Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance

Abstract

Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance. A wide variety of different sensor components can capture sensor readings relating to patient attributes. Those sensor readings can then be compared by a processor component to derive a cardiac performance indicator relating to the patient.

1 . An apparatus for detecting a cardiac performance indicator that relates to a patient with a plurality of locations, including a first location and a second location, said apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of sensor components positioned at the plurality of locations, said plurality of sensor components providing for the capture of a plurality of sensor readings, said plurality of sensor components including a first sensor component and a second sensor component, said plurality of sensor readings including a first sensor reading and a second sensor reading, wherein said first sensor reading is captured by said first sensor component at the first location, and wherein said second sensor reading is captured by said second sensor component at the second location; and   a processor component that provides for receiving said plurality of sensor readings and selectively identifying the cardiac performance indicator by comparing said sensor readings.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sensor components includes at least one of: (a) a temperature sensor; (b) a pH sensor; (c) an electrical conductivity sensor; and (d) and an oxygen saturation sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sensor readings are captured at a plurality of moments in time, said plurality of moments in time including a first moment in time and a second moment in time, said plurality of sensor readings further including a third sensor reading and a fourth sensor reading, wherein said first sensor reading is captured at said first moment in time, wherein said second sensor reading is captured at said first moment in time, wherein said third sensor reading is captured at the first location at said second moment in time, and wherein said fourth sensor reading is captured at the second location at said second moment in time. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cardiac performance indicator is an arterial perfusion indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sensor readings include an ambient reading captured by at least one of said plurality of sensor components, and wherein said cardiac performance indicator is selectively influenced by said ambient reading. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising a strip, wherein said plurality of sensor components are physically connected to each other in a single-file sequence by said strip and wherein each sensor component is associated with a relative position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said sensor reading is associated with a relative position pertaining to said sensor component capturing said sensor reading 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said controller is a general purpose computer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said general purpose computer includes at least one of: (a) a smart phone; and (b) a tablet computer. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said controller component includes a display screen and a button. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor components are connected to each other by a strip. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said strip connects said plurality of sensor components to said processor component. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processor component provides for receiving said plurality of sensor readings from said plurality of sensor components over a wired connection. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of foam layers , said plurality of foam layers including a first foam layer and a second foam layer;   a plurality of adhesive layers, said plurality of adhesive layers including first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer;   a peel away layer; and   a circuit board;   wherein said sensor component and said processor are mounted on said circuit board;   wherein said circuit board is positioned between said first foam layer and said second foam layer;   wherein said first adhesive layer is positioned between said circuit board and said second foam layer; and   wherein said second adhesive layer is positioned between second foam layer and said peel away layer.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller, wherein said controller includes a display screen, a plurality of user controls, said plurality of user controls including a button, and said processor component. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said controller provides for receiving a user instruction and transmitting said user instruction to at least one said sensor component, wherein said user instruction pertains to at least one of: (a) a frequency at which said sensor readings are captured; and (b) a threshold value for selectively triggering an alert based by said cardiac performance indicator. 
     
     
         18 . A method for detecting a cardiac performance indicator that relates to a patient, comprising:
 using a plurality of sensor components positioned at a plurality of locations on the skin of the patient to capture a plurality of sensor readings;   using a processor component to compare said plurality of sensor readings; and   using the processor component to identify the cardiac performance indicator from the comparison of sensor readings.   
     
     
         19 . A method for detecting a cardiac performance indicator that relates to a patient, comprising:
 positioning a sensor strip that includes a plurality of skin temperature sensor components on a first appendage of the patient from a core location to an extremity location;   capturing a first set of skin temperature readings pertaining to the first appendage of the patient;   displaying the first set of skin temperature readings as a first gradient; and   calculating a systemic vascular resistance value and a cardiac output estimate using said first gradient;   wherein said cardiac performance indicator is said cardiac output estimate.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 positioning said sensor strip on a second appendage of the patient from a core location to an extremity location;   capturing a second set of skin temperature readings pertaining to the second appendage of the patient;   displaying the second set of skin temperature readings as a second gradient; and   comparing said first gradient to said second gradient;   wherein the identification of said cardiac performance indicator is selectively influenced by the comparing of said first gradient to said second gradient.