Device, system and method for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters

Abstract

A system for monitoring vital signs, configured to be used in conjunction with a computerized mobile device, the system including: a cover sensor assembly adapted to be operably engaged with the computerized mobile device, the cover sensor assembly having integrated therein at least one physiological sensor; a physiological data acquisition module configured to generate a physiological parameter measurement descriptive of a physical stimulus received by the at least one physiological sensor; and a validation module configured to control a validity status of the physiological parameter measurement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring vital signs, configured to be used in conjunction with a computerized mobile device, the system comprising:
 a cover sensor assembly adapted to be operably engaged with the computerized mobile device, said cover sensor assembly having integrated therein at least one physiological sensor;   a physiological data acquisition module configured to generate a physiological parameter measurement descriptive of a physical stimulus received by said at least one physiological sensor and   a validation module configured to control a validity status of said physiological parameter measurement,   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one validation sensor, positioned so as to be used in conjunction with said at least one physiological sensor and configured to provide validation data to said validation module to determine said validity status of said physiological parameter Measurement. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one validation sensor configured to sense Whether said at least one physiological sensor is positioned to receive said physical stimulus in a valid manner. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one physiological sensor is a photoplethysmograph sensor and said at least one validation sensor is selected from a group of sensors including: a pressure sensor, a position sensor, a capacitance sensor, a conductance sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one physiological sensor is selected from the group including: a temperature sensor, a heart rate sensor, an ECG sensor, a photoplethysmograph sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a blood composition sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one validation sensor is selected from a group of sensors including: a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a temperature sensor, an impedance sensor, a capacitance sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometer, a barometer, a light sensor, proximity sensor, a position sensor, a conductance sensor and a humidity sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one physiological Sensor includes a capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one validation sensor is integrated into said cover sensor assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one validation sensor includes a plurality of said validation sensors, at least one of which is integrated into the computerized mobile device operably engaged with said cover sensor assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one validation sensor includes a plurality of said validation sensors, at least one of said plurality of validation sensors is integrated into said cover sensor assembly and at least one of said plurality of validation sensors is integrated into the computerized mobile device operably engaged with said cover sensor assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one physiological sensor includes a plurality of said physiological sensors, at least one of which is integrated in the computerized mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one physiological sensor includes a capacitive touch screen of the computerized mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one physiological or is built into a location on said cover sensor assembly selected from the group comprising: a backside, a front side and a sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one validation sensor is built into a location on said cover sensor assembly selected from the group comprising a backside, a front side and a sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . A system for monitoring vital signs, configured to be used in conjunction with a computerized mobile device, the system comprising:
 a cover sensor assembly adapted to be operably engaged with the computerized mobile device, said cover sensor assembly having integrated therein an array of conductive elements, each of said conductive elements being electrically isolated from other said conductive elements, such that when a sub-group of said conductive elements are electrically coupled together said sub-group operates as a first physiological sensor; and   a physiological data acquisition module configured to generate data descriptive of a physical stimulus received by said first physiological sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a second sub-group of said conductive elements operate as a second physiological sensor when said second sub-group of conductive sensors are electrically coupled together and said physiological data acquisition module is further adapted to generate data descriptive of physical stimuli received by said first physiological sensor and said second physiological sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a third sub-group of said conductive elements operate as a third physiological sensor when said third sub-group of conductive sensors are electrically coupled together and said physiological data acquisition module is further adapted to generate data descriptive of physical stimuli received by said first, second and third physiological sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said array of conductive elements is a line-column array. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said conductive elements are hexagonal in shape and arranged in a grid formation such that at least one side of each of said hexagonal shaped conductive elements abuts a side of another of said hexagonal shaped conductive elements in said grid formation. 
     
     
         19 . A system for monitoring vital signs, configured to be used in conjunction with a computerized mobile device, the system comprising:
 a cover sensor assembly adapted to be operably engaged with the computerized mobile device, said cam sensor assembly having integrated therein an electrical connector port, said electrical connector port having a male-shaped end and a female-shaped end, said male-shaped end adapted to engage a power port of the computerized mobile device and said female-shaped end adapted to receive an external power coupling, said electrical port having a connected state and a disconnected state, wherein in said connected state, said cover sensor assembly is electrically coupled with the computerized mobile device and in said disconnected state, said cover sensor assembly is electrically disconnected from said computerized mobile device;   said electrical connector port transforming from said connected state to said disconnected state when said external power coupling is inserted in said female-shaped end of said electrical connector port.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said electrical connector port comprises: two power pins and two data pins;
 wherein said external power coupling, when inserted in said electrical connector port, causes said two power pins to disengage from power couplings of said cover assembly in said electrical connector port, such that said electrical connector port is electrically disconnected from said external power coupling while adapted to be in electrical communication with the computerized mobile device.