Accessory sensor module for physiological measurements

Abstract

An accessory apparatus comprising a module comprising a mechanical connector at each end of the module, said each mechanical connector configured to couple to a chest strap, the chest strap comprising a main sensor module being configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters, a sensing element configured to measure a second set of one or more physiological parameters, wherein the second set of one or more physiological parameters is mutually exclusive with the first set of one or more physiological parameters.

Description

[0001] ACCESSORY SENSOR MODULE FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring human physiological signals, which complements electrocardiogram (ECG) data during sport and training.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a typical physiologic measurement that is done e.g., during sports and training. A chest strap comprising an ECG sensor is a typical apparatus for measuring physiological parameters of the heart during sports or training.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for measuring multiple different physiological parameters with an arrangement of sensors. The objects of the invention are achieved by a method and an arrangement which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention is based on the idea of introducing an accessory apparatus to be attached to the chest strap as an extension strap, and to organise ta transfer of physiological measurement data to the main sensor device of the chest strap for further processing of the different measurement data sets.

[0009] The accessory element can include various sensors to measure human physiological signals, which complements the ECG data during sport and training. Those signals include e.g., temperature, sweating rate, dehydration, moisture as well as biosensors like electrochemical or optical sweat analysis.

[0010] According to a first aspect, there is provided: an accessory apparatus comprising: a module comprising a mechanical connector at each end of the module, said each mechanical connector configured to couple to a chest strap, the chest strap comprising a main sensor module being configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters; a sensing element configured to measure a second set of one or more physiological parameters, wherein the second set of one or more physiological parameters is mutually exclusive with the first set of one or more physiological parameters.

[0011] According to a further aspect, there is provided: an accessory apparatus comprising: a module comprising a mechanical connector at each end of the mod-ule, said each mechanical connector configured to couple to a chest strap, the chest strap comprising a main sensor module being configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters; a sensing element configured to measure a second set of one or more physiological parameters, wherein the second set of one or more physio-logical parameters is independently measurable with respect to the first set of one or more physiological parameters; and wherein the sensing element comprises a socket configured to receive a further sensor element for electrochemical measurements, the said socket being provided on the accessory apparatus on the side facing the user’s skin.

[0012] The further sensor element may comprise a patch or pad. The further sensor element may be removable and / or disposable. The patch or pad may comprise a biosensor circuitry configured to measure at least one physiological parameter from sweat collected from the user’s skin. The socket may comprise a communication interface to provide communication with the further sensor interface. The communication interfaces may comprise one or more electrical connector / contact. The communication interface may provide power and / or data transfer to the further sensor element. The socket may comprise a connector to retain the further sensor element within the socket. The connector may be releasable.

[0013] One of the mechanical connector and the chest strap may comprise a latch. The other of the mechanical connector the chest strap may comprise a formation to receive a latch. A band or strap of the chest strap may bias the latch into the formation. The accessory module and the chest strap may be connected via a femalemale connector formation. The accessory module and the chest strap may be connected to provide a continuous / extended strap or band.

[0014] The accessory module may comprise communication circuitry to provide communication with the main sensor module on the chest strap (e.g. to facilitate data and / or power transfer therebetween). The communication circuitry may be wire and / or wireless. According to a further aspect, there is provided: a chest sensor arrangement comprising the accessory apparatus of any other aspect. The chest sensor arrangement may comprise a chest strap

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which,

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an example system to which the embodiments of the invention may be applied;

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment from a side view;

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment from a side view;

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment with a disposable patch from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment with a disposable patch from a side view;

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment with a disposable patch and sweat stimulation from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment with an optical sensor from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0026] Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment with an optical sensor from a side view;

[0027] Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment with an optical sensor from a side view;

[0028] Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment with a UWB sensor from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0029] Figure 13 illustrates another embodiment with a UWB sensor from a side view;

[0030] Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment with a UWN location sensor from a side view;

[0031] Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment with ECG / B1OZ sensing electrodes from a side facing the user’s skin;

[0032] Figure 16 illustrates another embodiment with ECG / B1OZ sensing electrodes from a side view;

