Method and device for measuring physiological parameters at the wrist

Abstract

A wrist-mounted device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject. The present invention enables such a measurement to preferably be transformed into clinically useful information about the subject. Such information may then optionally be sent to medical personnel, for example at a contact and/or monitoring center, through a gateway device. The gateway device preferably communicates with the wrist-mounted device of the present invention through a wireless communication channel.

1 - 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject, comprising:
 (a) a fastening article for being fastened to the wrist of a first hand of the subject; and   (b) a measuring device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the subject, said measuring device configured to be attached to the wrist by said fastening article, said measuring device comprising:
 (i) at least one sensor for measuring at least oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the blood of the subject; 
 (ii) a processor for receiving a signal from said sensor and for converting said at least one measurement to form medical information; and 
 (iii) a communication unit for at least receiving said medical information from said processor and for at least transmitting said medical information; 
   
       wherein said measuring device is configured to be attached to the wrist of a first hand of said subject and wherein said sensor is configured to be touched by a finger of a second hand of said subject to perform said SpO2 measurement. 
     
     
         94 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein said sensor comprises two light sources and a photoelectric detector. 
     
     
         95 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein said light sources are LEDs (light emitting diodes). 
     
     
         96 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein one of said light sources emits infrared band light and the other emits red-band light. 
     
     
         97 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein light from said light sources is reflected from said subject onto said photoelectric detector, and wherein said photoelectric detector converts said light to an electronic signal processed by said processor. 
     
     
         98 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  further comprising a flexible support for supporting said sensor. 
     
     
         99 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein further comprising flexible, opaque material for surrounding said sensor. 
     
     
         100 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  additionally comprising a switch mounted on said measuring device and configured to switch on and off at least one of said measuring device, said sensor, said processor and said communication unit. 
     
     
         101 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 100  wherein said switch is mounted beside said sensor. 
     
     
         102 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 100  wherein said switch is mounted beneath said sensor and said sensor and switch are configured to operate said switch when said sensor is touched by said finger of said subject. 
     
     
         103 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein said transmitting said medical information comprises wireless transmission. 
     
     
         104 . A system for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  additionally comprising:
 a gateway device configured for at least receiving said medical information from said communication unit and for at least transmitting said medical information to a remote location.   
     
     
         105 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 100  additionally comprising:
 a non-volatile memory for storing at least one instruction for execution by said processor.   
     
     
         106 . A system for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 104  wherein said gateway device is a mobile gateway device and wherein said system is configured to be carried by said subject. 
     
     
         107 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein said medical information is automatically transmitted to said mobile gateway device if said measurement is outside of an acceptable range. 
     
     
         108 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 93  wherein said transmitted medical information is analyzed at least partially automatically by said mobile gateway device. 
     
     
         109 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 108  automatically transmitting an alarm to said remote location via said mobile gateway device if a level of the physiological parameter of the subject is outside of an expected range. 
     
     
         110 . A system for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 104  wherein said mobile gateway device is configured for automatically receiving and relaying said medical information, and wherein said medical information is relayed according a method chosen from the group consisting of: a packet format, an Internet format, GPRS (general packet radio service), an SMS (Short Message Service) format, an MMS (Multi Media Service) format, electronic mail, and Internet based messaging. 
     
     
         111 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject, comprising:
 (a) a fastening article for being fastened to the wrist of a first hand of the subject; and   (b) a measuring device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the subject, said measuring device configured to be attached to the wrist by said fastening article, said measuring device comprising:
 (i) at least one sensor for measuring at least oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the blood of the subject; 
 (ii) a processor for receiving a signal from said sensor and for converting said at least one measurement to form medical information; and 
 (iii) a communication unit for at least receiving said medical information from said processor and for at least transmitting said medical information; 
   
       wherein said measuring device is configured to be attached to the wrist and wherein said sensor is mounted on the bottom said of said device facing the skin of said wrist. 
     
     
         112 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 111  wherein said sensor is mounted to make contact with said wrist at a blood pressure pulse point. 
     
     
         113 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 111  wherein said device automatically and periodically performs said measurement of oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         114 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 111  wherein at least one member of the group consisting of the frequency of said periodic measurement and the time period during which measurements are stored is modifiable. 
     
     
         115 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject according to  claim 111  additionally comprising a non volatile memory operative to store said measurement of oxygen saturation for being downloaded at later time. 
     
     
         116 . A method for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject, comprising:
 (a) fastening a measuring device to a wrist of a first hand of the subject, said measuring device comprising:
 (i) at least one sensor for measuring at least oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the blood of the subject; 
 (ii) a processor for receiving a signal from said sensor and for converting said at least one measurement to form medical information; and 
 (iii) a communication unit for at least receiving said medical information from said processor and for at least transmitting said medical information; and 
   (b) touching said sensor with a finger of a second hand of said subject to perform said SpO2 measurement.   
     
     
         117 . A device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject, comprising:
 A method for measuring at least one physiological parameter of a subject, comprising:
 (a) fastening a measuring device to a wrist of a first hand of the subject, said measuring device comprising:
 (i) at least one sensor for measuring at least oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the blood of the subject, wherein said sensor is mounted on the bottom said of said device facing the skin of said wrist; 
 (ii) a processor for receiving a signal from said sensor and for converting said at least one measurement to form medical information; and 
 (iii) a communication unit for at least receiving said medical information from said processor and for at least transmitting said medical information; and 
 
 (b) operating said sensor to perform said SpO2 measurement.