concave portions 253b, 254b may comprise a shorter portion of the length of each projection 253 and 254 and may be shorter than the convex portions 253a, 254a and / or have a smaller radius of curvature than the convex portions 253a, 254a. When the hub 300 and the dock 201 are fixed to each other, the respective recessed portions 253b, 254b of the projections 253, 254 at least partially penetrate the respective openings of the hub 300 (e.g., openings 333 and 334 of the hub 300), allowing the respective conductive strips 273, 274 to contact a portion of the hub circuit layer (e.g., electrical contacts 376, 377 of the hub circuit board 351 shown in Figure 4L). As described above, such contact between the conductive strips 273, 274 and a portion of the hub circuit layer allows the hub 300 to be electrically connected to the dock 201.

[0069] Each of the projections 253, 254 may include bumps 255, 256, respectively, configured to facilitate contact between the conductive strips 273, 274 and a portion of the hub circuit layer (for example, electrical contacts 376, 377 of the hub circuit board 351 shown in Figure 4L). The recessed portions 253b, 254b of the projections 253, 254 may include bumps 255, 256 as shown. In some mounting configurations, the bumps 255, 256 have rounded projections.

[0070] Figures 4A to 4J illustrate various diagrams of the hub 300 of the wearable device 100. Figures 4A to 4B illustrate top perspective views of the hub 300, Figure 4C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the hub 300, and Figures 4D to 4I illustrate top view, bottom view, first end view, second end view, first side view, and second side view of the hub 300, respectively. The hub 300 may have a first end 321, a second end 322 opposite the first end 321, a first side 323, a second side 324 opposite the first side 323, a first surface 325 (which may also be referred to as the "top surface"), and a second surface 326 (which may also be referred to as the "bottom surface") opposite the first surface 325. The hub 300 may be configured to connect mechanically and electrically to the dock 201. The hub 300 may include one or more mechanical connectors, such as mechanical connectors 341 and / or 342, configured to secure the hub 300 to the dock 201 and dock assembly 200 (for example, to secure it detachably). The hub 300 may include a circuit layer, such as a circuit board 351 (which may also be referred to herein as the “hub circuit layer” or “circuit board”), as shown in Figures 4K to 6B. The hub 300 may have a plurality of openings, such as openings 333 and / or openings 334, each of which may also be referred to herein as a “projection opening”. Such a plurality of openings may allow conductive strips 273, 274 of the dock 201 to be electrically connected to a portion of the circuit layer of the hub 300. As further illustrated, the hub 300 may include a raised portion 329 configured to assist in handling the hub 300 for charging the hub 300's battery 308 and / or to assist in mating the hub 300 with the charging cavity 420 of the charger 400 described herein. The hub 300 may also include a window 317 configured to allow light emitted from the status indicator 316 to pass through.Furthermore, the hub 300 may include one or more electrical contacts and corresponding openings, such as an electrical contact 378 (which may also be referred to herein as the “charger contact”) and associated opening 337, configured to allow the battery 308 of the hub 300 to be powered by a charging device (for example, the charger 400 described herein). The hub 300 may also include a button 338 for activating a switch 371 as part of a user input 314 described herein. The hub 300 may also include one or more components for thermally coupling a temperature sensor 312a with the body of a subject, such as a thermal conductive probe 374 penetrating an opening 331. In addition, the hub 300 may include features to protect such a thermal conductive probe 374, such as a wall 345 described herein. The hub 300 may include a housing 301, which can incorporate and / or be operably positioned with respect to the hub 300, and may be configured to be fixed to the dock 201.

[0071] Mechanical connectors 341 and 342 may be configured to engage with corresponding mechanical connectors 231 and 232 on the dock 201. Mechanical connector 341 may be positioned close to a first end 321, and mechanical connector 342 may be positioned close to a second end 322. Mechanical connector 341 may have projections and recesses configured to be releasably connected to projections of the clip of mechanical connector 231 on the dock 201. Mechanical connector 342 may have projections and recesses configured to be releasably connected to the clip of mechanical connector 232 on the dock 201.