[0033] Figure 17 illustrates schematically a block diagram of components of the embodiments.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The following embodiments are exemplifying. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment^), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates a measurement system comprising a chest strap 12 that may be used in the context of some embodiments of the present invention. The user 20 may wear a wearable device, such as a wrist device 11. The wrist device 11 may be, for example, a smart watch, a smart device, sports watch, and / or an activity tracking apparatus (e.g., bracelet, arm band, wrist band, mobile phone, glasses). In an embodiment, the wrist device 11 is an activity tracking apparatus or a wearable activity tracking apparatus. This may mean that said apparatus may be worn in the wrist or in other parts of the user 20, such as but not limited to forearm, bicep area, neck, forehead, and / or leg. Data retrieved from wrist device 11 may also be used heart rate, bioimpedance, and skin temperature of the user 20.

[0037] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the measurement system comprises at least a chest strap 12 configured to collect physiological measurements from the user 20 and an accessory apparatus 100 connected to the chest strap configured to collect additional physiological measurements from the user 20, for example by carrying out methods described in more detail below. The analysis of the measured physiological measurements may be carried in the wrist device 11 worn by the user, or in a user device 10 such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, or the analysis maybe carried out by a server computer such as a cloud server. The measurement data 13 may be provided by at least a sensor comprised in the chest strap 12 or via the chest strap 12 by a sensor comprised in the accessory apparatus 100, by a sensor comprised in the wrist device 11. The wrist device 11, the user device 10, the server computer, and / or the chest strap 12 may be connectable over one or more networks, over a short-range wireless connection such as Bluetooth, or over a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. The sensors of the accessory apparatus 100 may employ one or more measurement technologies for measuring the physiological parameters of the user 20. The accessory apparatus 100 may measure one or more of the following features from the user: electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), bioimpedance, galvanic skin response, body temperature, lactate, glucose oxygen saturation or location. In PPG measurements a light emitted by a light emitter diode (LED) or a similar light source and reflected back from the user’s 20 skin is be sensed by using a photo diode or a similar light sensing component. The sensed light is then converted into an electric measurement signal in the light sensing component and signal processing is used to detect desired signal components from the electric measurement signal. In the PPG measurements, P waves may be detected which enables computation of a PP interval and a heart rate, for example.

[0038] The user device 10 refers to a computing device (equipment, apparatus) and it may also be referred to as a user terminal, a user apparatus, mobile device, or a mobile terminal. Portable computing devices (apparatuses) include wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM) in hardware or in software, including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: mobile phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet (tablet computer), multimedia device, wearable computer, such as smart watch, and other types of wearable devices, such as clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies. The user device 10 may comprise one or more user interfaces. The one or more user interfaces may be any kind of a user interface, for example a screen, a keypad, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a touch user interface, an integrated display device, and / or external display device.

[0039] Figure 2 illustrates from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin, an embodiment, where there is an accessory apparatus 100 comprising a module 101 comprising mechanical connectors 102, 103 at each end of the module, said each mechanical connectors 102, 103 configured to couple to a chest strap 12 via mechanical connectors 121, 122, respectively. The mechanical connectors 102, 122 may comprise a clip or latch, and The counterpart mechanical connectors 103, 121 may comprise a formation configured to receive the latch or clip. In the present embodiment, the formation may comprise an aperture or loop to receive the latch. The latch then abuts against the aperture to retain the latch therein. A loop or band of the strap 12 is overlies the formation on one side thereof (e.g. the back side). The loop / band therefore biases the latch into engagement with aperture. The latch / clip comprise a resilient material to aid with disengagement from the aperture.

[0040] The latch provides a male part and the aperture provides a female part to receive the latch. The accessory apparatus 100 and the chest strap 12 are therefore connected via a male-female connection to provide a continuous band. It can be appreciate that in other embodiments, the latch may be provided on the chest strap 12 and the aperture is provided on the accessory apparatus 100.

