Adherent device with multiple physiological sensors

Abstract

An adherent device to monitor a patient for an extended period comprises a breathable tape. The breathable tape comprises a porous material with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient. At least one electrode is affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to a skin of the patient. A printed circuit board is connected to the breathable tape to support the printed circuit board with the breathable tape when the tape is adhered to the patient. Electronic components electrically are connected to the printed circuit board and coupled to the at least one electrode to measure physiologic signals of the patient. A breathable cover and/or an electronics housing is disposed over the circuit board and electronic components and connected to at least one of the electronics components, the printed circuit board or the breathable tape.

What claimed is: 
     
       1. An adherent device to monitor a patient for an extended period, the device comprising:
 a first adherent patch comprising a breathable tape with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient, the adherent patch also comprising a plurality of electrodes affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to the skin of the patient; and 
 an electronics module comprising electrocardiogram circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes and impedance circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes, the electronics module also comprising wireless communications circuitry coupled to the electrocardiogram circuitry and to the impedance circuitry to transmit to a remote server another device an electrocardiogram signal derived from an output of the electrocardiogram circuitry and a hydration signal derived from an output of the impedance circuitry; 
 wherein the electronics module is coupled to the breathable tape to support the electronics module when the tape is adhered to the patient; 
 and wherein the electronics module is separable from the adherent patch such that the electronics module can be reused with a second adherent patch to provide monitoring for an extended period; 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient; and 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable tape to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable tape, and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the electronics module, wherein the gel cover is configured to inhibit transmission of liquid water and permit transmission of moisture vapor. 
 
     
     
       2. The adherent device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics module further comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the wireless communications circuitry is coupled to the accelerometer to transmit to the remote server other device an inclination signal derived from an output of the accelerometer. 
     
     
       3. The adherent device of  claim 1 , wherein the adherent patch is disposable. 
     
     
       4. The adherent device of  claim 1 , wherein the adherent patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient. 
     
     
       5. The adherent device of  claim 4 , wherein the adherent patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable tape to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable tape and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the electronics module. 
     
     
       6. The adherent device of  claim 1 , further comprising a breathable cover disposed over the electronics module. 
     
     
       7. The adherent device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least four electrodes arranged linearly, the four electrodes comprising two end electrodes and two inner electrodes, and wherein the distance between the inner electrodes is larger than the distance between either end electrode and its adjacent inner electrode. 
     
     
       8. An adherent device to monitor a patient for an extended period, the device comprising:
 a first adherent patch comprising a breathable tape with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient, the adherent patch also comprising a plurality of electrodes affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to the skin of the patient; and 
 an electronics module comprising impedance circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes and electrocardiogram circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes, the electronics module also comprising wireless communications circuitry coupled to the impedance circuitry and to the electrocardiogram circuitry to transmit to a remote server another device a hydration signal derived from an output of the impedance circuitry and an electrocardiogram signal derived from an output of the electrocardiogram circuitry; 
 wherein the electronics module is coupled to the breathable tape to support the electronics module when the tape is adhered to the patient; 
 and wherein the electronics module is separable from the adherent patch such that the electronics module can be reused with a second adherent patch to provide monitoring for an extended period; and 
 wherein the electronics module is coupled to the plurality of electrodes using a flexible connection; 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient; and 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable tape to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable tape, and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the electronics module, wherein the gel cover is configured to inhibit transmission of liquid water and permit transmission of moisture vapor. 
 
     
     
       9. The adherent device of  claim 8 , wherein the electronics module further comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the wireless communications circuitry is coupled to the accelerometer to transmit to the remote server other device an inclination signal derived from an output of the accelerometer. 
     
     
       10. The adherent device of  claim 8 , wherein the adherent patch is disposable. 
     
     
       11. The adherent device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least four electrodes arranged linearly, the four electrodes comprising two end electrodes and two inner electrodes, and wherein the distance between the inner electrodes is larger than the distance between either end electrode and its adjacent inner electrode. 
     
     
       12. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising:
 an adherent device comprising an adherent patch and an electronics module; and 
 an intermediate device; 
 wherein the adherent patch comprises a breathable tape with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient, and a plurality of electrodes affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to the skin of the patient; 
 wherein the electronics module is coupled to the breathable tape to support the electronics module when the tape is adhered to the patient; 
 wherein the electronics module is separable from the adherent patch such that the electronics module can be reused with a second adherent patch to provide monitoring for an extended period; 
 wherein the electronics module comprises electrocardiogram circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes and impedance circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and also comprises wireless communications circuitry coupled to the electrocardiogram circuitry and to the impedance circuitry to transmit to the intermediate device an electrocardiogram signal derived from an output of the electrocardiogram circuitry and a hydration signal derived from an output of the impedance circuitry; 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient; 
 wherein the adherent patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable tape to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable tape and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the electronics module, wherein the gel cover is configured to inhibit transmission of liquid water and permit transmission of moisture vapor; and 
 wherein the intermediate device transmits the electrocardiogram signal and the hydration signal to a remote server. 
 