[0072] The openings 333, 334 may be configured to pass through a portion of the hub 300 (for example, a portion of the housing 301) and to receive at least portions of the conductive strips 273, 274 of the dock 201 through them, respectively. In some implementations, the openings 333, 334 may be configured to receive at least portions of the projections 253, 254 of the dock 201 through them, respectively. The openings 333, 334 may be surrounded by inwardly tapered recesses 335, 336, respectively, as shown at least in Figure 4C, to assist in positioning portions of the conductive strips 273, 274 supported by the projections 253, 254 through the openings 333, 334. For example, the inwardly tapered recesses 335, 336 can guide the projections 253, 254 supporting the conductive strips 273, 274 into and / or through the openings 333, 334.

[0073] As described above and shown in Figures 4C to 4I, and in the enlarged views of parts of the hub 300 shown in Figures 4J, 4L, 5B, and 7A to 7B, the hub 300 may include a thermal conductive probe 374 penetrating the housing 301. The thermal conductive probe 374 may have a first end 374a and a second end 374b opposite the first end. Furthermore, the thermal conductive probe 374 may have a length L from the first end 374a to the second end 374b. 374The hub 300 may have a first end 374a that can be coupled to a circuit board 351, and a second end 374b that can extend beyond the housing 301. The hub 300 may include a wall 345 that extends outward from the housing 301 (for example, from its second surface 326) and extends around at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe 374. The wall 345 may enclose the entire cross-section and / or the entire periphery of the thermal conductive probe 374. In some configurations, the wall 345 surrounds the thermal conductive probe 374. In some configurations, the wall 345 is cylindrical and the thermal conductive probe 374 is cylindrical. The wall 345 may be configured to protect the thermal conductive probe 374 from physical shocks and the like. In some implementations, the wall 345 insulates at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe 374 (for example, to prevent or minimize the dissipation of thermal energy from the thermal conductive probe 374 as it transfers heat from subject 1 to the temperature sensor 312a described herein). The wall 345 may be at least partially enclosed by a recess 346 within the housing 301. As an example, the recess 346 may include a circular recess surrounding the wall 345.

[0074] Wall 345 extends over the second surface 326 of housing 301 by an amount L 345 (This is referred to as "Length L" in this specification.) 345 It can extend by the length of (which may also be called) the diameter (for example, outer diameter) D. 345 It may have the following properties. The thermal conductive probe 374 has a quantity L that exceeds the wall 345. 375 (This is referred to as "Length L" in this specification.) 375 It can extend by the amount of (which may also be called) the second end 374b of the thermal conductive probe 374. For example, the second end 374b of the thermal conductive probe 374 can extend beyond the wall 345 so that the second end 374b is exposed. The thermal conductive probe 374 has a diameter D 374 It may have a gap 375 between the thermally conductive probe 374 and the wall 345.

[0075] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive probe 374 extends through the wall 345 by an amount (e.g., L 375 ) that is less than about 5 mm, less than about 4.5 mm, less than about 4 mm, less than about 3.5 mm, less than about 3 mm, less than about 2.5 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 1.5 mm, less than about 1 mm, or less than about 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive probe 374 extends through the wall 345 by an amount (e.g., L 375 ) that is between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm, between about 0.5 mm and about 4.5 mm, between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1.5 mm and about 3.5 mm, between about 2 mm and about 3 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 4.5 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 3.5 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 3 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 2.5 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 2 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 1.5 mm, between about 0.1 mm and about 1 mm, or between about 0.5 mm and about 1 mm. In some embodiments, a portion of the thermally conductive probe 374 that is less than about 50% of the length of the thermally conductive probe 374 extends through the wall 345. For example, in some embodiments, less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, or less than about 10% of the length (L 374 ) of the thermally conductive probe extends through the wall 345.

[0076] In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter D 345 of the wall 345 to the diameter D 374 of the thermally conductive probe 374 may be between about 5.0 and about 1.1, between about 4.0 and about 1.2, between about 3.0 and about 1.3, or between about 2.0 and about 1.4. In some embodiments, the ratio between the diameter D 345 of the wall 345 and the diameter D 374 of the thermally conductive probe 374 may be less than about 5.0, less than about 4.0, less than about 3.0, or less than about 2.0.

[0077] In some implementation configurations, the gap between the thermal conductive probe 374 and the wall 345 (e.g., gap 375) is less than approximately 2 mm, less than approximately 1.5 mm, less than approximately 1.2 mm, less than approximately 1.0 mm, less than approximately 0.8 mm, less than approximately 0.6 mm, less than approximately 0.5 mm, or less than approximately 0.4 mm. In some implementation configurations, the gap between the thermal conductive probe 374 and the wall 345 (e.g., gap 375) is between approximately 1.5 mm and approximately 0.2 mm, approximately 1.2 mm and approximately 0.3 mm, approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 0.3 mm, approximately 0.8 mm and approximately 0.4 mm, approximately 0.7 mm and approximately 0.4 mm, or approximately 0.6 mm and approximately 0.4 mm.