[0041] The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. On the side facing the user’s 20 skin, the accessory apparatus 100 comprises a sensing element 104 configured to measure a second set of one or more physiological parameters, wherein the second set of one or more physiological parameters is mutually exclusive with the first set of one or more physiological parameters. For example, the first set and second set of physiological parameters may be independently measurable (i.e. the first set can be measured without communication or reference to second set and vice versa). The accessory apparatus 100 is configured to be attached to the chest strap 12, which accessory apparatus 100 and chest strap 12 together form a loop to be attached around the user’s 20 chest. The accessory apparatus 100 transfers the second set of one or more physiological parameters to the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 wirelessly or via a galvanic (i.e. wired) connection. The galvanic connection may comprise one or more electrical contacts. The longitudinal size of the accessory apparatus 100 is essentially shorter than chest strap 12, typically less than 10 cm, as shown in Figure 1. The longitudinal size of the accessory apparatus

[0042] 100 is small compared to the length of the chest strap 12 in order not to extend the total length of the combined chest strap 12 and the accessory apparatus 100 so that attaching them around user’s 20 chest would not be complicated. The accessory apparatus comprises electrical components and the mechanical connectors 102, 103 arranged so that the mechanical connectors are arranged at both longitudinal ends of the module 101 and that electrical components are arranged between the longitudinal ends of the module 101. The electrical components are arranged partially or completely on top of each other on the module 101 or inside the module

[0043] 101 to accommodate as small longitudinal space of the module 101 as possible. The module 101 maybe formed as a band or a strap. Material of the module 101 may be rigid or stretchable. The chest strap 12 may contain wireless circuitry, which is used to transmit the first and the second set of physiological parameters to a wrist device 11 or to a user device 10. Figure 3 illustrates from a side view an embodiment, wherein the accessory apparatus 100 further comprises a wireless communication circuitry 106 connected to the sensing element 104 via a connection layer 107, the wireless communication circuitry 106 configured to transmit wirelessly the second set of physiological parameters to the chest strap 12. The wireless connection between the accessory apparatus 100 and the chest strap 12 may e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), Wifi or some of IEEE 802.15.4 based wireless networks. The first and second sets of physiological measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first and second sets of physiological measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing. Synchronization may be done e.g., by known signal processing techniques, where at least one of the signals to be synchronized is delayed and resampled with a sampling clock adjusted to another of the signals to be synchronized, or synchronization may done e.g., by means of exchanging a time stamp information between the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 and the accessory apparatus 100 and embedding the time stamp information to the second set of one or more physiological parameters. The accessory apparatus 100 is configured to measure at least one of skin temperature, sweat analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose, sweat stimulation and analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose, PPG, optical oxygen saturation measurement [SP02], positioning sensor by Ultrawide Band (UWB), tissue measurement, ECG, bioimpedance [BIOZ], and ultrasound-based pulse transit time [PTT] or pulse wave velocity [PWV] measurement. The accessory apparatus 100 comprises also a power source to provide power supply for the sensing element 104 and to the wireless communication circuitry 106. The accessory apparatus 100 may comprise a substrate 105, wherein the sensing element 104 and the wireless communication circuitry 105 are coupled to the substrate 105. The substrate 105 may be rigid material.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 200 comprises a module 201 and mechanical connectors 202, 203 in the module 201, wherein at least one of the mechanical connectors 202, 203 is an electromechanical connector connecting the sensing element 204 electrically to the chest strap 12. The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. A galvanic connection from measurements circuitry 204 is arranged via a plurality of electric wires 207 and a plurality of electric connectors 206 to a plurality of electric connectors 124 and a plurality of electric wires 123 of the chest strap 12 and further to a communication circuitry of the chest strap 12. The plurality of electric wires 207 may also be connected to the mechanical connector 203. At least one of the electromechanical connectors 202, 203 may also be a USB-C connector.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates the accessory apparatus 200 from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin. The sensing element 204 is configured to output the second set of physiological parameters via one of the electromechanical connectors 202, 203 to the chest strap 12. One of the electromechanical connectors 202, 203 may provide a power supply from the chest strap 12 to the accessory apparatus 200. Figure 5 illustrates the embodiment from a side view. The first and second sets of physiological measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first and second sets of physiological measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing. The accessory apparatus is configured to measure at least one of skin temperature, sweat analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose, sweat stimulation and analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose, PPG, SP02, positioning sensor by UWB, tissue measurement, ECG, B1OZ, and ultrasound measurement. The module 201 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The module 201 may be stretchable material and the plurality of electric wires 207 may be stretchable or rigid material. The accessory apparatus 100 may comprise a substrate 205, wherein the sensing element 204 is coupled to the substrate 205. The substrate 205 may be rigid material. The substrate 205 may also be bendable of stretchable material. The module 201 may be stretchable material. The accessory apparatus 200 may comprise a substrate 205, wherein the sensing element 204 is coupled to the substrate 105. The substrate 105 may be rigid material.

