Motion/activity, heart-rate and respiration from a single chest-worn sensor, circuits, devices, processes and systems

Abstract

A respiration monitoring device includes an accelerometer (210) for application to the chest, whereby acceleration is possible due to both non-respiratory body motion and respiration, and an electronic circuit (DSP) responsive to an acceleration signal from the accelerometer and operable to separate from the acceleration signal a heart signal, a respiration signal, and a substantially non-respiration body motion signal. Other devices, sensor articles, electronic circuit units, and processes are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. patent applications as follows:[0002]This application is related to U.S. patent application “Heart Monitors And Processes With Accelerometer Motion Artifact Cancellation, And Other Electronic Systems” Ser. No. 12 / ______ (TI-68518) filed Aug. 24, 2010 simultaneously herewith, for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120 and all other applicable law, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0003]This application is related to U.S. patent application “Estimation Of Blood Flow And Hemodynamic Parameters From A Single Chest-Worn Sensor, And Other Circuits, Devices And Processes” Ser. No. 12 / ______ (TI-68553) filed Aug. 24, 2010 simultaneously herewith, for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120 and all other applicable law, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0004]This application is related to provisional U.S. patent application “Motion Artifact ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that can monitor a person's breathing by using an accelerometer placed on the chest. The device filters out other signals that may be caused by the person's movement or other factors, such as the heart's pulses. This allows the device to accurately measure the person's breathing. The invention can be used in a variety of applications, such as medical monitoring or sports equipment.

Problems solved by technology

Most current solutions for heart rate monitoring involve cumbersome equipment, such as heart rate recording belts to be worn around the chest, electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and leads, and in most cases electrical contact to the skin.

However, such methods remain obtrusive, and are not optimal for long-term and ambulatory monitoring.

Current solutions for not only heart rate monitoring but also respiration monitoring are believed to involve cumbersome and expensive equipment e.g., respiration and heart rate monitoring belts to be worn around the chest, spirometers and canulas to be worn around the mouth and nose, and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and leads to be taped on the body.

Not only are these solutions obtrusive and expensive, but may also be too restrictive to be well-suited for ambulatory monitoring.

Noise mixed with signals received by the sensors used in heart monitoring, respiration monitoring, body motion and other monitoring applications can adversely affect the accuracy of each type of signal.

Such arrangements are very difficult to establish in a real setting and can cause poor rejection of the motion signal and body motion artifacts.

Some conventional single-channel de-noising techniques reinforce all major signal peaks and fail to distinguish body motions from heart sounds.

Hemodynamic data also challenge the art to find methods and devices for obtaining, isolating, determining and monitoring more simply, economically and more efficiently.

Most current solutions for the measurement of blood flow and other hemodynamic parameters are believed to involve cumbersome and expensive equipment e.g., Impedance Cardiography (calls for electrodes to be connected on the skin), Doppler Echo Cardiography, Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring etc.

Not only are these solutions obtrusive and expensive, but may also be too restrictive to be well-suited for ambulatory monitoring applications.

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