[0078] In some implementation configurations, the wall 345 and the thermal conductive probe 374 have a diameter D 345 , D 375 Although it has been described as having a cylindrical shape with diameter D, in some modifications the wall 345 and / or thermal conductive probe 374 have different shapes, such as square or rectangular. In such modifications the wall 345 and / or thermal conductive probe 374 have diameter D 345 , D 375 It may have a length and / or width that is equivalent to any of the values ​​or ranges described above.

[0079] Figures 4K to 4L illustrate exploded top and bottom perspective views of the hub 300, respectively. As shown, the housing 301 of the hub 300 may include a top portion 301a (which may also be referred to herein as the “top shell”) and a bottom portion 301b (which may also be referred to herein as the “bottom shell”) configured to connect with each other. In some implementations, the shells 301a and 301b are permanently fixed to each other when the hub 300 is assembled. The housing 301 may include an interior 352 formed by the top portion 301a and the bottom portion 301b. The top portion 301a may include a first surface 325 of the housing 300 and a bottom surface 327 opposite the first surface 325. The bottom portion 301b may include a second surface 326 of the housing 300 and a top surface 328 opposite the second surface 326. As further illustrated, the hub 300 may include an electronics assembly 350. The electronics assembly 350 may be located inside 352 by one or more features of the housing 300, for example.

[0080] The top portion 301a may include the first portion 341a of the mechanical connector 341 and / or the first portion 342a of the mechanical connector 342 as described herein. The bottom portion 301b may include the second portion 341b of the mechanical connector 341 and / or the second portion 342b of the mechanical connector 342 as described herein. Thus, the mechanical connectors 341 and / or 342 may be formed when the top portion 301a and the bottom portion 301b are coupled to each other.

[0081] The top portion 301a may include a cavity 349 configured to position the NFC transponder 361 as described herein. The bottom portion 301b may include an opening 331, a wall 345, and / or a recess 346 (if included) as described herein. The bottom portion 301b may include a button 338 as described herein. The bottom portion may include an opening 337 as described herein. The bottom portion 301b may include openings 333, 334 and / or corresponding inwardly tapered recesses 335, 336 as described herein. As shown in Figure 4L, the inwardly tapered recesses 335, 336 may taper inward from the second surface 326 toward the top surface 328.

[0082] The bottom surface 327 of the top portion 301a and / or the top surface 328 of the bottom portion 301b may be configured to position the electronic assembly 350 within the interior 352 of the housing 301. The bottom portion 301b may also include one or more support columns 347 configured to position the electronic assembly 350 within the interior 352 of the housing 301. Parts of the electronic assembly 350, such as the circuit board 351 and / or the frame 391, may each include one or more openings 381, 391 configured to receive the support columns 347 for such positioning. The frame 391 may be configured to assist in positioning the electronic assembly 350 within the interior 352. The electronic assembly 350 may also include a substrate 395 configured to fix the electronic assembly 350 to the hub 300 (for example, to the top surface 328 of the bottom portion 301b) (for example, by adhesive). For this purpose, the substrate 395 may be provided with double-sided adhesive.

[0083] The electronics assembly 350 may include components of the hub 300 as illustrated and described with respect to Figure 1E. For example, the electronics assembly 350 may comprise a processor 302, a storage device 304, a communication module 306, a battery 308, an information element 310, a temperature sensor 312, at least a portion of a user input 314, a status indicator 316, a motion sensor 318, and / or other sensors 320. The electronics assembly 350 may also include a circuit board 351, a frame 391, and components operably connected thereto, as shown in Figures 5A to 6B. Figures 5A to 5B illustrate exploded top perspective and exploded bottom perspective views of the electronics assembly 350, respectively. As illustrated and described herein, the electronics assembly 350 may include a circuit board 351 and associated components, a frame 391, and a board 395. The terms “electronic assembly” and the number “350” used in this disclosure are not intended to be limiting, but rather are intended merely as a convenient way of referring to one or more components of the hub 300 that may be surrounded by the shells 301a, 301b. The use of such terms and numbers is not intended to convey that including any element or function described with reference to the electronic assembly 350 necessarily requires including any or all other elements or functions described with reference to the electronic assembly 350.