[0046] Referring to Figure 6, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 300 comprises a module 301 and a socket 305 in the module 301 configured to receive a sensor element. The sensor element comprises a patch or pad 304 for electrochemical measurements. The socket 305 comprises electromechanical connectors configured to operatively connect to the patch 304. The accessory apparatus 300 is configured to measure physiological measurements of sweat analysis by e.g., measurement of lactate or glucose. Figure 6 illustrates the accessory apparatus 300 from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin. The module 301 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The said patch 304 may be a disposable patch to be used for a single measurement period or a limited number of measurement periods. A measurement period may be e.g., a duration of a physical exercise or duration of a test. The patch 304 and the receiving socket 305 may have different shapes e.g., circular, elliptical, or rectangular.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates the embodiment from a side view. At least one of electromechanical connectors 302, 303 is connecting the chest strap 12 via a plurality of electric wires 307 to the socket 305. The patch 304 may be attached to the socket 305 e.g., by a magnetic connector or by mechanical brackets or by spinning clips. A galvanic / wired connection may be comprised between the chest strap 12 via the plurality of electric wires 307 in the accessory apparatus 300 and via the electromechanical connector 302, and via the socket 305 to the patch 304. The plurality of electric wires 307 may also be connected from the electromechanical connector 303 to the socket 305. One of the electromechanical connectors 302, 303 may provide a power supply from the chest strap 12 to the accessory apparatus 300. The patch 304 is configured to output the second set of physiological parameters via the socket 305, the plurality of electric wires 307 and one of the electromechanical connectors 302, 303 to the chest strap 12. The first and second sets of physiological measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first and second sets of physiological measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing.

[0048] Referring to Figure 8, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 400 comprises a module 401, a socket 405 in the module 401 configured to receive a patch / pad 404 for electrochemical measurements, and stimulus electrodes 408, 409 on first and second side of the socket 405. Figure 8 illustrates the accessory apparatus 400 from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin. The accessory apparatus 400 is configured to measure physiological measurements of sweat analysis by e.g., measurement of lactate or glucose, using sweat stimulation. The module 401 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The first stimulus electrode 408 and the stimulus second electrode 409 are arranged along the surface of the accessory apparatus 400 facing the user’s 20 skin essentially on opposite sides of the socket 405 to provide the stimulus current between the first stimulus electrode 408 and second stimulus electrode 409 while the patch 405 is located against the area of the user’s 20 skin affected by the current stimulus. The current stimulus may be used for stimulating sweat secretion from the user’s 20 skin to improve electrochemical measurements. The current stimulus may constitute active transport of matter through the skin due to applied electric current. An example is a replaceable patch used for pilocarpine iontophoresis. At least one of electromechanical connectors 402, 403 is connecting the chest strap 12 via a plurality of electric wires 407 to the socket 405, and to the stimulus electrodes 408, 409. The patch 404 may be attached to the socket 405 e.g., by a magnetic connector or by mechanical brackets or by spinning clips. A galvanic connection may be comprised between the chest strap 12 via the plurality of electric wires 407 in the accessory apparatus 400 and via the electromechanical connector 402, and via the socket 405 to the patch 404. The plurality of electric wires 407 may also be connected from electromechanical connector 403 to the socket 405. One of the electromechanical connectors 402, 403 may provide a power supply from the chest strap 12 to the accessory apparatus 400.

