Portable electronic hemodynamic sensor systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for extracting hemodynamic information, optionally employing portable electronic devices with optional User Interface (UI) features for system implementation. The systems and methods may be employed for acquiring hemodynamic signals and associated electrophysiological data and/or analyzing the former or both in combination to yield useful physiological indicia or results. Such hardware and software is advantageously used for non-invasively monitoring cardiac health.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A system comprising:
 a vibration sensor adapted to capture a vibrational signal, and a computer processor,   wherein the computer processor is adapted to resolve each of a pulse pressure waveform and an Embedded Frequency corresponding to sound of the heart from the vibrational signal, and   wherein the processor is further adapted to, using the Embedded Frequency and the pulse pressure waveform, calculate at least one physiological parameter.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the physiological parameter is selected from at least one of Dicrotic Notch (DN) position of the pulse pressure wave form, Ejection Fraction (EF) and systolic time intervals. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the computer processer is further adapted to calculate Intrinsic Frequency (IF) parameters ω 1  and ω 2  on each side of the DN. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the vibration sensor comprises a light source and a light sensor. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the light sensor is an LED in a smartphone camera. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the vibration sensor further comprising a membrane, the membrane made of a material selected to be at least partially reflective to the light source on an inner surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane comprises metal or is metalized on the inner surface. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane material is selected to reduce light passing from an outer surface of the membrane to the sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the material substantially eliminates light passing from the outer surface. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the membrane comprises metal or is metalized on at least one surface. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, wherein the processor is further adapted for producing an ECG signal. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the computer processor is further adapted to calculate Ejection Fraction (EF) using the Embedded Frequency, the pressure waveform and the ECG signal. 
     
     
         38 . A method comprising:
 positioning a vibration sensor on a subject's skin at a location peripheral to a the subject's heart,   capturing a vibrational signal of skin motion,   resolving the vibrational signal into each of a pressure waveform signal and an Embedded Frequency signal corresponding to sound of the heart, and   calculating with a computer processor, using the Embedded Frequency signal and the pulse pressure waveform signal, at least one physiological parameter   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising determining a Dichroitic Notch (DN) position within the pressure waveform signal using the Embedded Frequency signal with the computer processor. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising calculating Intrinsic Frequency (IF) parameters ω 1  and ω 2  with the computer processor. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising calculating Ejection Fraction (EF) with the computer processor using ω 1  and ω 2 . 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 positioning a plurality of electrocardiogram sensors on the subject, and   detecting an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising calculating Ejection Fraction (EF) using the Embedded Frequency signal, the pressure waveform signal and the ECG signal with a computer processor. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the vibration sensor detects light intensity reflected from a source. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the detected light intensity is reflected off of a membrane. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the light intensity is reflected off a metal or metalized surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the light intensity is substantially free of background light transmitted through the membrane. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 38 , performed with a handheld device. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the handheld device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the vibration sensor and a first ECG electrode, both at a face of the handheld device are positioned together, and the method further comprises selecting a second ECG electrode from a finger electrode of the device and a plug-in electrode for the device and contacting the subject's skin at a second location with the selected sensor contact. 
     
     
         51 - 110 . (canceled)