CN102065773A

CN102065773A - Doppler motion sensor apparatus and method of using same

Info

Publication number: CN102065773A
Application number: CN2009801223184A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 达恩·古尔·弗曼
Original assignee: CARDIOART TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Current assignee: CARDIOART TECHNOLOGIES Ltd; Cardio Art Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-12
Filing date: 2009-05-12
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-12
Also published as: CN102202568A; JP2011526498A; JP5650104B2; WO2009138881A2; IL209212A; IL209210A0; JP5591794B2; WO2009138882A3; IL209213A0; CA2722593A1; EP2282667A4; IL209211A0; EP2282671A2; WO2009138882A2; WO2009138882A4; JP2011519704A; IL209211A; EP2285288A4; WO2009138883A2; WO2009138880A3

Abstract

An apparatus for, and method of, sensing characteristics of a vessel and a fluid conveyed therein. In one embodiment, the sensing device for acquiring signals and computing measurements comprises a sensor including one or more transducers for transmitting acoustic energy, receiving acoustic energy, and converting the received acoustic'energy into one or more signals, the one or more transducers facing a side of a vessel, a computing device operating the one or more transducers and processing the one or more signals to obtain measurement values, and a housing enclosing the sensor and the computing device.

Description

The method of Doppler motion sensor device and use Doppler motion sensor device

The cross reference related application

The application required all in the 12/119th of being entitled as of submitting on May 12nd, 2008 " OPTICAL SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME (optical sensor arrangement and use the method for optical sensor arrangement) ", No. 315 U.S. Patent applications, be entitled as " DOPPLER MOTION SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME (Doppler motion sensor device and use the method for Doppler motion sensor device) " the 12/119th, No. 339 U.S. Patent applications, be entitled as " INTEGRATED HEART MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING SAME (integrated cardiac monitoring equipment and use the method for integrated cardiac monitoring equipment) " the 12/119th, No. 325 U.S. Patent applications, be entitled as " METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A HEALTH CONDITION (being used to monitor the method and system of health status) " the 12/119th, No. 462 U.S. Patent applications and in the 12/206th of JIUYUE in 2008 being entitled as of submitting in 9th " DOPPLER MOTION SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SUING SAME (Doppler motion sensor device and use the method for Doppler motion sensor device) ", the priority of No. 885 U.S. Patent applications, all applications are submitted to by identical therewith inventor, and the full content of all applications merges to herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to sensor device and, more specifically, relate to the sensor device that is used for sense fluid velocity.

Background technology

For medical reasons, need be to body intrinsic parameter monitoring a period of time of patient.The arrhythmia of heart is the variation that causes heart normal sequence of the electric pulse of pump blood between health.Because changing, unusual cardiac pulses may only occur contingently, so can need successive monitoring to detect arrhythmia.The healthcare givers utilizes the successive monitoring can the characterization heart and set up suitable therapeutic process.

A kind of prior art equipment of measuring the rhythm of the heart is " Reveal " monitor in Medtronic (Medtronic) (U.S., the Minnesota State, Minneapolis city).This equipment comprises the implantable cardiac monitor, is used for for example determining whether patient faint (fainting) be relevant with the cardiac rhythm problem.The Reveal monitor is continuously monitored the speed of heart and the length that the rhythm and pace of moving things reaches 14 months.After from the experience of fainting, waking up, the patient with reorder equipment be placed on the skin outside, above the Reveal monitor of implanting, and touch the button data be sent to recording equipment from monitor.Recording equipment is offered the doctor, thereby the doctor has determined whether to record unusual cardiac rhythm to the information analysis that is stored in the recording equipment.The use of recorder neither automatically neither be autonomous and so the needs patient is conscious or another person's intervention is sent to recording equipment with information from monitor.

The implantable monitoring equipment of another known type is the equipment of transponder types, wherein transponder is implanted among the patient also with the mode of hand-held electromagnetism reader with non-intrusion type it to be conducted interviews subsequently.The 5th, 833, the device examples of a back type has been described in No. 603 United States Patent (USP)s.

Summary of the invention

The sensor device that is used to obtain signal and calculates measurement result is disclosed herein.In one embodiment, sensor device comprises the pick off with one or more transducers, and transducer is used to send and receive acoustic energy and the acoustic energy that receives is converted to one or more signals.One side of sensor cover conductive pipe is positioned.Computing equipment is operated pick off and a plurality of signals is handled and obtains measured value.Pick off and computing equipment are enclosed in the shell.

The method that is used to obtain signal and calculates measurement result is also disclosed in this article.An embodiment of method may further comprise the steps: provide as disclosed sensor device in the above paragraph, send acoustic energy from one or more transducers, receive acoustic energy from one or more transducers and obtain one or more signals, one or more signals are handled obtaining measured value, and the parameter value that measured value analysis is obtained to represent fluid behaviour.

In another embodiment, provide and be used for blood vessel and flow through the equipment that at least one characteristic of the blood of blood vessel is carried out acoustic measurement.This equipment comprises shell, sensor cluster and the computing equipment with first side and second side.Sensor cluster is mounted to shell and comprises one or more transducers, and transducer is used to pass first side transmission acoustic energy of shell, receives the acoustic energy of first side of passing shell, and acoustic energy is converted to signal.Computing equipment is configured to one or more transducers be activated and signal is carried out decipher determine characteristic.Shell surrounds pick off and computing equipment.