[0049] Referring to Figure 9, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 500 comprises a module 501, an optical sensor 505, which comprises at least one of a PPG sensor and an SP02 sensor, arranged in the module 501 on the side facing the user’s 20 skin. Figure 9 illustrates the accessory apparatus

[0050] 500 from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin. The module 501 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The at least one of the PPG sensor and the SP02 sensor may comprise a plurality of LEDs 504 and a plurality of light detectors 508, wherein the at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs 504 is arranged at a distance from the at least one light detector of the plurality of light detectors 508, and wherein the at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs 504 is configured to emit light on wavelength different from a second LED of the plurality of LEDs 504, and wherein the at least one light detector of the plurality of light detectors 508 is configured to detect light on wavelength different from a second light detector of the plurality of light detectors 508. Figure 10 illustrates from a side view the embodiment, wherein a module

[0051] 501 comprises a hole 510 for the at least one of PPG sensor and SPO2 sensor, and for analogue front-end electronics 509, and the accessory apparatus 500 comprises a plurality of electric wires 507 connecting the at least one of the PPG sensor 505 and the SPO2 sensor to one of electromechanical connectors 502, 503. The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. The accessory apparatus 10 is configured to measure a second set of at least one of PPG and SPO2 measurement data. The accessory apparatus 100 is configured to transfers the second set of at least one of the PPG and the SPO2 measurement data to the chest strap 12 via a galvanic connection. The module 501 may be stretchable material and the plurality of electric wires 507 may be stretchable material.

[0052] Referring to Figure 11, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 600 comprises a module 601, at least one of a PPG sensor 605 and an SPO2 sensor arranged in the module 601 on the side facing the user’s 20 skin, the said at least one of PPG sensor 605 and SP02 sensor connected via a connection layer 607 to a wireless communication circuitry 606, which is configured to transmit wirelessly the at least one of the PPG and the SP02 measurement data to the mains sensor module of the chest strap 12. The module 601 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. The first set of physiological measurements and the at least one of the PPG and the SP02 measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first set of physiological measurements and the at least one of the PPG and the SP02 measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing.

[0053] Referring to Figure 12, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 700 comprises a module 701 and an UWB sensor arranged in the module 701 on the side facing the user’s 20 skin. Figure 12 illustrates the accessory apparatus 700 from a bottom view, a side facing the user’s 20 skin. Figure 13 illustrates from a side view the embodiment, wherein the accessory apparatus 700 comprises a plurality of electric wires 707 connecting the UWB sensor to an electromechanical connector 502. The module 701 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. The UWB sensor 705 is configured to measure tissue water content of the user 20. At least one of electromechanical connectors 702, 703 is connecting the chest strap 12 via a plurality of electric wires 707. A galvanic connection may be comprised between the chest strap 12 via the plurality of electric wires 707 in the accessory apparatus 700 and via the electromechanical connector 702. The plurality of electric wires 707 may also be connected from electromechanical connector 703 to the UWB sensor 705. One of the electromechanical connectors 702, 703 may provide a power supply from the chest strap 12 to the accessory apparatus 700. The module 701 maybe stretchable material and the plurality of electric wires 707 may be stretchable material. The first set of physiological measurements and the tissue water content measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first set of physiological measurements and the tissue water content measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing.

[0054] Referring to Figure 14, there is another embodiment, wherein an accessory apparatus 750 comprises a module 751, a UWB location sensor 755 arranged in the module 751 on the side facing away from the user’s 20 skin. Figure 14 illustrates from a side view the embodiment, wherein, the UWB location sensor 755 connected to a wireless communication circuitry 756, which is configured to transmit location measurements to the main sensor module of the chest strap 12. The accessory apparatus 750 may comprise a battery 758 to provide power for the wireless communication circuitry 756 and the UWB location sensor 755. The module 751 maybe formed as a band or a strap. The chest strap 12 is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. The first set of physiological measurements and location measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first set of physiological measurements and the location measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device 11 or user device 10 for further processing. The UWB location sensor may also be connected to mains sensor module of the chest start 12 via a galvanic connection.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the accessory apparatus comprises a module and an ultrasound sensor arranged in the module on the side facing the user’s skin. The accessory apparatus comprises a plurality of electric wires connecting the ultrasound sensor to an electromechanical connector. The chest strap is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters by a main sensor module. The ultrasound sensor is configured to measure pulse transit time (PTT) or a pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the user. A galvanic connection may be comprised between the chest strap via the plurality of electric wires in the accessory apparatus and via the electromechanical connector. One of the electromechanical connectors may provide a power supply from the chest strap to the accessory apparatus. The module maybe formed as a band or a strap. The module may be stretchable material and the plurality of electric wires may be stretchable material. The first set of physiological measurements and the PTT / PWV measurements may be combined in the main sensor module of the chest strap to an aligned and synchronized data set or the first set of physiological measurements and the tissue water content measurements may be transmitted to a wrist device or user device for further processing.

