Patent Application
20100225476
Devices for detecting movements are used in different areas, e.g., in sports, the fitness industry, and in medicine. These products aim mostly at movements during running, movements during walking and similar movements.
German Patent No. DE 101 64 534 describes, for example, a device for determining movement characteristics of a human body or an animal body, which includes a sensor system fastenable to the body, an analyzing device separate from the sensor system, and transmitting means for transmitting signals to the analyzing device. However, the device described in German Patent No. DE 101 64 534 is difficult to handle, clean, and maintain, in particular due to the plurality of individual elements.
The subject matter of the present invention is a patch for detecting movements of a body, in particular a human or animal body, e.g., a patient, which has a motion sensor, an analyzing device, a data transmitting device, and a power supply device.
The patch according to the present invention has the advantage that multiple functions are combined in one element. In this way, individual function elements cannot get lost and handling is simplified.
Integrating an analyzer device into the patch has the additional advantage that compatibility problems with connected devices are reduced or even avoided in the event of changes to or refinements of the patch or the analyzing method. Among other things, a plurality of differently specialized patches according to the present invention may be read out using a simple query device, e.g., for sports, rehabilitation, medication adjustment, coma monitoring and tremor measurement.
The design as a patch enables easy attachment, even with loosely fitting clothing (hospital clothing), in particular underneath the clothing, in the event of restricted movements, in particular impaired fine motoricity of the person applying the patch/patient and in the event of mechanical stresses due to movements when lying down. In addition, no help by the patient is necessary in attaching the patch. Moreover, a displacement or change in position of the motion sensor may be avoided by using a patch. Furthermore, pressure points on the patient's body are reduced or even avoided and the wearing comfort is improved. In particular, the patient's sleep is not affected or is barely affected. Furthermore, repeated attaching/removing during the course of the day may be avoided.
The patch according to the present invention may basically be attached to any part of the body, e.g., the abdomen, the arms, or the legs.
Within the scope of a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the patch is a disposable patch. This is particularly advantageous, especially for sanitary reasons. After use, the patch is pulled off and discarded, thereby omitting cleaning, charging and/or maintenance. This yields the advantage that the burden on nursing staff may be reduced.
The motion sensor is preferably designed for measuring movements of a body and for outputting measured data, in particular to the analyzer device or a data storage unit. In particular, the motion sensor may be an acceleration sensor. The motion sensor, in particular the acceleration sensor, is preferably a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS). “Micro-electromechanical systems” are understood to be micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and also smaller electromechanical systems such as nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS). Furthermore, the motion sensor, in particular the acceleration sensor, is designed for detecting accelerations in two, in particular three, dimensions.
The analyzer device is preferably designed for receiving and processing measured data from the motion sensor. In addition, the analyzer device is preferably designed for outputting analyzed data to the data transmitting device. The measured data of the motion sensor may be processed by the analyzer device with respect to different criteria. Criteria may include for example: movement patterns (e.g., walking, running, lying down), occurring or non-occurring movement (e.g., of sleeping, bed-ridden, dementia, or coma patients) and/or length of movement phases. The analyzer device may include an integrated circuit (IC), e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), in particular a microprocessor. In particular, the analyzer device may be an integrated circuit (IC), e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), in particular a microprocessor.
Within the scope of one specific embodiment, the patch furthermore includes a data storage unit. The data storage unit may be integrated into the analyzer device. The data storage unit is preferably designed for storing, in particular buffering, measured data from the motion sensor and/or processed data from the analyzer device. In this way, data may advantageously be collected over a longer period of time and the number of queries may be reduced.
The data transmission device is preferably designed for receiving processed data from the analyzer device and for, in particular, wireless transmission of processed data to an external query device, for example. The data transmission device may include an antenna or may be designed as an antenna. In particular, the data transmission device may be a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder. The term RFID means: Identification with the aid of electromagnetic waves (Radio Frequency Identification, RFID). By configuring the data transmission device as a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder, the data transmission device may also use already present elements, e.g., an integrated circuit of the analyzer device and/or a data storage unit.
The data may be read out preferably by a stationary query device, e.g., a base station or by a mobile, e.g., handheld reader or a cell phone. The query device may have a display device and/or an acoustic alarm device and/or a visual alarm device. In particular, the query device may be an RFID reader.
The power supply device is preferably designed for the direct or indirect power supply of the motion sensor, the analyzer device, and the data transmission device. Direct power supply is understood in particular that the motion sensor, the analyzer device, and the data transmission device are each supplied with power from the power supply device via its own electrical line. Indirect power supply is understood in particular that at least one of these components, e.g., the motion sensor or the data transmission device, is supplied with power from the power supply device via another component, e.g., the analyzer device. The power supply device may be a battery. A battery is particularly advantageous for use with essentially resting bodies. However, the power supply device may also be a mechanical-electrical energy converter, in particular a piezoelectric generator. This is particularly advantageous for use on intensively moving bodies, e.g., in sports.
Within the scope of another preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit are designed to be bendable. In particular, the motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit are designed as a bendable, e.g., one-piece, electronic module. This may be implemented, among other things, by a shared bendable or flexible printed circuit board.
The patch has preferably an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is preferably a skin-tolerant, preferably allergen-free adhesive agent.
Moreover, the patch may have a supporting layer. In particular, the patch may have a supporting layer which is provided with an adhesive layer. The supporting layer may be made from a textile fabric, for example. The motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit may be situated on the supporting layer, in particular opposite the adhesive layer.
Within the scope of a further preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the patch has a sealing layer. The sealing layer makes it possible to advantageously protect the motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit or the electronic module from external, e.g., mechanical or chemical, effects, and the wearing comfort for the patient is improved. The sealing layer is preferably bendable and/or flexible and/or elastic. The motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit may be situated in the sealing layer or may be covered by the sealing layer. The electronic module in particular may be situated in the sealing layer or may be covered by the sealing layer. In particular, the patch may have a sandwich-like construction in which the adhesive layer, the supporting layer, and the sealing layer rest on one another in a sandwich-like manner. The supporting layer may be situated between the sealing layer and the adhesive layer, for example. However, it is also possible within the scope of the present invention to omit the supporting layer. For example, the patch may have a sealing layer which is provided with an adhesive layer or which has an adhesive layer.
Within the scope of a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the motion sensor and the data transmission device and the power supply device and the analyzer device and possibly the data storage unit are integrated into a housing.
Another subject matter of the present invention is the use of a patch according to the present invention
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102009001398.9 | Mar 2009 | DE | national |