In conjunction with the drawings with reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention, feature of the present invention and the mode that realizes them will become and understand more and the present invention self will better understand.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A is the schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment of sensor device;

Figure 1B is that the outer surface of the sensor device of Fig. 1 is schemed towards (outwardly-facing);

Fig. 1 C is the perspective view of the sensor device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are the schematic side view of sensor device and the blood vessel of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is the schematic top view of the exemplary embodiment of doppler sensor;

Fig. 5 is the notion vector representation of ripple and fluid flow orientation;

Fig. 6 A-6D is respectively according to the schematic elevational view of the doppler sensor of another exemplary embodiment, side view, top view and perspective view;

Fig. 7 is the schematic top view of another exemplary embodiment of doppler sensor;

Fig. 8 is the concept map that is applicable to the system that the signal of communication from the sensor device of Fig. 1 is sent and receives;

Fig. 9 is the flow chart that is used for illustrative methods that motion is measured;

Figure 10 is the sketch map of cardiac cycle;

Figure 11 is the fluidic concept map that flows through blood vessel;

Figure 12 is the curve chart of measuring during cardiac cycle;

Figure 13 is the concept map according to the doppler sensor of exemplary embodiment;

Run through several figure, the corresponding part that corresponding Reference numeral is represented.Though accompanying drawing is represented embodiments of the invention, for description and interpretation the present invention better, accompanying drawing is not must be proportional and can amplify some feature.Herein the example that is proposed with several formal specifications embodiments of the invention and such example will can not be interpreted as by any way scope of the present invention being limited.

The specific embodiment

That embodiment discussed below does not plan limit or the present invention is limited to disclosed precise forms in the following detailed description.More properly, embodiment is selected and description so that others skilled in the art can Application Example teaching.

Figure 1A shows the sensor device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.Sensor device 1 generally includes a plurality of parts, and parts comprise doppler sensor 60, computing equipment 20, communication equipment 30 and energy storage device 40, and each parts all is installed on the plate 80 and with computing equipment 20 and carries out electronic communication.Parts are enclosed in the shell 90.In one embodiment, energy storage device 40 is applicable to the electromagnetic energy wave 44 of reception from exterior source of energy 46.

In one embodiment, sensor device 1 is applied to determine patient's physiological situation." patient " is meant the human or animal that the sensed equipment of physiological situation 1 is measured.Though invention disclosed herein is to be described under medical ground, teaching disclosed herein can be applicable to need under other background that small-sized data acquisition component measures along with the time equally.For example, in the sensor cluster application in not having entry or that be difficult to arrive, under dangerous environment, have in the application of weight and size restrictions, enquiry-based activity is medium at the scene can be ideal.

In one embodiment, sensor device 1 is implanted in patient's body by subcutaneous.Yet, should be appreciated that, can use various implanted prosthetics that sensor device 1 is implanted in different positions.For example, can be implanted in sensor device 1 in the thoracic cavity, under the rib exterior feature (rib cage).Shell 90 can form with the shape of circular discs or oblong-shaped disc, and its size is roughly identical with two 25 cent coins that pile up.Certainly, depend on application, shell 90 can be configured to multiple other shape.Shell can comprise four outwards outstanding rings 92, and shown in Figure 1B and Fig. 1 C, thereby being used to accept to sew up in patient's body fixes assembly hypodermically.The shape that depends on shell 90 can be provided with more or less ring 92.When by so fixedly the time, doppler sensor 60 quilt covers are upcountry located, and the energy coupler of following detailed description towards outside.

In another embodiment of sensor device 1, other functional part (feature) of doppler sensor 60 and sensor device 1 is integrated with implantable cardiac equipment, and implantable cardiac equipment for example pacemaker, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) equipment, implanted heart rate changes multiple defibrillator (ICD) etc.In one embodiment, can by the parts of sensor device and heart equipment are made up realize integrated.If for example heart equipment comprises computing equipment, then the algorithm of manner of execution can be combined with the computing equipment of heart equipment rather than increase by second computing equipment.In a similar fashion, can avoid repetition (duplication) with energy accumulator and communication equipment are combined.In one embodiment, some parts of sensor device are comprised in the enclosure and some parts are attached to heart equipment.Parts in heart equipment and the shell are operably connected.

In another embodiment, sensor device 1 is positioned at the outside of patient body.Being provided with supporting member supports sensor device 1 in the health outside.Supporting member for good and all or provisionally can be coupled to sensor device 1.In one embodiment, supporting member comprises adhesive layer, is used for supporting member adhesively is coupled to patient body.In another embodiment, supporting member comprises it can being elastic belt, is used for respect to the fixing sensor device 1 of patient's body.

Can sensor device 1 be implanted hypodermically or be positioned on the patient by means of outside map (mapping) system of for example Ultrasound Instrument.Suitable placement guarantees that the blood vessel of paying close attention to is positioned at the sensing range of sensor device 1.At the blood vessel of paying close attention to is under the aortal situation, sensor device 1 can be positioned at patient's chest or certain position at back, this position make by the measurement that obtains in mode described herein, reduce to some extent by the caused interference of rib.

1. doppler sensor

Doppler sensor comprises one or more transducers, is used to object be insonated and receive the ultrasound wave that is reflected.By with the insonify ripple of ultrasonic energy with known angle guiding to fluid, fluidic speed is measured, is calculated then in the frequency displacement of the ultrasonic energy that is reflected, thereby can determine the fluidic speed paid close attention to.Doppler frequency shift is with to be parallel to insonify wave propagation velocity vector components proportional.Determine fluidic speed v in order to following equation:

v＝f _d·c/(2·f·cosθ)

Wherein c is the velocity of sound in the blood, and f is the insonify wave frequency, and θ is the angle between ripple and the velocity vector, and f _dIt is Doppler frequency shift.With reference to Fig. 9-Figure 12 the embodiment of the method for coming calculating blood pressure based on tachometric survey is carried out very detailed description hereinafter.