[0084] As shown in the top and bottom views of the circuit board 351 in Figures 5A-5B and 6A-6B, respectively, the circuit board 351 may have a first surface 353 and a second surface 354 opposite to the first surface 353. The first surface 353 may face the top portion 301a of the housing 301, while the second surface 354 may face the bottom portion 301b of the housing 301. With such an arrangement, the first surface 353 may face the dock 201 when the hub 300 is secured by the dock 201.

[0085] The circuit board 351 may be operably coupled to a temperature sensor 312 (e.g., temperature sensors 312a, 312b, and / or 312c when included), a motion sensor 318, a processor 302, an NFC transponder 361, an antenna 362, a status indicator 316, one or more resistors 367, a battery 308, a charger contact 378, a switch 371, an information element 310, and / or a thermal conductive probe 374. The temperature sensor 312 (e.g., temperature sensors 312a, 312b, and / or 312c when included), the motion sensor 318, the processor 302, the NFC transponder 361, the antenna 362, the status indicator 316, one or more resistors 367, and / or the battery 308 may be operably coupled to the first surface 353 as shown, but such arrangements are not intended to be limiting. The charger contacts 378, switch 371, information element 310, and / or thermal conductive probe 374 may be operably coupled to the second surface 354 as shown, but such arrangements are not intended to be limiting. Electrical contacts 376, 377, as described herein, may be positioned adjacent to the second surface 354. The hub 300 may contain all components of the electronics assembly 350.

[0086] The frame 391 can be coupled to the first surface 353 of the circuit board 351. In addition to assisting in the positioning of the electronics assembly 350 within the interior 352 of the housing 301, the frame 391 may be characterized for positioning the battery 308 within the interior 352 of the housing 301. The battery 308 can be operably coupled to the circuit board 351 via the circuit 365 and the battery electrical connector 366, as shown. In some implementations, the electronics assembly 350 may include a substrate 364 configured to secure (for example, with adhesive) a portion of the battery 308 to the frame 391. The electronics assembly 350 may include a cover 363 configured to cover the battery 308.

[0087] The hub 300 and electronics assembly 350 may include a number of resistors 367 corresponding to the number of electrodes 202, 204 included in the wearable device 100. The resistors 367 may be located in the electrical path between each of the electrodes 202, 204 and the circuit board 351. The resistors 367 can prevent or reduce damage to the circuit board 351 (or other components of the hub 300) caused by short circuits or arc discharges that may occur when high voltages are applied accidentally and / or suddenly through the electrodes 202, 204. For example, the resistors 367 may be large-capacity, low-resistance resistors that allow electrical signals related to the subject's cardiac activity to pass through but prevent high voltages from passing through the circuit board 351 and / or other components of the hub 300. As shown in Figure 4K, the resistors may be housed in a case 368. In some implementations, a magnetic plate 372 may be coupled to a second side 354 of the circuit board 351. Such a magnetic plate 372 may be configured to assist in connecting the electrical contacts 378 to a charger (such as a charger 400).

[0088] The circuit board 351 may have one or more holes 385 penetrating the circuit board 351 between its first surface 353 and second surface 354. A thermal conductive probe 374, for example, its first end 374a, may be positioned adjacent to the second surface 354 and the holes 385. In some mounting configurations, the thermal conductive probe 374 may cover the holes 385. A temperature sensor 312a may be positioned adjacent to the first surface 353 and the holes 385. In some mounting configurations, the temperature sensor 312a may cover the holes 385. The holes 385 may be configured to transfer thermal energy from the thermal conductive probe 374 to the temperature sensor 312a. For this purpose, the holes 385 may contain a thermally conductive material such as copper.

[0089] Figure 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a wearable device 100 (e.g., a hub 300 and a dock 201) fixed to a subject 1 (e.g., fixed to the subject's skin), as identified in Figure 1B. Figure 7B illustrates a bottom perspective view of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wearable device 100 (e.g., a hub 300 and a dock 201), as identified in Figure 1B. Figure 7A shows a thermal conductive path formed from the subject's skin to the substrate 294 (e.g., a curved portion of the substrate 294b that can be positioned between the subject's skin and the thermal conductive probe 374), the thermal conductive probe 374, and through the hole 385 to the temperature sensor 312a. As described herein, the hub 300 may include temperature sensors 312b and / or 312c, which are separated from the temperature sensor 312a and can be at least partially insulated from the temperature sensor 312a and / or the subject's skin. Figures 7A and 7B also show how the projections 253 and 254 (in this case, a single projection 254 is shown) can electrically connect the conductive strips 273 and 274 (in this case, a single conductive strip 274 is shown) to the electrical contacts 373 and 374 (in this case, a single electrical contact 377 is shown in Figure 7B) when the hub 300 is fixed to the dock 201.

