Motion energy harvesting with wireless sensors

Abstract

A system and method for generating power when one or more motion sensitive structures are moved. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the one or more motion sensitive structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power module for a physiological sensor, comprising:
 one or more motion sensitive structures which generate power when moved; and   a connector configured to releasably connect to the physiological sensor, wherein the connector is configured to transmit power generated by the one or more motion sensitive structures to the physiological sensor when connected.   
     
     
         2 . The power module of  claim 1 , comprising an energy storing structure that is at least partially charged by the one or more motion sensitive structures. 
     
     
         3 . The power module of  claim 1 , wherein the power module comprises a bracelet. 
     
     
         4 . The power module of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are affixed to the bracelet. 
     
     
         5 . The power module of  claim 1 , wherein the power module comprises a garment. 
     
     
         6 . The power module of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are integrated into the garment. 
     
     
         7 . The power module of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise an inductive energy harvester. 
     
     
         8 . The power module of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise a piezoelectric energy harvester. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a physiological sensor configured to be disposed on a patient's tissue and to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters of the patient; and   a power module, comprising:
 one or more motion sensitive structures which generate power when moved; and 
 a connector configured to releasably connect to the physiological sensor, wherein the connector is configured to transmit power generated by the one or more motion sensitive structures to the physiological sensor when connected. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise:
 a case;   a magnet disposed in the case, wherein the case is configured to enable lateral movement of the magnet within the case; and   a coiled conductor disposed about the case, wherein the lateral movement of the magnet comprises lateral movement of the magnet through the coiled conductor.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , comprising one or more buffers disposed in the case and configured to contact the magnet during the lateral movement of the magnet and to redirect the magnet back through the coiled conductor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , comprising a bracelet, wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are integrated into the bracelet. 
     
     
         13 . The system of claim of  claim 10 , comprising a garment, wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures are integrated into the garment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise a piezoelectric energy harvester. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the physiological sensor comprises a pulse oximetry sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the physiological sensor comprises an encoder storing information about the physiological sensor, information about the power module, or both. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a physiological sensor configured to be disposed on a patient's tissue and to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters of the patient; and   a power module, comprising:
 one or more motion sensitive structures which generate power when moved; and 
 a connector configured to releasably connect to the physiological sensor and to releasably connect to the one or more motion sensitive structures, wherein the connector is configured to transmit power generated by the one or more motion sensitive structures to the physiological sensor when connected. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise a coiled conductor and a magnet configured to laterally move through the coiled conductor, and wherein the coiled conductor and the magnet are integrated into a bracelet. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more motion sensitive structures comprise a piezoelectric energy harvester. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the physiological sensor comprises an encoder storing information about the physiological sensor, information about the power module, or both.