Transducer is that acoustic energy is converted to the signal of telecommunication and is the equipment of acoustic energy with electrical signal conversion.The operational approach that depends on one or more transducers, calculating frequency shift can in all sorts of ways.In a method of operation, doppler sensor can be the continuous wave pick off.The continuous wave Doppler pick off comprises and is used to send hyperacoustic transducer and is used to receive hyperacoustic transducer.Directly measure frequency displacement by comparing two ripples in the method.In another method, can use the impulse wave doppler sensor.The impulse wave doppler sensor has single transducer, is used to send ultrasound wave and is used to receive ultrasound wave.After sending ripple, doppler sensor switches to the reception operator scheme from the transmit operation pattern.By being compared, the phase shift between the ripple that receives subsequently measures frequency displacement.The a plurality of ripples that sent successively and receive are that the calculating phase shift is necessary.Phase shift between the pulse that can obtain to receive and the pulse of transmission with the known algorithm of for example jam (Kasai) algorithm or cross correlation algorithm.

Transducer can comprise coil, piezoelectric and other transducer that is fit to.Transducer can be focused on so that send the narrow ripple or the acoustic energy beam of acoustic energy.Transducer can also send the wide ripple of acoustic energy or the not focus wave of acoustic energy.The energy that two or more transducer group synthesizing linear arrays can be sent the enough ideal quantity of energy makes the sound wave that is subjected to acoustic wave action on a large scale.Be greatly that how is bigger than the scope of the acoustic wave action that can be subjected to single transducer.Linear array can be coupled together so that can be as driving of forming by single transducer them.Linear array can also be coupled together so that each transducer section is operated as transducer independently.

Fig. 2 illustrates blood vessel 3 that the blood 4 with the hemoglobin in the erythrocyte 5 is carried and the relation between the doppler sensor 60.Doppler sensor 60 has transducer 61, and transducer 61 positions towards the fluid of being carried by blood vessel 34.The ripple 62 that is sent by transducer 61 is shown as along being propagated by the centrage 63 indicated directions perpendicular to the surface of transducer 61.Arrow 6 indicates the direction of mobile fluid 4 in blood vessel 3.Though described doppler sensor 60 in this article the function of doppler sensor in sensing component 1 described, but other doppler sensor described herein carry out identical function and, usually, the doppler sensor of being quoted in the application and related application 60 is equally applicable to other doppler sensor described herein.

In one embodiment, for example the driving arrangement of pulse generator provides and the corresponding output of wanting to obtain of frequency.Output can be amplified by for example transistorized amplifier, integrated or be provided at the outside of computing equipment 20 with computing equipment 20.Output can comprise waveform.Computing equipment 20 can provide the frequency systematic function.In an alternative embodiment, provide the acoustic energy that converts electrical energy into the ultrasound wave form with corresponding voltage of wanting to obtain of supersonic frequency and transducer to transducer by driving arrangement.

In one embodiment, sensor device 1 has COM1, be used for linking to each other with miscellaneous equipment or with the miscellaneous equipment exchange message.Show adapter 85.Below with reference to Fig. 8 the operation of the adapter 85 of other parts of being connected to sensor device 1 is further done in further detail and to be described.

Fig. 3 illustrates the ultrasound wave 64 that is reflected.Ripple 64 is shown as along being propagated by centrage 63 indicated directions.Ripple 64 is propagated on the direction opposite with the direction of propagation of ripple 62.Ripple 64 also has the frequency different with the frequency of ripple 62.Determine difference by selection to transducer.In one embodiment, ripple 62 are continuous wave and ripples 64 with 62 same times of ripple be reflected.In another embodiment, ripple 62 is the impulse waves that sent by transducer A before echo 64 arrives transducer A.Computing equipment 20 can guide transducer A to send ripple 62 and ripple 64 is arrived the needed times of transmitter A and measure.Ripple is propagated by soft tissue with known constant speed.Can from the propagation time between the reception of the transmission of ripple 62 and ripple 64 calculate along centrage 63 from transducer A to blood vessel 3 distance.

Fig. 4 illustrates the doppler sensor 70 that comprises linear array transducer A, B and C.Doppler sensor 70 can couple with other parts of sensor device 1 or be integrated.Among transducer A, B and the C each operationally is connected with the driving arrangement (not shown), thus driving arrangement give each transducer be provided with power cause each transducer send can propagate certain distance to the fluid of paying close attention to and when the arrival fluid ultrasound wave of reflection phase shift ripple.Can come the source of the echo that received by doppler sensor 70 is distinguished with different frequency drives transducer A, B and among the C each.For convenience's sake, each transducer in the linear array is called as transducer section (segment) in this article.In the illustrated embodiment, each linear array transducer comprises five transducer sections.The transducer section can be operably connected to be activated respectively or side by side.Separately activating of one or more transducer sections is the ideal limiting power consumption that comes.Can activate simultaneously more than one transducer section and expand the influence that each sends ripple.Certainly, if activated all sections in the linear array, then linear array is operated as single transducer.Doppler sensor 70 can comprise three such transducers.