[0090] Figures 8A to 8N illustrate various views of the charger 400. Figures 8A to 8C illustrate top perspective views of the charger 400, Figures 8D to 8F illustrate bottom perspective views, and Figures 8G to 8L illustrate top views, bottom views, front views, rear views, first side views, and second side views, respectively. Figure 8M illustrates a top perspective view of the charger 400 with a hub 300 positioned within a portion of it in an exemplary usage scenario. Figure 8N illustrates a side view of the charger 400 mounted on a wall with multiple hubs 300 positioned within a portion of it in another exemplary usage scenario.

[0091] The charger 400 may include a body 401 and have a top 402, a bottom 404 opposite the top 402, a front 406, a rear 408 opposite the front 406, a first side 410, and a second side 412 opposite the first side 410. The front 406, rear 408, first side 410, and second side 412 may extend from the bottom 404. As shown, the front 406, rear 408, first side 410, and second side 412 may extend from the bottom 404 at a substantially right angle with respect to the bottom 404, but such configurations are not intended to be limiting. The top 402 may form an angle Θ with respect to a plane that is substantially the same plane as the bottom 404, as identified in Figure 8N. Such an angle Θ could be between approximately 0 degrees and 90 degrees, between approximately 5 degrees and 50 degrees, or between approximately 10 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0092] The charger 400 may include a plurality of charging cavities 420 (which may also be referred to herein as “charging ports”). The charging cavities 420 may extend inward from the top 402 of the body 401. Each charging cavity 420 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the hub 300 as described herein. Furthermore, each charging cavity 420 may be configured to charge the battery 308 of the hub 300 when the hub 300 is inserted therein. The top 402, having an angle Θ with respect to a plane that is substantially the same plane as the bottom 404, can favorably position the hub 300 to be received by the charging cavity 420 so as to facilitate insertion and / or removal from the charger 400.

[0093] In some implementations, the charging cavity 420 may include features configured to assist in securing the hub 300 at least partially within it and / or to assist in electrical contact between them. For example, the charging cavity 420 may have one or more features capable of receiving the hub 300's protrusions 329 to operably position the hub 300 within the charging cavity 420. In some implementations, the charging cavity 420 may include magnets that can interact with the magnetic plate 372 of the hub 300 (if included) to assist in electrical contact between the hub 300 and the charging cavity 420.

[0094] As illustrated, the charger 400 may include an array of charging cavities 420. For example, the charger 400 may include 16 charging cavities 420 in a 4x4 array configuration along the top 402, but in some implementations, the charger 400 may be configured to have fewer than 16 or more than 16 charging cavities 420 and / or different array configurations.

[0095] The charger 400 may include an electrical connection 442 configured to supply power to the charger 400. The electrical connection 442 may be positioned along the rear 408. The charger 400 may include hardware for converting the electrical energy received by the power supply connected to the electrical connection 442 into electrical energy suitable for charging the battery 308 of the hub 300, which is received by the charging cavity 420.

[0096] The charger 400 may include a vent 432 configured to manage the temperature inside the main body 401. Such a vent 432 may be positioned along the bottom 404. The charger 400 may also include a pad 436 and / or mounting portion 434 positioned along the bottom 404. As shown in Figure 8N, such a mounting portion 434 may be configured to allow the charger 400 to be mounted on a wall.

[0097] The charger 400 may include one or more status indicators 422 configured to indicate the status of the charger 400. For example, the status indicators 422 may indicate the power status of the charger 400, the charging status of one or more hubs 300 received by the charger 400, and / or the connectivity status of the charger 400 (e.g., the wireless connectivity of the charger 400). Such status indicators 422 may be positioned along the top 402.

[0098] In some implementations, the charger 400 can function as a hub capable of wirelessly transmitting data between the charger 400 and one or more external devices and / or systems. For example, the charger 400 can function as a hub capable of transmitting data (such as the subject's physiological data) from a hub 300 connected to the charger 400 via a charging cavity 420. Such data can be displayed on a screen and / or imported into the subject's medical records.

