Pulse oximeter sensor assembly and methods of using same

Abstract

A pulse oximeter sensor assembly and a method for monitoring and assessing a physical state of a subject with the assembly are provided. The assembly includes a pulse oximeter sensor, an indicator device, a processor coupled to the pulse oximeter sensor and the indicator device, a base layer configured to conform to a temporal region of the subject's head, and a mounting assembly configured to enable securing of the pulse oximeter sensor assembly in the temporal region of the subject's head. By positioning the assembly in the temporal region of the subject's head, the assembly can utilized data taken from the temporal artery and provide an external indication as to the physical status of the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring and assessing a physical state of a subject, comprising
 positioning a pulse oximeter sensor assembly over the temporal region of a subject's head, proximate to the temporal artery, the pulse oximeter sensor assembly comprising:
 a waterproof housing; 
 a pulse oximeter sensor operably coupled to the waterproof housing and configured to evaluate conditions in the temporal artery of the subject and to generate a pulse-ox signal in response thereto, the pulse-ox signal comprising data related to the subject's heart beat rate, blood oxygen saturation level, or both; 
 a pressure sensor operably coupled to the waterproof housing and configured to detect pressure; and 
 a processor operably coupled to pulse oximeter sensor and the pressure sensor and configured to generate an output signal based on the pulse-ox signal and the detected pressure; 
   obtaining the pulse-ox signal and the detected pressure;   comparing the subject's heart beat rate to a predetermined threshold heart beat rate, comparing the subject's blood oxygen saturation level to a predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level, or both; and   based on the comparison, generating an output signal to an indicator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the pulse oximeter sensor assembly further comprises:
 affixing the pulse oximeter sensor assembly to a head band, a goggle strap, or an eye glass temple.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing the subject's heart beat rate to a predetermined threshold heart beat rate further comprises:
 determining whether the subject's heart beat rate is greater than the predetermined threshold heart beat rate.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing the subject's blood oxygen saturation level to a predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level further comprises:
 determining whether the subject's blood oxygen saturation level is less than the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold heart beat rate, the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level, or both are based on the subject's level of fitness. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an underwater depth or an altitude is determined in relation to the detected pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate detected pressure is safe; and   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate detected pressure is unsafe.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold heart beat rate, the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level, or both is exceeded; and   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate that the heart beat rate, the blood oxygen saturation level, or both are within respective threshold limits.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate that the heart beat rate, the blood oxygen saturation level, or both are within respective threshold limits   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold heart beat rate is exceeded; and   illuminating a third light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level is exceeded.   
     
     
         10 . A method for monitoring and assessing a physical state of a subject, comprising
 obtaining a pulse-ox signal from the temporal artery of the subject, the pulse-ox signal comprising heart beat rate and blood oxygen saturation level;   detecting an environmental pressure;   comparing the obtained heart beat rate to a predetermined threshold heart beat rate and the obtained blood oxygen saturation level to a predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level; and   based on the comparison, generating an output signal to an indicator.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein comparing the obtained heart beat rate to a predetermined threshold heart beat rate further comprises:
 determining whether the obtained heart beat rate is greater than the predetermined threshold heart beat rate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein comparing the obtained blood oxygen saturation level to a predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level further comprises:
 determining whether the obtained blood oxygen saturation level is less than the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined threshold heart beat rate, the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level, or both are based on the subject's level of fitness. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an underwater depth is determined in relation to the detected pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate detected pressure is safe; and   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate detected pressure is unsafe.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold heart beat rate, the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level, or both is exceeded; and   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate that the heart beat rate, the blood oxygen saturation level, or both are within respective threshold limits.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator includes a plurality of lights, the method further comprising:
 illuminating a first light of the plurality to indicate that the heart beat rate, the blood oxygen saturation level, or both are within respective threshold limits   illuminating a second light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold heart beat rate is exceeded; and   illuminating a third light of the plurality to indicate that the predetermined threshold blood oxygen saturation level is exceeded.