Transducer A, B and C are relative to each other arranged on certain angle ground.Among the embodiment shown in Figure 4, transducer B and C are arranged to respect to the angle of transducer A 45 degree and 90 degree relative to each other.Transducer can be arranged with respect to other transducer different angles ground.Position and angle are selected acoustic energy is oriented in the direction of acoustic energy being carried out optimum reflection from blood vessel.Select based on concrete analysis at least in part the patient.Can determine to patient's concrete analysis where sensor device 1 is positioned at, for example externally or implant ground, be positioned at front or back, and the distance from doppler sensor to the blood vessel of paying close attention to will be determined in the position of sensor device 1.In one embodiment, transducer B and C are arranged to respect to the angle of transducer A 30 degree and 120 degree relative to each other.

The transducer A section of comprising A1-A5, the transducer B section of comprising B1-B5, and the transducer C section of comprising C1-C5.Each section can send the ultrasonic energy of waveshape and receive.Locate to begin and the arrow that stretches out perpendicular to section is represented the wave line of propagation that sent by each section at each section.In addition,

arrow

72,74 and 76 is represented the total direction of the ripple that produced by transducer A, B and C respectively.Select the frequency of acoustic energy according to the distance between transducer and the target fluid.Usually at the excitation of the frequency place between 2-10MHz transducer by arriving the blood vessel of common pumping blood in the 3-20cm distance after patient's the soft tissue.In one embodiment, each among the excitation of the frequency place between 2-10MHz transducer A, B and the C.In another embodiment, one or more sections of transducer A are encouraged, at 4.5Mhz frequency place one or more sections of transducer B are encouraged, and one or more sections of transducer C are encouraged at 5.5Mhz frequency place at 5Mhz frequency place.Can measure echo at each section place of linear array transducer.Each section can sequentially be encouraged and can be energized repeatedly.In other embodiments, can use more than five sections or be less than five sections and form transducer unit.In one embodiment, use ten to 15 sections.

Doppler frequency shift or frequency displacement and to be parallel to the component of velocity vector of percussion wave proportional.Because Doppler frequency shift depends on the cosine of the angle θ between ripple and the velocity vector, and the scope of cosine function is between 0 to 1, so produce optimum signal by the signal that ripple produced with the velocity vector parallel orientation.In one embodiment, computing equipment 20 is only from angle θ=θ ₁The ripple that is less than or equal to 20 degree produces signal.Fig. 5 illustrates the relation between velocity vector 6 and the previous ripple that present, that have

direction

72,74 and 76 conceptually in Fig. 4.Fig. 5 also illustrates with respect to velocity vector 6 angle θ ₁Four arrows arranging.Arrow 74 is shown as with respect to velocity vector 6 formation and compares θ ₁Little angle.Therefore, be oriented in by the ripple on the represented direction of arrow 74, be to generate available signal in the case by the ripple that linear array transducer B is produced.Relatively, be oriented in by on arrow 72 and the 76 represented directions, will not produce available signal corresponding to the ripple of transducer A and C.

In one embodiment, sensor device 1 comprises and is configured to the optical sensor module that position and diameter to blood vessel detect.Sensor device 1 can determine which transducer will not produce available signal based on the position of blood vessel, and will only send ultrasound wave from the transducer that can produce available signal in order to save energy.

In order to increase the scope of doppler sensor, can be set to arrange by other transducer with different angles, so that can be with the one or more transducers of certain angle orientation, this angle produces and is oriented in the ripple that is less than or equal to the angle place of 20 degree with respect to velocity vector.In one embodiment, even three transducers are arranged to make the relative position of working as doppler sensor 70 and blood vessel 3 along with time or other factors with the shape of K, for example patient's level of activation and posture, and doppler sensor 70 also can obtain the signal of sufficient amount slight modification the time.The echo that is produced by a transducer can be received by the transducer more than.Yet, because ripple has and each sends the corresponding frequency of transducer, thus doppler sensor 70 can based on the relative position of corresponding transmission transducer and transmission frequency thereof optionally trap signal so that Doppler frequency shift can suitably be discerned.Frequency displacement is corresponding to speed and flow direction.

In one embodiment, when ripple impinged upon on the blood vessel except the blood vessel of paying close attention to, the signal of the ripple that section received of free linear array transducer A, B and C was filtered.Can the mode identical obtain the position of the blood vessel except the blood vessel of paying close attention to, below will make an explanation this mode with the mode that obtains station-keeping data.In another embodiment, computing equipment 20 at first is the definite angle θ of each section, has only the section that just optionally encourages transducer A, B and C when the angle θ of section can generate available signal, saves energy thus.In addition, if all sections of transducer can produce available signal, computing equipment 20 can limit the number of signals that produces and save energy.For example, produce available signal if all five sections are positioned, computing equipment 20 can select three signals to save five necessary energy of signal of generation of 40%.

When a plurality of transducers that will comprise coil were extremely closely located, each transducer can disturb the operation of other transducer.Can offset (neutralized) with suitable filter algorithm disturbs.Yet filtering by this way needs other memorizer and energy to come Processing Algorithm.Fig. 6 A-6D illustrates the doppler sensor 170 that is configured to make the minimum interference between the transducer.Doppler sensor 170 comprises the transducer 171,172 and 173 that has coil 176,177 and 178 respectively.Fig. 6 A, 6B, 6C and 6D are respectively front view, side view, top view and the perspective views of doppler sensor 171.Transducer 171,172 and 173 is configured to the material of counterchecking electromagnetic wave and uses the material that is configured to allow electromagnetic wave to pass that coil 176,177 and 178 is surrounded on the 4th face represented by symbol Y in usefulness on three sides represented by symbol X.Side Y is called as the electromagnetism window herein.Barrier material can be any suitable material that comprises metal, and non-barrier material can be any suitable material of plastics for example.Barrier material has physically been eliminated the interference between the coil 176,177 and 178, saves energy thus and makes sensor device 1 further miniaturization by reducing memory requirements.Transducer 171,172 and 173 be pile up rather than be placed on the common plane.For the computation requirement that produces is piled up in compensation, for example calculate and introduce third dimension degree to geometric distance, consume insignificant resource.In many cases, because the insignificant influence of piling up can be ignored fully with piling up influence.