[0099] While various implementations of the wearable device 100 are disclosed as including electrodes 204 and cables 203 (for example, as part of a dock assembly 200), in some modifications the wearable device 100 does not include such electrodes 204 and cables 203, but still includes a hub 300 and a dock 201 having, for example, any of the features described herein with respect to these components.

[0100] Additional Considerations and Terminology While the present invention is disclosed in the context of several preferred implementations, it should be understood that some advantages, features, and aspects of the systems, devices, and methods may be realized in various other implementations. In addition, the various aspects and features described herein may be implemented separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and various combinations and partial combinations of features and aspects may be formed, still remaining within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the systems and devices described above do not need to include all of the modules and functions described in the preferred implementations.

[0101] In particular, conditional phrases used herein, such as “can,” “might also,” “may,” “may,” “e.g.,” “for example,” and similar expressions, are generally intended to convey that certain features, elements, and / or steps are optional, unless otherwise noted or understood to have a different meaning in the context in which they are used. Therefore, such conditional phrases are not generally intended to mean that features, elements, and / or steps are required in any form, or that there is logic for determining whether one or more implementations necessarily include, or should always include, these features, elements, and / or steps, with or without other inputs or prompts. “Equip,” “include,” “have,” and similar expressions are synonyms and are used inclusively and without limitation, without excluding additional elements, features, actions, behaviors, etc. Furthermore, the phrase "or" is used in an inclusive (and not exclusive) sense, for example, when used to concatenate a list of elements, meaning one, some, or all of the elements in that list. In addition to having its usual meaning, the phrase "each" as used herein can mean any subset of the set of elements to which the phrase "each" applies.

[0102] Conjunctional phrases such as "at least one of X, Y, and Z" are generally understood in other ways by context, such as when they are used to convey that an item, term, etc., could be any of X, Y, or Z, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, such conjunctional phrases are not generally intended to mean that some implementation requires the presence of at least one X, at least one Y, and at least one Z.

[0103] Degree expressions used herein, such as “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially,” refer to values, quantities, or characteristics that are close to the stated value, quantity, or characteristic that will either perform the desired function or produce the desired result. For example, “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to quantities that are less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, and less than 0.01% of the stated quantity. As another example, in some implementations, “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to values, quantities, or characteristics that deviate from exact parallelism by 10 degrees or less, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, or 1 degree. As another example, in some implementations, “generally perpendicular” and “substantially perpendicular” refer to values, quantities, or characteristics that deviate from exact perpendicularism by 10 degrees or less, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, or 1 degree.

[0104] While several implementations and examples are described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of the systems and devices shown and described herein can be combined and / or modified in different ways to form yet another implementation or acceptable example. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. A wide variety of designs and approaches are possible. Nothing is essential or indispensable to any feature, structure or step disclosed herein.

[0105] Any method disclosed herein does not need to be performed in the order described herein. The methods disclosed herein may include certain actions performed by those skilled in the art, which may also include any third-party instructions for such actions, either explicitly or implicitly.

[0106] The methods and operations described herein can be performed by a computer system and may be fully automated. In some cases, the computer system may include multiple different computers or computing devices (e.g., physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, cloud computing resources, etc.) that communicate and interoperate over a network to perform the functions described. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (or more processors) that executes program instructions or modules stored in memory or other non-temporary computer-readable storage media or devices (e.g., solid-state storage devices, disk drives, etc.). The various functions disclosed herein may be embodied in such program instructions and / or implemented in application-specific circuitry (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs) of the computer system. Where the computer system includes multiple computing devices, these devices may, though not required, be located in the same place. The results of the disclosed methods and operations may be permanently stored by converting physical storage devices, such as solid-state memory chips and / or magnetic disks, into different states. The computer system may be a cloud-based computing system in which processing resources are shared by multiple different entities or other subjects.

[0107] Depending on the implementation, some activities, events, or functions of any of the processes or algorithms described herein may be executed in a different order, added, merged, or omitted entirely (for example, not all described actions or events are necessary for the implementation of the algorithm). Furthermore, in some implementations, actions or events may be executed concurrently, for example, not sequentially, but through multithreading, interrupt handling, or through multiple processors or processor cores, or on other parallel architectures.