     
     
       13. A method of monitoring a patient, the method comprising:
 providing an adherent device comprising a first adherent patch and an electronics module, wherein the first adherent patch comprises a breathable tape with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient and the first adherent patch comprises a plurality of electrodes affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to the skin of the patient, wherein the electronics module is coupled to the breathable tape to support the electronics module when the tape is adhered to the patient, and wherein the electronics module comprises electrocardiogram circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes and impedance circuitry coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and also comprises wireless communications circuitry coupled to the electrocardiogram circuitry and to the impedance circuitry to transmit to a remote server another device an electrocardiogram signal derived from an output of the electrocardiogram circuitry and a hydration signal derived from an output of the impedance circuitry, wherein the adherent patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient, and wherein the adherent patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable tape to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable tape and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the electronics module, wherein the gel cover is configured to inhibit transmission of liquid water and permit transmission of moisture vapor; 
 adhering the adherent device to the patient; 
 monitoring the patient for a first period of time, including transmitting the electrocardiogram signal and the hydration signal to the remote server the other device; 
 separating the first adherent patch from the electronics module; 
 providing a second adherent patch like the first; 
 coupling the electronics module to the second adherent patch and adhering the second adherent patch to the skin of the patient; and 
 monitoring the patient for a second period of time, including transmitting the electrocardiogram signal and the hydration signal to the remote server other device. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising disposing of the first adherent patch. 
     
     
       15. The adherent device of claim 1, wherein the gel cover is connected to the breathable tape. 
     
     
       16. The adherent device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module comprises a printed circuit board connected to one or more of the electrocardiogram circuitry, the impedance circuitry, or the wireless communication circuitry, and wherein the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       17. The adherent device of claim 1, wherein the breathable tape has a first porosity, and the gel cover has a second porosity less than the first porosity. 
     
     
       18. The adherent device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module is configured to determine at least one of heart rate variability or heart rate turbulence based on the electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
       19. The adherent device of claim 7, wherein the at least four electrodes comprises four electrodes arranged linearly, the four electrodes comprising two end electrodes and two inner electrodes, and wherein the distance between the inner electrodes is larger than the distance between either end electrode and its adjacent inner electrode. 
     
     
       20. The adherent device of claim 8, wherein the gel cover is connected to the breathable tape. 
     
     
       21. The adherent device of claim 8, wherein the electronics module comprises a printed circuit board connected to one or more of the electrocardiogram circuitry, the impedance circuitry, or the wireless communication circuitry, and wherein the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       22. The adherent device of claim 8, wherein the breathable tape has a first porosity, and the gel cover has a second porosity less than the first porosity. 
     
     
       23. The adherent device of claim 8, wherein the electronics module is configured to determine at least one of heart rate variability or heart rate turbulence based on the electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
       24. The adherent device of claim 11, wherein the at least four electrodes comprises four electrodes arranged linearly, the four electrodes comprising two end electrodes and two inner electrodes, and wherein the distance between the inner electrodes is larger than the distance between either end electrode and its adjacent inner electrode. 
     
     
       25. The system of claim 12, wherein the gel cover is connected to the breathable tape. 
     
     
       26. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronics module comprises a printed circuit board connected to one or more of the electrocardiogram circuitry, the impedance circuitry, or the wireless communication circuitry, and wherein the gel cover is disposed between the breathable tape and the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       27. The system of claim 12, wherein the breathable tape has a first porosity, and the gel cover has a second porosity less than the first porosity. 
     
     
       28. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronics module is configured to determine at least one of heart rate variability or heart rate turbulence based on the electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
       29. A device configured to monitor a patient, the device comprising:
 a patch comprising a breathable layer configured to contact to a skin of the patient, the patch also comprising a plurality of electrodes affixed to the breathable layer and configured to electrically couple to the skin of the patient; and   an electronics module configured to be coupled to the breathable layer, and to derive an electrocardiogram signal and a hydration signal via plurality of electrodes;   wherein the patch further comprises a respective gel disposed over a contact surface of each of the plurality of electrodes to electrically connect the respective electrode to the skin of the patient; and   wherein the patch further comprises a gel cover positioned over the breathable layer to inhibit a flow of the gel through the breathable layer, and wherein the electronics module is located over the gel cover such that the gel cover is disposed between the breathable layer and the electronics module, wherein the gel cover is configured to inhibit transmission of liquid water and permit transmission of moisture vapor.