Fig. 7 illustrates the doppler sensor according to another exemplary embodiment.Doppler sensor 270 comprises it can being the transducer 271-279 of single transducer or linear array transducer.Provide sensing range widely with transducer 271-279 with next also thereby not in calculating, the introducing under the situation of piling up variable of the shape localization of three K in the profile that does not increase sensor device 1 (profile).Can use more or less transducer to adapt to the shape of shell and the position that sensor device 1 is placed.In the illustrated embodiment, transducer 271,274 and 277 comprises the bottom of three K shape arrays.Transducer 271 and 277 is arranged with the angles of 30 degree and in

transducer

271 and 277 each is arranged with the angles of 45 degree with respect to remaining two lower limbs of each K type array with respect to transducer 274.

As discussed previously such, the calculating blood flow velocity need be known the incident angle θ between ripple and the blood vessel 3.Can obtain angle of incidence and other data that relative position of blood vessel 3 and doppler sensor is characterized in every way.In case obtain angle of incidence and other data, it can be stored in the memorizer as the reference value.In one embodiment, can station-keeping data be provided for computing equipment 20 by communication equipment 30 by external equipment.External equipment can wirelessly send the signal of communication that comprises station-keeping data to communication equipment 30.In another embodiment, can station-keeping data be provided for computing equipment 20 by communication equipment 30 by another implanted equipment.Other implanted equipment includes but not limited to that pacemaker, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) equipment, implanted heart rate change multiple defibrillator (ICD) etc.In yet another embodiment, can station-keeping data be provided for computing equipment 20 by another pick off or the sensor cluster that are included in the sensor device 1.The sensor cluster of the relative position that is used to detect blood vessel is provided in " optical pickocff application " cited above.In case determined selected signal, thereby computing equipment 20 calculates the blood flow velocity value by relatively sending wave frequency and receive wave frequency according to known frequency displacement and angle algorithm or form.

In another embodiment of sensor device 1, other functional part (feature) of doppler sensor and sensor device 1 is integrated with implantable cardiac equipment, and implantable cardiac equipment for example pacemaker, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) equipment, implanted heart rate changes multiple defibrillator (ICD) etc.

Thereby carry out blood flow velocity relatively occasionally and measure saving power (for example once a day or twice) though can programme to sensor device 1, but should be appreciated that, along with the improvement of battery technology, power save will no longer be a problem, can measure more continually.In addition, when sensor device 1 is not implanted (promptly being worn by the patient outside), can eliminate the needs of saving power thus and allow frequent even successive measurement by adapter 85 to sensor device 1 power supply.

2. computing equipment

Computing equipment 20 comprises a plurality of parts.Though parts described herein are individual components as them, can be with the single equipment of unit construction precedent such as special IC.Computing equipment 20 comprises processor, memorizer, one or more program, input equipment and outut device.Memorizer can include but not limited to RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), EEPROM (EEPROM), flash (flash memory) memorizer or other memory technology.Can be in integrated circuit with processor and memory construction.This integrated circuit can comprise one or more doppler sensors 60,70,170 and 270 and communication equipment 30.In addition, computing equipment 20 can comprise A/D converter and/or D/A converter on integrated circuit.Replacedly, A/D converter and/or D/A converter can be set respectively.

Program representation instructs the computer instruction of processor execution in response to the task of data.Program is present in the memorizer.The data that comprise reference data and measurement data also are present in the memorizer.Reference data can be stored among the ROM, it can be stored in perhaps among the RAM that make can be along with the time makes amendment in response to the outside input or in response to the characteristic of the measurement data of gathering along with the time.The agreement that measured value is responded can also be set.Agreement can be stored in the permanent memory or it can be stored in the volatile memory of RAM for example.

Computing equipment 20 by input equipment and outut device come to doppler sensor 60,70,170 and 270 and communication equipment 30 control.Computing equipment 20 can control the measurement result that obtains expectation with minimum energy to number, frequency, power stage and the transmission of the ripple of doppler sensor 60,70,170 and 270.

Fig. 8 discloses the system 300 that is used for sensor device 1 exchange message.System 300 comprises the sensor device 1 (shown in Figure 1A) that has adapter 85 alternatively.System 300 can also comprise computer 302, operationally be coupled to Docking station (the docking station) 304 and the phone 306 of computer 302 via cable 303.In one embodiment, system 300 wirelessly sends signal of communication and from sensor device 1 receiving communication signal wirelessly based on being come by the performed processing of computing equipment 20 to sensor device 1.

Adapter 85 is applicable to and is inserted in the Docking station 304.Sensor device 1 is illustrated butt joint (dock) on Docking station 304.During being docked, sensor device 1 can be to energy storage device 40 chargings.Docking station 304 is coupled to computer 302 alternatively to be upgraded program in the memorizer that is stored in computing equipment 20 and reference value on one's body or before in patient's body in that sensor device 1 is placed on the patient.In another embodiment, sensor device 2 can be positioned over the patient outside, thereby and adapter 85 operationally be coupled to energy source sensor device 2 is provided with power and prevents exhausting of energy storage device 40.

