Surgery – Diagnostic testing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2001-05-29
Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
C128S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238338
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a system for monitoring biosignals and, more particularly, to an untethered system for monitoring biosignals of a test subject engaged in a physical activity.
Different biosignals are monitored to detect a variety of physical conditions. Biosignals useful in this regard include, among others, the Electromyographic (EMG) from the muscle, the Electrocardiagraphic (EKG) from the heart, the electroencephalographic (EEG) from the brain, and the Electrooculographic (EOG) from the eyes. Examples of applications entailing biosignal monitoring during physical activity are physical therapies and rehabilitation regimes in the clinical/medical area, strength and fatigue endurance testing in the exercise/fitness area, work related fatigue in the field of ergonomics, muscle performance in research environments, and detection of organophosphates in troops exposed to chemically contaminated battlefields or workers exposed to pesticides and other chemicals commonly used in farm environments. However, biosignal monitoring of subjects engaged in such physical activities has been restricted by the electrical cable tethers utilized between sensors and processing equipment of prior systems.
The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system for monitoring biosignals from test subjects engaged in various types of physical activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a biosignal monitoring system including a plurality of sensors for disposition in predetermined positions on the body of a test subject; each sensor having contact surfaces shaped and arranged to detect a particular biosignal generated in the body, a sensor transceiver, a sensor antenna, a voltage supply, and a microprocessor programmed for processing the particular biosignal to provide given data; and a control station providing a wireless, bi-directional data communications link with the sensors; the control station having a station transceiver, a station antenna, and a computer for further processing the given data received from the sensors. The system simplifies monitoring of desired biosignals generated in the body of a test subject engaged in some form of physical activity.
According to other features of the system, the indicator includes a data display and an audible signal generator. The data display and generator provide the subject with data necessary to evaluate certain performance tasks.
According to yet other features of the system, the sensor includes a substrate portion defining the contact surfaces and an adhesive surface for contacting the skin of the test subject; and a circuit board portion mounted on the substrate and including the sensor transceiver, the sensor antenna, and the microprocessor. This sensor is easily applied to a predetermined position on the body of the test subject.
According to still another feature of the invention, the system includes multiple substrates each defining contact surfaces shaped and arranged to detect a different biosignal, the circuit board is adapted for selective interchangeable mounting on each of the multiple substrates, and the microprocessor is selectively programmed to process the particular different biosignal detected by the substrate supporting the circuit board. These features permit a generic circuit board to efficiently monitor various biosignals.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, the different biosignals include EMG, EKG, EEG and EOG signals. These signals provide a variety of data important in the evaluation of a test subject's activities.
According to other features of the invention, the contact surfaces include signal contact surfaces and a reference contact surface and the microprocessor provides the reference contact surface with a driven signal reference; and the microprocessor includes input stages protected from electrostatic discharge. These features enhance operational performance of the system.
According to another feature of the system, the voltage supply comprises a battery and the control station controls charging of the battery via the communication link and the contact surfaces.
The invention also encompasses a method for detecting and processing biosignals including the steps of providing a plurality of substrates, each defining contact surfaces shaped and arranged to detect a different particular biosignal; providing a circuit board including a transceiver, an antenna, a microprocessor, and a voltage supply; selecting one of the substrates; mounting the circuit board on the one substrate to provide a portable unit; selectively programming the microprocessor to process the particular biosignal associated with the selected substrate; and securing the portable unit on a test subject in a manner to facilitate detection of the particular biosignal by the contact surfaces and processing of the detected biosignal by the microprocessor. The method facilitates use of a generic circuit board to effectively monitor various types of biosignals.
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Bergman Per
DeLuca Carlo J.
DeLuca Gianluca
Gilmore L. Donald
Altec, Inc.
Astorino Michael
Jarcho Harold G.
Toupal John E.
Winakur Eric F.
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