[0108] Various exemplary logic blocks, modules, routines, and algorithmic steps that can be described in relation to the disclosures herein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., ASIC or FPGA devices), computer software running on general-purpose computer hardware, or a combination of both. Various exemplary components, blocks, and steps may be described herein in general terms of their function. Whether such functions are implemented as dedicated hardware, as opposed to software running on general-purpose hardware, depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. The functions described may be implemented in various ways depending on the specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as resulting in a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0109] Furthermore, various exemplary logic blocks and modules that can be described in relation to the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed by machines such as general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternative forms, a processor may be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, a combination thereof, or similar. A processor may comprise electronic circuits configured to process computer executable instructions. A processor may include FPGAs or other programmable devices that perform logic operations without processing computer executable instructions. A processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although this specification primarily describes digital technologies, a processor may also primarily include analog components. For example, some or all of the rendering techniques described herein may be implemented in analog circuits or mixed analog-digital circuits. The computing environment may comprise any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computer system based on a computing engine in an appliance, to name a few examples.

[0110] Any method, process, routine, or algorithmic element described in relation to the disclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative form, the storage medium may be essential to the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside within an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a subject terminal. In an alternative form, the processor and storage medium may reside as discrete components within a subject terminal.

[0111] While the above detailed description highlights, explains, and points out novel features, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and modifications in the form and details of the illustrated devices or algorithms can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. As can be seen therefrom, some parts of the description herein may be embodied in forms that do not necessarily possess all of the features and benefits described herein, as some features may be used or implemented separately from others. The scope of some of the implementations disclosed herein is indicated not by the above description but by the accompanying claims. All modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of equivalence of claims should be included within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 1 Subject 100 Wearable Devices 200 Dock Assembly 201 Dock 202 Electrode 203 Cable 203a First wire 203b Second wire 204 Electrode 205 frame 205a Main Unit 205b Plate 206 Information Elements 208 sensors 211 First end 212 Second end 213 First side 214 Second side 215 First surface 216 Second surface 217 Wall 221 Opening 223 Opening 224 Opening 225 Opening 225a opening 225b opening 229a opening 230a opening 231 Mechanical Connector 232 Mechanical Connectors 234 Gasket 245 First surface 246 Second surface 253 Protrusions 253a Convex part 253b Concave part 254 Protrusions 254a Convex part 254b Concave part 255 Bump 256 Bump 257 Opening 258 opening 259 Opening 260 opening 270 Dock Circuit Layer 273 Conductive strip 274 Conductive strips 275 Arm 276 Opening 277 Conductive ring 279a Conductive pad 279b Grounding pad 280 information elements 291 circuit boards 292 circuit boards 292a opening 292b opening 292c opening 293 circuit boards 293a opening 294 circuit boards 294a Circuit board 294b circuit board 294c channel 300 Hub 301 Housing 301a Top section, top shell 301b Bottom section, bottom shell 302 Processors 304 Storage Devices 306 Communication Module 308 batteries 310 Information Elements 312 Temperature Sensor 312a Temperature sensor 312b Temperature Sensor 312c temperature sensor 314 User Input 316 Status Indicator 317 windows 318 Motion Sensor 320 sensors 321 First end 322 Second end 323 First side 324 Second side 325 First surface 326 Second surface 327 Bottom surface 328 Top surface 329 Ridge 333 Opening 334 Opening 335 Depression 336 Depression 337 Opening 338 buttons 341 Mechanical Connector 341a Part 1 341b Second part 342 Mechanical Connectors 342a Part 1 342b Second part 345 Wall 346 Depression 347 Post 349 Cavity 350 Electronic Equipment Assembly 351 Hub Circuit Board 352 Internal 353 First surface 354 Second surface 361 NFC Transponders 362 Antenna 363 Cover 364 circuit boards 365 circuits 366 Battery Electrical Connector 367 resistor 368 cases 371 Switch 372 Magnetic plate 374 Thermal Conductivity Probes 374a First end 374b Second end 375 Gap 376 Electrical contacts 377 Electrical contacts 378 Electrical contacts, charger contacts 381 Opening 385 holes 391 Frame, opening 395 circuit boards 400 charger 401 Main Unit 402 Top 404 Bottom 406 front 408 Rear 410 First side 412 Second side 420 charging cavity 422 Status Indicator 432 Ventilation opening 434 Mounting part 436 pads 442 Electrical connection