In embodiment of literary composition, can be by adapter 85 with other pick off and devices, coupled to sensor device 1.Other pick off and equipment can include but not limited to other sensor cluster 2, temperature sensor, pressure transducer and accelerometer.Other equipment can comprise or can not comprise computing equipment.Other equipment can also be combined in shell 90 with sensor device 1.Integrated sensor device is disclosed in relevant " integrated heart application " cited above.By being applicable to that other pick off and program equipment, that revised of operation downloads in the memorizer of computing equipment 20, the operation of sensor device 1 goes for other pick off and equipment are operated.Download can occur in when computing equipment 20 is docked at Docking station.Replacedly, new procedures wirelessly can be downloaded by computing equipment 40.

Fig. 9 is illustrated in the flow chart that is activated in the computing equipment 20 and is used to measure blood pressure parameter and carries out the functional programs that measured value is responded.At step 400 place, computing equipment 20 obtains the transducer signal of expression fluid velocity from doppler sensor.In one embodiment, transducer signal comprises voltage and frequency.Should be appreciated that rate signal comes from the ripple that is produced by reflective object.In the situation of blood flow velocity, to liking erythrocyte.Common sense be that erythrocytic speed in the blood has been represented blood flow velocity exactly.

Can limit the blood flow velocity at the particular point place in the cardiac cycle based on cardiac cycle data setting up procedure 400.Can also come setting up procedure 400 in response to the external command that is received by communication equipment 30 or owing to sensor device 1 detects unusual condition.Among A, B and the C in the transducer each is sequentially encouraged.In one embodiment, transducer A sends ripple, switches to receiving mode then.Doppler sensor 70 is with by the determined mode detection of reflected of the configuration of transducer A ripple.Activate transducer B and C in an identical manner successively.In another embodiment, each transducer comprises transmitting element and receiving element and thereby this transducer can be activated and send and receive acoustic energy simultaneously.Transducer label or excitation are unessential in proper order.Can utilize more or less transducer.Select the quantity and the orientation of transducer to come obtaining data with respect to blood vessel 3 certain angle places, this angle is that its intended purposes produces enough data.

At step 402 place, 20 pairs of signals of computing equipment are handled and are obtained measured value.Processing can relate to and removes the intrinsic signal noise, is digital form, calibration, the non-selected ripple of filtering with the signal from analog formal transformation or detection signal regulated converts them to measured value.In one embodiment, the measurement result that will obtain in a cardiac cycle is asked and is on average obtained average blood velocity.In another embodiment, high value measurement result that will obtain in a cardiac cycle and low value measurements are asked and are on average obtained average blood velocity.Can use electrocardiogram (ECG) to estimate when blood flows with maximum or minimum speed.After handling, measured value can be stored in the memorizer or can analyze and at first determine whether keep this value it.According to the teaching that is provided herein, repeating step 400 and 402 obtains enough measured values as required, thus the parameter of calculation expectation.Followingly describe in detail very much come the embodiment of the method for calculating blood pressure based on tachometric survey with reference to Figure 12.

For save energy, just it is desirable to only in the signal that will obtain to be fit to quite certainly, operate doppler sensor 70.In one embodiment, before being activated, doppler sensor 70 can use the low-power consumption pick off to come the blood vessel of paying close attention to is found out with respect to the angle of each transducer.In one embodiment, sensor device 1 has comprised infrared sensor package 2 described in detail in the application of " optical pickocff " cited above.2 pairs of sensor devices 1 of sensor cluster are positioned so that the ripple that sends from the transducer of doppler sensor is to be approximately equal to or to find out with the velocity vector of blood is crossing less than the angles of 20 degree.To not encouraged by the transducer of appropriate location.

At step 404 place, 20 pairs of measured values of computing equipment are analyzed.Analysis can comprise based on the calculating of the supplemental characteristic of measured value and/or diagnosis.Supplemental characteristic refers to for example value of calculation of fluid velocity, cardiac output, cardiac rhythm etc.Diagnosis refers to parameter value and reference value is compared the unusual condition that detects the patient.Reference value is the normal value or the desired value of the measurement parameter of particular patient.If detect unusual condition, computing equipment 20 can transmit alarm rather than transmit measured value (consuming unnecessary power) or wait for up to memorizer completely or just send measured value (patient being exposed to unnecessary danger at waiting time) when reaching predetermined transmission time when collecting measured value.

Can while execution in step 400,402 and 404.The apparatus and method that speed is calculated described above are useful when calculating blood and other fluidic speed.Speed calculation under the mobile situation of continuous fluid does not need further to calculate.But, be that desired coming more fully diagnosed unusual condition with flow behaviorization and based on flow behavior if fluid flow is the cycle rather than successive, other measurements and calculations.

Reference value can comprise desired value and acceptable excursion or restriction.Reference value can also comprise obtain from other pick off by communication equipment 30 or from miscellaneous equipment measured value that obtain, that include but not limited to relative position value.

The parameter value indication is unusual when parameter value exceeds reference target value or scope.In certain embodiments, parameter value can produce the statistic as moving average for example, and detects unusual when parameter statistic and reference statistical amount differ above anticipated number.If supplemental characteristic and desired value differ a predetermined level is exceeded, computing equipment 20 can tested to supplemental characteristic to starting before making diagnosis unusually new measuring period so.

A kind of unusual medical condition is a heart arrhythmias.Thereby computing equipment 20 can be configured to carry out the analysis of measured value is determined for example whether cardiac rhythm is the irregular arrhythmia that indicated.

