Wearable biopotential patch with method to optimize comfort and accuracy

Abstract

The described embodiments relate to a self-regulating patch for taking biopotential measurements and balancing accurate measurements and user comfort. The self-regulating patch including: a heating element operable to generate heat that causes formation of sweat at the skin surface; a biopotential sensor; an exterior surface constructed of a moisture wicking material enveloping the heating element; and a logic to concurrently activate the biopotential sensor and transition the self-regulating patch between a plurality of modes, including a comfort mode and an accuracy mode, where in the comfort mode the heating element is inactive and in the accuracy mode the heating element is active.

1 . A self-regulating patch for adhering to a skin surface, comprising:
 a heating element that is operable to generate heat, wherein the heat causes formation of sweat at the skin surface;   an electrocardiogram (“ECG”) sensor;   an exterior surface enveloping the heating element and the ECG sensor, wherein the exterior surface is constructed of a material that draws moisture away from the ECG sensor;   a logic to concurrently:
 activate the ECG sensor, 
 utilize one or more properties of an ECG signal generated by the ECG sensor to infer a moisture level on the skin surface; and 
   transition the self-regulating patch between a plurality of modes, including a comfort mode and   an accuracy mode, based on the inferred moisture level;
 wherein in the comfort mode the heating element is inactive, and 
 wherein in the accuracy mode the heating element is active. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more properties of the ECG signal include a signal-to-noise ratio. 
     
     
         5 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , wherein the accuracy mode comprises a feedback mode,
 wherein the heating element is further operable to generate heat in increments, and   wherein the logic operates the heating element to generate a selected increment of heat, wherein   the increment of heat is selected based on the inferred moisture level.   
     
     
         6 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a metallic mesh disposed adjacent an electrode of the ECG sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a metallic wire disposed on an electrode of the ECG sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , further comprising a moisture sensor to facilitate the transition between the plurality of heating modes. 
     
     
         9 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , further comprising a drying material disposed adjacent an electrode of the ECG sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The self-regulating patch of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element reaches a temperature between about 38 degrees Celsius and about 42 degrees Celsius at the skin surface when active. 
     
     
         11 . A self-regulating patch for adhering to a skin surface, comprising:
 a heating element operable to generate heat in increments, wherein the heat causes formation of sweat at the skin surface;   an electrocardiogram (“ECG”) sensor;   an exterior surface enveloping the heating element and the ECG sensor, wherein the exterior surface is constructed of a material that draws moisture away from the ECG sensor;   a logic to:
 activate the ECG sensor; 
 utilize one or more properties of an ECG signal generated by the ECG sensor to infer a moisture level on the skin surface; 
 determine a selected increment of heat based on the inferred moisture level; and 
   operate the heating element to generate the selected increment of heat.   
     
     
         12 . A method of regulating a biopotential skin patch adhered to a skin surface of a subject in order to balance comfort and moisture levels, wherein the biopotential skin patch comprises a heating element operable to generate heat in increments to cause formation of sweat at the skin surface, a biopotential sensor, an exterior surface that draws moisture away from the biopotential sensor and that envelops the heating element and the biopotential sensor, and a logic operably coupled with the heating element and the biopotential sensor, the method comprising:
 activating, by the logic, the biopotential sensor to measure electrical activity generated by one or more physiological processes of the subject;
 inferring, by the logic, a moisture level based on one or more properties of a signal generated by the biopotential sensor; 
 determining, by the logic, a selected increment of heat based on the inferred moisture level; and 
 operating, by the logic, the heating element to generate the selected increment of heat. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the heating element takes the form of a metallic mesh positioned against an electrode of the biopotential sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more properties of the signal generated by the biopotential sensor includes a signal-to-noise ratio. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the heating element takes the form of a metallic wire positioned adjacent an electrode of the biopotential sensor.