Claims

1. It is a wearable device, One or more substrates configured to be fixed to the skin of the subject, A frame bonded to one or more substrates, the frame including a plurality of protrusions, and A dock circuit layer including a plurality of conductive strips positioned along the plurality of protrusions of the frame. A dock equipped with, Multiple electrodes for monitoring the cardiac activity of the subject, Multiple cables configured to facilitate electrical communication between the multiple electrodes and the dock circuit layer, A hub configured to be detachably fixed to the aforementioned dock, Housing including internal and multiple openings, The hub circuit layer disposed inside the housing, A hub comprising one or more hardware processors coupled to the hub circuit layer, Equipped with, A wearable device in which, when the hub and the dock are fixed to each other, the plurality of projections of the frame extend toward the plurality of openings of the housing of the hub, bringing the plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer, thereby facilitating electrical communication between the plurality of electrodes and the hub circuit layer.

2. The wearable device according to claim 1, wherein when the hub and the dock are fixed to each other, the plurality of projections of the frame at least partially penetrate the plurality of openings of the housing of the hub and bring the plurality of conductive strips into contact with the portion of the hub circuit layer.

3. Each of the plurality of protrusions comprises a first end connected to a part of the frame, a second end opposite to the first end, and a curved portion closer to the second end than to the first end. The wearable device according to claim 2, wherein when the hub and the dock are fixed together, the curved portions of the plurality of protrusions at least partially penetrate the plurality of openings in the housing of the hub, and bring the plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer.

4. Each of the plurality of protrusions comprises a first end connected to a part of the frame, a second end opposite to the first end, a convex portion, and a concave portion. The convex portion is closer to the first end than the concave portion, The recessed portion is closer to the second end than the convex portion. The wearable device according to claim 2, wherein when the hub and the dock are fixed together, the recessed portions of the plurality of protrusions at least partially penetrate the plurality of openings in the housing of the hub, and bring the plurality of conductive strips into contact with a portion of the hub circuit layer.

5. The aforementioned recessed portion is This includes the shorter amount of the length of each of the aforementioned multiple protrusions, Shorter than the aforementioned protruding portion, and / or The wearable device according to claim 4, having a radius of curvature smaller than the convex portion.

6. The wearable device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is provided with a bump on the recess, and the bumps of the plurality of protrusions are configured to facilitate contact between the plurality of conductive strips and the portion of the hub circuit layer.

7. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is provided with a bump, and the bumps of the plurality of protrusions are configured to facilitate contact between the plurality of conductive strips and the portion of the hub circuit layer.

8. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of electrodes are external electrodes configured to be fixed to the skin of the subject away from the dock, and the wearable device further comprises at least one internal electrode operably positioned by the frame of the dock.

9. The wearable device according to claim 8, wherein the wearable device comprises two internal electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and operably positioned by the frame of the dock.

10. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more substrates are electrically and / or thermally conductive.

11. It is a wearable device, A dock comprising one or more substrates configured to be fixed to the skin of a subject, A hub configured to be detachably fixed to the aforementioned dock, A housing comprising an interior, a top portion, a bottom portion, and an opening through the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is positioned near the skin of the subject when the hub and the dock are fixed to each other and the dock is fixed to the skin of the subject, A circuit board disposed inside the housing, comprising a first surface, a second surface, and at least one hole penetrating the circuit board between the first surface and the second surface, One or more hardware processors coupled to the circuit board and disposed inside the housing, A temperature sensor mounted on the first surface of the circuit board adjacent to at least one of the holes, A thermal conductive probe that penetrates the opening of the housing, wherein the thermal conductive probe includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being positioned adjacent to the second surface of the circuit board and the at least one hole, The housing comprises a wall extending outward from the bottom portion and extending around at least a portion of the thermal conductive probe, Equipped with a hub, When the hub and the dock are fixed to each other and the dock is fixed to the skin of the subject, The second end of the thermal conductive probe is in contact with at least one of the one or more substrates of the dock. A wearable device comprising a thermal conductive probe configured to receive thermal energy emitted from the subject's skin through one or more substrates and to transfer the thermal energy to the temperature sensor through at least one hole in the circuit board.

12. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the wall surrounds the entire periphery of the thermal conductive probe.

13. The wearable device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the wall surrounds the thermal conductive probe.

14. The wearable device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall.

15. The wearable device according to claim 14, wherein the thermal conductive probe extends beyond the wall by an amount of approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1.5 mm.

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