Use the outside value that obtains or can other unusual medical condition be detected from the value of other pick off.The other pick off that can be included in the sensor device 1 is disclosed in the related application of " optical pickocff application " cited above, " integrated heart application " and " health status application ".

At step 406 place, if detect unusual condition, agreement according to the rules determines that situation is serious situation or dangerous situation especially, and then computing equipment 20 sends alarm.Alarm can be used for starting siren or warn the patient to adopt remedial measures.Remedial measure can be to stop or the minimizing physical exertion.Alarm can also provide global location (GPS) information to emergency service.With reference to Fig. 6,, it can also be presented on the computer 36 and/or send it to the caregiver via communication equipment 30 when the existence of the situation of noting abnormalities.Alarm can comprise text message or the code corresponding with situation.Computing equipment 20 can also start new measuring period and measure in response to the unusual condition that detects continuously.

At step 408 place, computing equipment 20 can start treatment.Sensor device 1 can receive external command by communication equipment 30 and carry out treatment in response to alarm.Alternatively, based on agreement, thereby also can use unusual condition to come to propose this treatment to being applicable to that the equipment that treatment is provided instructs.Treatment can comprise for example shocks by electricity or medicine is provided.

At step 410 place, parameter value or other information are passed to external equipment.Can be with above any step execution in step 410 side by side.Parameter value can be stored in the memorizer also with communication equipment 30 wireless transmissions.Signal of communication from communication equipment 30 can be activated under following situation periodically, situation comprises: the order that receives in response to unusual condition, in response to the outside, as long as long as memorizer uses and surpasses predetermined quantity or when determining that energy storage levels is low, set up that latter two situation prevents because memorizer overflows or energy loss and the loss of data that causes.Be also to be understood that sensor device 1 can also comprise communication equipment except communication equipment 30.For example, when communication equipment 30 is situations of cellular modem, sensor device 1 can also comprise standby Bluetooth communication equipment or radio frequency communication devices.Such stand-by equipment obviously can not send under the situation of information (for example owing to low, the bad network coverage of available horsepower etc.) after many times attempting at cellular modem may be ideal.Under these circumstances, computing equipment 20 can activate standby communication equipment and send information or alarm to interchangeable outside receiving equipment.

For example in case detected unusual condition with regard to execution in step 410 so that upgrade to the caregiver in real time basically.Step 410 is carried out at regular intervals, for example once a day, weekly, one month one inferior.Replacedly or except these transmission, thereby can programme by making communication equipment 30 send requested data or representing that the information of requested data comes being responded by communication equipment 30 received requests for data (for example from medical personnel) to computing equipment 20.

Signal of communication can be received by near the equipment the patient warns the patient that situation is arranged, and perhaps remotely (for example passes through network) by medical personnel, relative or other predetermined recipient and receives.

Blood flow velocity on the time point depend on this time point and patient cardiac cycle where locate corresponding.Cardiac cycle has electricity part and mobile part.The electricity part refers to the electric wave that causes cardiac muscle pump blood.This ripple passes health and can be with comprising that the probe with the electrode of Body contact measures it.Electrocardiogram is to measure the particularly good method of abnormal rhythm of cardiac rhythm.Yet electrocardiogram is not a reliable means of measuring the cardiac pumping ability.

Figure 10 illustrates the electrocardiogram curve chart 500 electrical activity, that show two cardiac cycles of heart.Typical electrocardiogram is by P ripple, QRS complex wave (complex) and T wave component.Equipotential line 502 is opened the P wavelength-division of T ripple and back.PR 504 is measured at interval to the starting point of QRS complex wave from the starting point of P ripple.Its common length is 120 milliseconds～200 milliseconds.About 60 milliseconds～100 milliseconds of QRS composite wavelength.The ST section couples together QRS complex wave and T ripple.Typical ST section approximately continues 80 milliseconds.In one embodiment, sensor device 1 comprises electrocardiography transducer and the algorithm that is used to detect T ripple, QRS complex wave and P ripple.

Can obtain cardiac cycle in every way.In one embodiment, can cardiac cycle be provided for computing equipment 20 by communication equipment 30 by external equipment.External equipment can wirelessly send the signal of communication that includes the cardiac cycle data to communication equipment 30.In another embodiment, can the cardiac cycle data be provided for computing equipment 20 by communication equipment 30 by another implanted equipment.Other implanted equipment includes but not limited to that pacemaker, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) equipment, implanted heart rate change multiple defibrillator (ICD) etc.

In one embodiment, can the cardiac cycle data be provided for computing equipment 20 by another pick off or the sensor cluster that are included in the sensor device 1.The sensor cluster that is used to detect cardiac cycle is provided in the application of " optical pickocff " cited above.In yet another embodiment, can the cardiac cycle data be provided for computing equipment 20 by electrocardiography transducer.In the relevant application of " integrated heart " cited above, provide the sensor cluster that comprises electrocardiography transducer.

Describe blood flow and blood flow is characterized the embodiment of the method for calculating blood pressure referring now to Figure 11-12.As previous the narration, blood flow velocity changes according to cardiac cycle with flowing.Can be used to characterize heart contraction blood pressure and diastole blood pressure with carrying out the ground tachometric survey in the short time in succession.The heart contraction arterial pressure is the surge pressure in the tremulous pulse, and it occurs near the starting point of cardiac cycle.The diastole arterial pressure is minimum pressure (quiescent phase (resting phase) at cardiac cycle is located).Can estimate that the time that systolic pressure and diastole are pressed estimates maximum blood flow velocity and minimum blood flow velocity.

