Physiological monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a physiological monitoring device. Some embodiments of the invention allow for long-term monitoring of physiological signals. Further embodiments may also allow for the monitoring of secondary signals such as motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device for monitoring physiological signals in a mammal, the device comprising:
 at least two flexible wings extending laterally from a rigid housing, wherein the flexible wings comprise a first set of materials which enable the wings to conform to a surface of the mammal and the rigid housing comprises a second set of materials;   a printed circuit board assembly housed within the rigid housing, wherein the rigid housing is configured to prevent deformation of the printed circuit board in response to movement of the mammal;   at least two electrodes embedded within the flexible wings, the electrodes configured to provide conformal contact with the surface of the mammal and to detect the physiological signals of the mammal;   at least two electrode traces embedded within the wings and mechanically decoupled from the rigid housing, the electrode traces configured to provide conformal contact with the surface of the mammal and transmit electrical signals from the electrodes to the printed circuit board assembly; and,   at least one hinge portion connecting the wings to the rigid housing, the hinge portions configured to flex freely at the area where it is joined to the rigid housing.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each wing comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the electrodes are in the same plane as the adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each wing comprises at least one rim, wherein the rim is thinner than an adjacent portion of each wing. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid housing further comprises dimples configured to allow for airflow between the rigid housing and the surface of the mammal. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the rim is configured to prevent the release of a portion of the wing from the surface of the mammal. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a measuring instrument configured to detect motion signals in at least one axis. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the measuring instrument is an accelerometer. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the measuring instrument is configured to detect motion signals in three axes. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the motion signals are collected in time with the physiological signals. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein a motion artifact is identified when the physiological signals and the motion signals match. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising an event trigger coupled to the printed circuit board assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the event trigger input is supported by the rigid housing so as to prevent mechanical stress on the printed circuit board when the trigger is activated. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the event trigger is concave and larger than a human finger such that the event trigger is easily located. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode traces are configured to minimize signal distortion during movement of the mammal. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising gaskets as a means for sealable attachment to the rigid housing. 
     
     
         17 . A method for monitoring physiological signals in a mammal, the method comprising:
 attaching an electronic device to the mammal, wherein the device comprises:
 at least two electrodes configured to detect physiological signals from the mammal, 
 at least one measuring instrument configured to detect secondary signals, and 
 at least two electrode traces connected to the electrodes and a rigid housing; and, 
   comparing the physiological signals to the secondary signals to identify an artifact.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein identification of an artifact comprises a comparison between the frequency spectrum of the physiological signals and the frequency spectrum of the secondary signals. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary signals comprise motion signals. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary signals are used to derive the activity and position of the mammal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary signals are collected in three axes. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a tertiary signal. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary signals comprise information about the connection between the electronic device and the mammal. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising using the secondary signals to detect when the mammal is sleeping. 
     
     
         25 . A method of removing and replacing portions of a modular physiological monitoring device, comprising:
 applying the device of  claim 1  to a mammal for a period of time greater than 7 days and collecting physiological data;   using the device of  claim 1  to detect a first set of physiological signals;   removing the device of  claim 1  from the surface of the mammal;   removing a first component from the device of  claim 1 ; and,   incorporating the first component into a second physiological monitoring device, the second physiological monitoring device configured to detect a second set of physiological signals.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first component is electrically connected to other device components without the use of a permanent connection. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the device further comprises spring connections. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first component is preserved for a second use by a rigid housing to prevent damage. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first component is secured within the device of  claim 1  by a mechanism that is capable of re-securing a second component once the first component is removed.