Systems, devices, and methods for measuring loads and forces of a seated subject using scale devices

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects seated on a toilet, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring loads and forces on a scale device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a set of sensors that can measure loads and forces present at a scale device receiving the feet of an individual seated in a toilet.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a scale disposable on a surface in front of a toilet, the scale including:
 a panel configured to receive a foot of a subject seated on the toilet; and 
 a set of sensors disposed below the panel and distributed about a perimeter of the panel, the set of sensors configured to collectively measure forces present on the panel when the foot is received on the panel; and 
   a surround structure disposed around the scale and configured to prevent movement of one or more components of the scale during use.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication interface configured to send signals indicative of the measured forces to a processor such that the processor, in response to receiving the signals, determines at least one of a weight, a ballistocardiogram (BCG), or a posture of the subject based at least on the signals.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to determine at least one of a weight, a BCG, or a posture of the subject based on the signals.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scale further includes:
 a set of bases, each base configured to contact the surface on which the scale is disposed; and   a set of struts, each strut from the set of struts coupled to a sensor from the set of sensors and a base from the set of bases such that, when the foot is received on the panel, the panel can displace toward the set of bases and cause each strut to transfer a signal associated with the displacement of the panel to the sensor coupled to each strut,   the set of sensors configured to collectively measure the forces present on the panel based on the signals transferred by the set of struts.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each sensor from the set of sensors is configured to provide an independent signal representative of the dynamic forces present on the panel when the foot is received on the panel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a processor configured to:
 receive the independent signals from the set of sensors;   reduce noise in one or more of the independent signals by comparing the independent signals to one another; and   determine at least one of a weight, a ballistocardiogram (BCG), or a posture of the subject based on the independent signals after reducing the noise.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scale is a first scale and the set of sensors is a first set of sensors, the apparatus further comprising a second scale including a second set of sensors,
 the first and second scales arranged adjacent to one another such that the subject seated on the toilet can place the foot on the panel of the first scale and another foot on a panel of the second scale,   the first and second sets of sensors configured to collectively measure forces present on the panels of the first and second scales when the feet of the subject are placed on the panels.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first scale is spaced from the second scale by a section of the surround structure extending between the first and second scales. 
     
     
         9 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first and a second panel, each panel configured to receive a different foot of a subject seated on a toilet;   a first and a second housing configured to couple to one another, each of the first and second housings including an area for receiving the first or the second panel; and   a set of sensors including a first subset of sensors disposed within the first housing and a second subset of sensors disposed within the second housing, the first and the second subset of sensors configured to measure forces present on the first and the second panels respectively received within the first and the second housing when the feet of the subject seated on the toilet are placed on the first and the second panels.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a set of pads including a pad disposed above each of the set of sensors, the set of pads extending through openings defined in the first and the second housings and engaging with the first and the second panels respectively received within the first and the second housings,   the set of pads configured to displace downwards in response to the forces being present on the first and the second panels to cause a downward displacement of the set of sensors that corresponds with the forces present on the first and the second panels.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the set of pads include extensions that contact and displace the set of sensors in response to the forces being present on the first and the second panels. 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and the second housing can be configured to decouple from one another. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and the second housing collectively define an area shaped to mate with a base of a toilet. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 a first set of sensors disposed about a ring of a toilet, the first set of sensors configured to collectively measure forces present on the ring when a subject is seated on the ring; and   a scale assembly disposable adjacent to the toilet, the scale assembly including:
 a set of one or more panels configured to receive the feet of the subject when the subject is seated on the ring; and 
 a second set of sensors disposed beneath and distributed about the set of panels, the second set of sensors configured to collectively measure forces present on the set of panels when the feet are received on the set of panels; and 
   a processor operatively coupled to the first and the second sets of sensors and configured to receive signals indicative of the forces measured by the first and the second sets of sensors, the processor configured to determine at least one of a weight, a ballistocardiogram (BCG), or a posture of the subject based on the signals.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor is disposed in the scale assembly. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein each sensor from the second set of sensors is configured to provide an independent signal representative of the dynamic forces present on the set of panels when the feet are received on the set of panels. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive the independent signals from the second set of sensors;   reduce noise in one or more of the independent signals by comparing the independent signals to one another; and   determine the at least one of the weight, the BCG, or the posture of the subject based on the independent signals after reducing the noise.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the scale assembly includes:
 a first scale having a first panel configured to receive a foot of the subject; and   a second scale having a second panel configured to receive another foot of the subject;   the second set of sensors including a first subset of sensors disposed beneath the first panel and a second subset of sensors disposed beneath the second panel,   the first and the second scales being arranged adjacent to one another to receive the feet of the subject when the subject is seated on the ring.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the first scale and the second scale are configured to measure the forces present on the first panel and the second panel independently. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising first and second impedance sensors disposed on at least one panel of the set of panels, the first and the second impedance sensors configured to measure a foot-to-foot impedance of the subject when the feet of the subject are received on the set of panels. 
     
     
         29 - 33 . (canceled)