Stabilized sensor modules and monitoring devices incorporating same

Abstract

A monitoring device includes a band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, and a sensor module secured to the band via supporting material. The band has a first Durometer value, and the supporting material has a second Durometer value that is lower than the first Durometer value. The sensor module includes a housing, and a sensor assembly disposed within the housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one energy emitter and at least one energy detector, and the housing includes at least one protrusion extending outwardly to accommodate the at least one energy emitter, and a plurality of outwardly extending stabilizing members.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monitoring device, comprising:
 a band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, wherein the band has a first Durometer value; and   a sensor module secured to the band via supporting material, wherein the supporting material has a second Durometer value that is lower than the first Durometer value.   
     
     
         2 . The monitoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module comprises:
 a housing; and   a sensor assembly disposed within the housing, the sensor assembly comprising at least one energy emitter and at least one energy detector, and wherein the housing comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly to accommodate the at least one energy emitter, and a plurality of outwardly extending stabilizing members.   
     
     
         3 . The monitoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting material extends substantially around a periphery of the sensor module. 
     
     
         4 . The monitoring device of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting material substantially surrounds the sensor module. 
     
     
         5 . The monitoring device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one energy emitter is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation, mechanical energy, acoustical energy, electrical energy, and/or thermal energy, and wherein the at least one energy detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, mechanical energy, acoustical energy, electrical energy, and/or thermal energy. 
     
     
         6 . The monitoring device of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the stabilizing members have an outwardly extending length that is greater than an outwardly extending length of the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The monitoring device of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the stabilizing members are substantially cylindrical and have a substantially circular cross-sectional profile, and wherein at least some of the stabilizing members are partially cylindrical and have a partially circular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         8 . The monitoring device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the stabilizing members has a distal end with a rounded configuration, a textured configuration, or a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         9 . The monitoring device of  claim 7 , wherein the textured configuration comprises a plurality of raised bumps. 
     
     
         10 . The monitoring device of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing members are arranged in a pattern. 
     
     
         11 . A monitoring device, comprising:
 a first housing configured to be removably secured to a wearable article, wherein the first housing has a first Durometer value; and   a sensor module secured to the first housing via supporting material, wherein the supporting material has a second Durometer value that is lower than the first Durometer value.   
     
     
         12 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor module comprises:
 a second housing; and   a sensor assembly disposed within the second housing, the sensor assembly comprising at least one energy emitter and at least one energy detector, and wherein the second housing comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly to accommodate the at least one energy emitter, and a plurality of outwardly extending stabilizing members.   
     
     
         13 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the first housing is configured to receive a fastener and is configured to be removably secured to a wearable article via the fastener, and wherein the wearable article is an earbud, an armband, a wristband, a legband, a neckband, a ring, jewelry, glasses, headgear, a patch, an earring, or an article of clothing. 
     
     
         14 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the first housing comprises a first magnet and is configured to be removably secured to a wearable article via a second magnet, and wherein the wearable article is an earbud, an armband, a wristband, a legband, a neckband, a ring, jewelry, glasses, headgear, a patch, a tattoo, an earring, or an article of clothing. 
     
     
         15 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting material extends substantially around a periphery of the sensor module. 
     
     
         16 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting material substantially surrounds the sensor module. 
     
     
         17 . The monitoring device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one energy emitter is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation, mechanical energy, acoustical energy, electrical energy, and/or thermal energy, and wherein the at least one energy detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, mechanical energy, acoustical energy, electrical energy, and/or thermal energy. 
     
     
         18 . The monitoring device of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the stabilizing members have an outwardly extending length that is greater than an outwardly extending length of the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         19 . The monitoring device of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the stabilizing members are substantially cylindrical and have a substantially circular cross-sectional profile, and wherein at least some of the stabilizing members are partially cylindrical and have a partially circular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         20 . The monitoring device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the stabilizing members has a distal end with a rounded configuration, a textured configuration, or a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         21 . The monitoring device of  claim 20 , wherein the textured configuration comprises a plurality of raised bumps. 
     
     
         22 . The monitoring device of  claim 12 , wherein the stabilizing members are arranged in a pattern. 
     
     
         23 . The monitoring device of  claim 11 , wherein the first housing comprises a power source for the sensor module.