Noninvasive physiological analysis using wearable solid state optical and mechanical devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for qualifying and quantifying excitation-dependent physiological information extracted from wearable sensors in the midst of interference from unwanted sources are provided. An organism is interrogated with at least one excitation energy, energy response signals from two or more distinct physiological regions are sensed, and these signals are processed to generate an extracted signal. The extracted signal is compared with a physiological model to qualify and/or quantify a physiological property. Additionally, important physiological information can be qualified and quantified by comparing the excitation wavelength-dependent response, measured via wearable sensors, with a physiological model.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sensor module designed to be worn against the skin of an organism near a region of the organism having blood flow, wherein the sensor module comprises:
 at least one solid state optical emitter configured to direct optical energy at the organism;   at least one solid state optical detector configured to detect scattered light signals from the organism;   at least one microelectromechanical detector configured to detect mechanical energy signals from the organism; and   at least one processor in communication with the at least one solid state optical detector and the at least one microelectromechanical detector, wherein the at least one processor is configured to process the scattered light and mechanical energy signals to produce an extracted signal.   
     
     
         3 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to produce an extracted signal that contains cleaner information about changes in blood vessel size during blood flow. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to process the extracted signal that contains cleaner information about at least one physiological property and/or condition of the organism. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor module of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one physiological property and/or condition of the organism comprises one or more of the following: skin properties, blood flow properties, blood pressure, blood vessel properties, and vital signs. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one solid state optical emitter, the at least one solid state optical detector, and the at least one microelectromechanical detector are integrated into a monolithic device. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one microelectromechanical detector comprises at least one piezoelectric element. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one solid state optical emitter, the at least one solid state optical detector, and the at least one microelectromechanical detector comprise an array of solid state optical emitters, solid state optical detectors, and microelectromechanical detectors 
     
     
         9 . The sensor module of  claim 8 , wherein the array is a monolithic array. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor module of  claim 8 , wherein the array is a partially monolithic array. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the extracted signal contains less motion artifacts than the scattered light or mechanical energy signals. 
     
     
         12 . A sensor module designed to be worn against the skin of an organism near a region of the organism having blood flow, wherein the sensor module comprises:
 an array of elements configured to direct optical energy at the organism, to detect scattered light signals from the organism, and to detect mechanical energy signals from the organism; and   at least one processor in communication with the array, wherein the at least one processor is configured to process the scattered light and mechanical energy signals to produce an extracted signal.   
     
     
         13 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to produce an extracted signal that contains cleaner information about changes in blood vessel size during blood flow. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to process the extracted signal that contains cleaner information about at least one physiological property and/or condition of the organism. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor module of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one physiological property and/or condition of the organism comprises one or more of the following: skin properties, blood flow properties, blood pressure, blood vessel properties, and vital signs. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the array of elements is an array of light emitting/detecting elements. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the array of elements is a monolithic array. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the array of elements is a partially monolithic array. 
     
     
         19 . A sensor module designed to be worn against the skin of an organism near a region of the organism having blood flow, wherein the sensor module comprises:
 multiple solid state optical emitters configured to direct optical energy at the organism, wherein at least two optical emitters emit light at non-identical wavelengths;   at least one solid state optical detector configured to detect scattered light signals from the organism;   at least one microelectromechanical detector configured to detect mechanical energy signals from the organism; and   at least one processor in communication with the at least one solid state optical detector and the at least one microelectromechanical detector.   
     
     
         20 . The sensor module of  claim 19  wherein the at least one processor is configured to process the scattered light and mechanical energy signals to produce an extracted signal.