[0056] Referring to figure 15, there is another embodiment, wherein the accessory apparatus comprises a module 801, mechanical connectors 802, 803 and sensing electrodes 804 configured to measure a second set of ECG measurement signal. Figure 15 illustrates the embodiment on the side facing away from the user’s 20 skin, wherein the accessory apparatus 800 comprises a plurality of electric wires 807 connecting the sensing electrodes 804 to an electromechanical connector 802. Galvanic connections may be configured between the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 of via a plurality of electric connectors 124 in the chest strap 12 to a plurality of electric connectors 806 on the accessory apparatus 800, further via the plurality of electric wires 807 to the sensing electrodes 804. The main sensor module of the chest strap 12 may perform ECG measurement with both the first set of one of more physiological measurement and with the ECG measurement signal produced by the sensing electrodes 804. Figure 16 illustrates the accessory apparatus 800 from a side view. The module 801 maybe formed as a band or a strap. Material of the module 801 may be rigid or stretchable.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the sensing electrodes 804 of the accessory apparatus 800 are configured to measure bioimpedance as the second set of one or more physiological measurements. The illustration presented in Figure 15 represents this embodiment, wherein at least one of the sensing electrodes 804 is used as a current source and another of the sensing electrodes 804 is used for voltage measurement. The galvanic connections between the main sensor module of via a plurality of electric connectors 124 in the chest strap 12 to a plurality of electric connectors 806 of the accessory apparatus 800, further via the plurality of electric wires 807 to the sensing electrodes 804, are used for current stimulus and voltage measurement. For the bioimpedance measurement, corresponding sensing electrodes in the main sensor module of the chest strap 12 are used as the current source electrode and voltage measurement electrode, respectively.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the accessory apparatus comprises a module formed as a band or as a strap, wherein the module is adjustable in length. An adjustable accessory apparatus may be used to adjust the total circumference of the combined chest strap and accessory apparatus. This arrangement is useful in the case the chest strap has no length adjustment capability or the margin of the length adjustment is insufficient for the user.

[0059] Figure 17 illustrates schematically a block diagram of components of the above-mentioned embodiments of the accessory apparatus 100. The accessory apparatus 100 collects measurements from the user and transfers measurement data or a measurement signal or signals to the chest strap. A sensing element 150 measures at least one of skin temperature, sweat analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose, sweat and analysis by measurement of lactate or glucose using sweat stimulation, PPG, SPO2, positioning sensor by UWB, tissue measurement, ECG, BIOZ, and ultrasound-based PTT or PWV measurement. The sensing element may be connected to chest strap via a galvanic connection or via a wireless connection. The sensing element 150 may be connected to an electric interface 181, which is configured to be connected an electric connector of chest strap for transferring the measurement data or the measurement signal to the chest strap. The sensing element 150 may also be connected to a wireless communication circuitry 180, which is configured to establish a wireless connection between the chest strap and the accessory apparatus for transmitting the measurement data to the chest strap. The measurement data produced by the sensing element 150 may also be processed in the accessory apparatus 100 before being transferred to the chest strap. The accessory apparatus 100 may thus comprise a measurement signal processing circuitry 160, which is configured to process the measurement data before transferring the measurement data via the electric interface or transmitting the measurement data via the wireless connection to the chest strap. The accessory apparatus 100 may comprise a memory 190, which is connected to the measurement signal processing circuitry 160 for storing the measurement data temporarily before transferring or transmitting the measurements or the measurement signal to the chest strap. The memory 190 may comprise a software 191, which comprises execution instructions for the measurement signal processing circuitry 160 to execute operations for the measurements of the embodiments. The memory 190 may further comprise a measurement database 192 to store measurement data of the measurements of the embodiments. The apparatus may comprise stimulus electrodes 151, which are connected to measurement signal processing circuitry 160, and which stimulus electrodes 151 are configured to provide stimulus current to the user’s skin.

