System and Method for Remotely Monitoring Physiological Functions

Abstract

A system and method for remotely monitoring an individual, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. More particularly, one or more physiological functions and/or physical activities of the individual may be monitored. In order to monitor the individual, a range to, and/or a range rate (i.e., velocity) of, one or more points on one or more surfaces of the individual (e.g., skin, clothing, lips, etc.) may be determined over time. Based on the determinations of the range and/or range rate of the points on the surfaces of the individual, the one or more physiological functions and/or physical activities of the individual may be monitored. This may enable the physiological functions and/or physical activities to be monitored remotely from the individual without access or proximity to the individual.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for monitoring an individual, the system comprising:
 a first coherent laser radar section including:
 a laser source that generates a first laser beam, 
 an interferometer that splits the first laser beam into a first target beam that is directed toward a target location on the individual and a first local oscillator beam, and that generates a first combined target beam from a first reflected portion of the first target beam returning from the target location on the individual and the first local oscillator beam; 
   a second coherent laser radar section including:
 a laser source that generates a second laser beam, 
 an interferometer that splits the second laser beam into a second target beam that is directed toward the target location on the individual coincident with the first target beam and a second local oscillator beam, and that generates a second combined target beam from a second reflected portion of the second target beam returning from the target location on the individual and the second local oscillator beam; 
   a processor that determines a range and an instantaneous velocity for each of one or more points on the skin or the clothing of the individual over a period of time from the first combined target beam and the second combined target beam, and   wherein the processor monitors one or more physiological functions or physical activities of the individual based on the ranges and the instantaneous velocities determined by the processor.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the processor determines one or more general trends in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities and one or more residual deviations in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities, and monitors the one or more physiological functions or physical activities of the individual based on the general trends in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities and/or the residual deviations in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor estimates body motion of the individual from the general trends in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities, estimates vibrations of the skin or the clothing of the individual from the residual deviations from the general trends in the ranges and the instantaneous velocities, and monitors the one or more physiological functions or physical activities of the individual based on the estimated body motion and/or the estimated vibrations. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more physiological functions or physical activities comprise at least one of a cardiovascular function or a respiratory function. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more physiological functions or physical activities comprise at least one of a heart rate, a heart rate variability, a pulse transit time, a pulse shape, a respiration rate, or a respiratory effort. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more physiological functions or physical activities comprise at least one of speaking, coughing, sneezing, walking, or running.