Wearable mini-size intelligent healthcare system

Abstract

A system and method for the wearable mini-size intelligent healthcare system, comprising one or multiple vital signal sensors, activity sensors, a real-time detection and analyzing module for continuous health monitoring, adjustable user setting mode with the adaptive optimization, data-collecting capability to record important health information, smart audio outputs beep and speech advice to the user through audio path and audio interface, preset and user confirmable alarm conditions via wireless communications network to the appropriate individual for prompt and necessary assistance. The system uses non-invasive monitoring technology for continuous, painless and bloodless health state monitoring. The system also works through the short range RF link with carry-on PDA or cell phone for displaying health information, making urgent contact to support center, doctor or individual, or for information transmission with a healthcare center.

1 . A healthcare system comprising:
 a shell configured to be worn around an ear of a subject;   at least one physiological sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting a physiological variable representing a physiological condition of the subject;   at least one activity sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting an activity variable representing activity of the subject;   at least one environment sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting an environment variable representing the subject's environment;   a processing module provided to the shell for processing the physiological, activity and environment variables and for generating an output signal based on the physiological, activity, and environment variables; and   an output device provided to the shell for outputting said output signal to notify the subject of a health condition.   
     
     
         2 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the output device is a speaker and the output signal is an audible signal and wherein the healthcare system further comprises an audio path for transmitting the audible signal to the subject's ear such that the audio path does not block the passage of external audio signals to the subject's ear. 
     
     
         3 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the physiological sensor comprises at least one of an oximetry sensor (SpO2), temperature sensor, or glucose sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a health variable representing the subject's health condition and the output signal is based on the health condition. 
     
     
         5 . The healthcare system of  claim 1 , wherein the activity sensors comprise sensors configured to detect a fall. 
     
     
         6 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a respiratory rate and the output signal is based on the respiratory rate. 
     
     
         7 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a sleep quality variable representing the subject's quality of sleep and the output signal is based on the sleep quality variable. 
     
     
         8 . The healthcare system as in  claim 1 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine if sleep apnea has occurred and the output signal is based on the occurrence of sleep apnea. 
     
     
         9 . The healthcare system of  claim 1 , wherein the environment sensor measures and outputs an environmental temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The healthcare system of  claim 2 , wherein the audible signal comprises a voice message to the subject 
     
     
         11 . The healthcare system of  claim 10 , wherein the voice message to the subject comprises a recorded message from a family member of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The healthcare system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adaptive module for providing feedback to the processing module to adjust the output signal based on the feedback. 
     
     
         13 . The healthcare system of  claim 1 , further comprising a contact sensor to determine if the shell of the healthcare system is properly positioned. 
     
     
         14 . The healthcare system of  claim 13 , wherein the processing module provides an alarm if the contact sensor determines that the shell is not properly positioned. 
     
     
         15 . The healthcare system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communications interface for downloading and uploading data. 
     
     
         16 . The healthcare system of  claim 15 , wherein said data comprises device identification and a subject profile including subject's name, home address, medical history and current measurements. 
     
     
         17 . A healthcare system comprising:
 a shell configured to be worn around an ear of a subject;   at least one physiological sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting a physiological variable representing a physiological condition of the subject;   at least one activity sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting an activity variable representing activity of the subject;   at least one environment sensor provided to the shell for measuring and outputting an environment variable representing the subject's environment;   a processing module provided to the shell for processing the physiological, activity and environment variables and for generating an audible output signal based on the physiological, activity, and environment variables; and   an audio path for outputting the audible output signal, wherein the audio path is configured to deliver the audible output signal to the subject's ear and such that the audio path does not block the passage of external audio signals to the subject's ear.   
     
     
         18 . The healthcare system as in  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a health variable representing the subject's health condition and the output signal is based on the health condition. 
     
     
         19 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , wherein the activity sensors comprise sensors configured to detect a fall. 
     
     
         20 . The healthcare system as in  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a respiratory rate and the output signal is based on the respiratory rate. 
     
     
         21 . The healthcare system as in  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine a sleep quality variable representing the subject's quality of sleep and the output signal is based on the sleep quality variable. 
     
     
         22 . The healthcare system as in  claim 17 , wherein the processing module is configured to process the physiological, activity and environment variables to determine if sleep apnea has occurred and the output signal is based on the occurrence of sleep apnea. 
     
     
         23 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , wherein the environment sensor measures and outputs an environmental temperature. 
     
     
         24 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , wherein the audible signal comprises a voice message to the subject 
     
     
         25 . The healthcare system of  claim 24 , wherein the voice message to the subject comprises a recorded message from a family member of the subject. 
     
     
         26 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , further comprising an adaptive module for providing feedback to the processing module to adjust the output signal based on the feedback. 
     
     
         27 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , further comprising a contact sensor to determine if the shell of the healthcare system is properly positioned. 
     
     
         28 . The healthcare system of  claim 27 , wherein the processing module provides an alarm if the contact sensor determines that the shell is not properly positioned. 
     
     
         29 . The healthcare system of  claim 17 , further comprising a communications interface for downloading and uploading data. 
     
     
         30 . The healthcare system of  claim 29 , wherein said data comprises device identification and a subject profile including subject's name, home address, medical history and current measurements.