Wireless physiological sensor patches and systems

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for wireless physiological sensor patches and systems which incorporate these patches. The systems and methods utilize a structure where the processing is distributed asymmetrically on the two or more types of ASIC chips that are designed to work together. The invention also relates to systems comprising two or more ASIC chips designed for use in physiological sensing wherein the ASIC chips are designed to work together to achieve high wireless link reliability/security, low power dissipation, compactness, low cost and support a variety of sensors for sensing various physiological parameters.

1 .- 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A patch for measuring a physiological state of a patient, said patch comprising:
 a battery and an antenna each coupled to an integrated circuit comprising a sensor interface that receives physiological signals from a sensor;   a processor coupled to the sensor interface, a memory element coupled to the processor, a radio coupled to the memory element; and   power management circuits that coordinate power dissipation on the patch;   wherein an area of the patch multiplied by a thickness of the patch is less than about 30 cm 3 ; and wherein the patch is configured to permit wirelessly transmission of physiological data for at least about 2 days while monitoring a physiological signal from the patient without changing or recharging the battery.   
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the signal is sampled substantially continuously at greater than 200 Hz. 
     
     
         58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . The patch of  claim 55 , wherein the battery provides a charge of about 250 mA-hours or less. 
     
     
         60 . The patch of  claim 55 , wherein the patch buffers data obtained from monitoring the physiological signal and then transmits the physiological data in bursts. 
     
     
         61 . The patch of  claim 55 , wherein the patch uses on average less than about 10 mW of power. 
     
     
         62 . The patch of  claim 55 , wherein the patch can transmit more than about 1 KB of sensor data per day at a range of up to 30 m. 
     
     
         63 . The patch of  claim 55 , wherein the power management circuits coordinate duty cycle with clock-gating with protocol-level sleep modes. 
     
     
         64 .- 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the sensor comprises electrodes and senses electrical signals. 
     
     
         67 . The patch of  claim 66  wherein the sensor measures EEG, EMG, or ECG signals or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         68 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the patch can send and/or receive both ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband radio signals. 
     
     
         69 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the patch comprises disposable and reusable parts. 
     
     
         70 . The patch of  claim 69  wherein at least one of the sensor or the battery are disposable, and the integrated circuit, the processor, the memory element, or the power management circuits are reusable. 
     
     
         71 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the patch is disposable. 
     
     
         72 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the sensor is separate from the patch and electrically connected to the patch. 
     
     
         73 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the sensor measures ECG, EEG, EMG, SpO 2 , tissue impedance, heart rate, accelerometer, blood glucose, PT-INR, respiration rate and airflow volume, body tissue state, bone state, pressure, physical movement, body fluid density, patient physical location, or audible body sounds, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         74 .- 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the patch further comprises an audio signal generator or a visual display. 
     
     
         78 . The patch of  claim 55  wherein the battery is configured to be re-charged via electromagnetic induction. 
     
     
         79 .- 110 . (canceled) 
     
     
         111 . A method for measuring a physiological state of a patient, said method comprising:
 placing the patch of  claim 55  on a body of the patient; and   receiving physiological signals from a sensor at the patch.   
     
     
         112 .- 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 111 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting, using the patch, physiological data for at least about 4 days. 
     
     
         115 .- 129 . (canceled) 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 111  further comprising generating, via the patch, stimulus signals that are detected by the sensor, which is connected to or incorporated into the patch or is connected to or incorporated into another patch. 
     
     
         131 .- 138 . (canceled) 
     
     
         139 . A method for unsupervised placement of a physiological patch comprising:
 (a) placing the patch on a patient's body, wherein the patch can receive wireless signals from a base device, and wherein the patch comprises a visual marker to help a user orient the patch on the patient's body;   (b) initializing the patch with the base device by automatic verification of proper placement of the patch; and   (c) indicating proper or improper placement of the patch to the user with an audio or visual indication.   
     
     
         140 .- 142 . (canceled)