[0060] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An accessory apparatus comprising: a module comprising a mechanical connector at each end of the module, said each mechanical connector configured to couple to a chest strap, the chest strap comprising a main sensor module being configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters; a sensing element configured to measure a second set of one or more physiological parameters, wherein the second set of one or more physiological parameters is independently measurable with respect to the first set of one or more physiological parameters; and wherein the sensing element comprises a socket configured to receive a further sensor element for electrochemical measurements, the said socket being provided on the accessory apparatus on the side facing the user’s skin.

2. An accessory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accessory apparatus further comprises a wireless communication circuitry configured to transmit wirelessly the second set of physiological parameters to the main sensor module of the chest strap; and a power source to provide power supply for the sensing element.

3. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the mechanical connectors is an electromechanical connector connecting the sensing element electrically to the chest strap, and wherein the sensing element is configured to output the second set of physiological parameters via the electromechanical connector.

4. An accessory apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a power supply is received via the at least one electromechanical connector.

5. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising at least two sensing electrodes connected to the at least one electromechanical connector, and wherein the measuring of the second set of physiological parameters is an electrocardiogram measurement.

6. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim,comprising at least two sensing electrodes connected to the at least one electromechanical connector, and wherein the measuring of the second set of physiological parameters is a bioimpedance measurement.

7. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing element is a temperature sensor on a side facing user’s skin.

8. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing element comprises a biosensor circuitry configured to measure at least one physiological parameter from sweat collected from the user’s skin.

9. An accessory apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the biosensor circuitry further comprises a first current stimulus electrode and a second stimulus electrode arranged along the surface of the accessory apparatus facing the user’s skin essentially on opposite sides of the socket to provide the stimulus current between the first stimulus electrode and second stimulus electrode.

10. An accessory apparatus according to any of claims 8-9, wherein the biosensor circuitry comprises at least one pilocarpine element activated by the sensing element.

11. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one of a photoplethysmography sensor and an optical oxygen saturation sensor arranged on the side facing the user’s skin.

12. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing element comprises an ultra-wideband sensor for location sensing on a side facing away from the user’s skin.

13. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the module comprises an ultra-wideband sensor for tissue water content measurement on a side facing the user’s skin.

14. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing element comprises an ultrasonic sensor for at least one of pulse transit time and pulse wave velocity measurements.

15. An accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising the further sensing element, and where the further sensing element comprises a patch or pad.

16. An accessory apparatus according to claim 15, where the patch or pad is removably attached to the socket.

17. A chest sensor arrangement comprising: a chest strap, wherein the chest strap is configured to measure a first set of one or more physiological parameters, and the chest strap is further configured to receive the second set of physiological parameters; and an accessory apparatus according to any preceding claim.

18. A chest sensor arrangement according to claim 17 comprising, wherein the chest strap comprises a first of sensing electrodes and wherein the accessory apparatus comprises a second of set sensing electrodes connected via a galvanic connection to the chest strap, the first and the second sets of sensing electrodes being configured to measure electrocardiogram measurement.

19. A chest sensor arrangement according to claim 18 comprising, wherein the chest strap comprises a first set of sensing electrodes and wherein the accessory apparatus comprises a second set of sensing electrodes via a galvanic connection to the chest strap, the first and the second sets of sensing electrodes being configured to measure bioimpedance measurement.

20. A chest sensor arrangement according to any of claims 17-19, where in the first set of one or more physiological parameters and the second set of one or more physiological parameters are synchronized by the main sensor module

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