In an embodiment of the method for calculating blood pressure, sensor device 1 obtains a plurality of velocity measurement being estimated as with the systolic pressure moment corresponding, and is being estimated as and diastole presses moment corresponding to obtain other a plurality of velocity measurement.Computing equipment 20 usefulness at the inner surface area (for example by determining) of the large artery trunks 3 that each measurement result calculated by the diameter measurement of 2 facilitations of optical sensor module and the time of the consumption between measuring and Bernoulli Jacob (Bernoulli) equation: the PT=PS+PD that uses at the simplification of incompressible fluid tachometric survey is converted to pressure measxurement, PT is a gross pressure in the Bernoulli equation, and PS is that static pressure and PD are any dynamic pressures in the stream (flow stream).

Referring now to Figure 11, in the moment=T1 place dynamic pressure PD1 and diameter d 1 corresponding to determined pressure from the tachometric survey of under maximum blood flow state, carrying out.At the moment=T2 place, PD2 is a T2 diameter constantly corresponding to determined pressure and d2 from the tachometric survey of carrying out under minimum blood flow state.In the situation of large artery trunks 3, at the static pressure under the maximum fluidity situation (PS1) (being depicted as the power arrow of the outer wall of outside sensing large artery trunks 3) directly corresponding to heart contraction blood pressure measurement and the static pressure under the minimal flow situation (PS2) directly corresponding to the diastole blood pressure measurement.These calculate the uniform velocity section on hypothesis laminar flow (laminar flow) and the blood vessel.Can be with obtaining the flow velocity sampling from aiming at the signal that angiocentric ripple obtains, and under these hypothesis, can use the flow velocity sampling, calculate average speed according to removing the speed time integral of dividing Doppler curve with the cycle of flowing.

Can derive heart contraction blood pressure measurement and diastole blood pressure measurement by the further calculating that the gross pressure (PT) of the blood of large artery trunks 3 is crossed in convection current.Because the gross pressure that is produced by cardiomotility changed along with the time, so PT changed according to the time.For example when blood was pumped to into blood vessel, it is high that the gross pressure of generation is wanted with respect to the pressure that exists when the valve that lead to blood vessel is closed.In one embodiment, derive gross pressure by calculating variation of pressure on time shaft from the minimal flow situation to the maximum fluidity situation.Such as described in this article, these pressure are derived and have been utilized diameter of the same period (and area) measurement result of blood vessel.This variation or acceleration together with aortic stroke volume and known elasticity, allow computing equipment 20 to determine gross pressure according to principle well known in the art.Thereby at moment T1, equation PT1=PS1+PD1 can find the solution PS1, and at moment T2, equation PT2=PS2+PD2 can find the solution PS2.As already pointed out such, PS1 and PS2 are respectively heart contraction blood pressure measurement and diastole blood pressure measurement.

Carry out the transmutability of accurately determining that challenge is measured blood vessel diameter of blood pressure.Along with passing through blood vessel pump blood, the flexible wall expansion or the contraction of blood vessel influence blood pressure measurement thus.This influence be that the variation according to blood vessel diameter takes place, to the result of the variation of the resistance of blood flow.An embodiment of the present disclosure considers this transmutability when using technology described herein and following method.

As described above, the static pressure on the inwall of blood pressure and in question blood vessel is directly related.Also as explained above, come calculating blood pressure (PS) with the gross pressure in the blood vessel (PT), gross pressure is the static pressure and the dynamic pressure sum (being PT=PS+PD) of blood flow.As described in this article, directly use doppler sensor 70 to measure dynamic pressure.More specifically, PD derives from blood flow (speed) measurement result of the standard relationship between use traffic and the pressure.

Static pressure partly depends on the diameter (diameter variation causes the variation of resistance, and the static pressure that the variable effect of resistance is measured) of blood vessel.As described in this article, under this background, use 2 pairs of blood vessel diameters of optical sensor module to measure.Directly calculate the area that cross section is the blood vessel of circle substantially by the diameter of measuring.Sensor device 1 of the present disclosure calculates the area of blood vessel at the increment place of the minimum amplitude (Min1, Min2, Min3) in patient's heart cycle and near the tight spacing the maximum amplitude (Max1, Max2, Max3).More specifically, as depicted in figure 12, the sampling by the amount measured with the rate calculations of per second 50 times sampling comes the generation time rate integrating.In each sampling place, this method is determined the area change (measuring diameter variation by using optical sensor module 2) of blood vessel 3 and is flow through the increase or the minimizing of speed of the blood 4 of blood vessel 3.Allow to determine the flow of blood separately at the independent area of sampling place of these tight spacings and the calculating of speed (embedding of sampling at the Min1 place there is shown ten sampling C1-C10) according to the relation of flow=area * speed.Should be appreciated that each crest of sampling shown in Figure 12 has carried out one group ten similar sampling C1-C10 with the trough place.For simply, only ten samplings of one group are depicted with the time shaft of expansion.

Diastole is measured corresponding with the time rate integrating of locating at the crest (Max1, Max2, Max3) and the trough (Min1, Min2, Min3) of the sampling shown in the curve chart of Figure 12 respectively with the heart contraction blood pressure measurement.In an embodiment of the present disclosure, carry out ten times at the crest place and sample (being separated by several milliseconds) and carry out ten times at the trough place and sample (being separated by several milliseconds).As depicted in figure 12, each in three pump blood cycles is in succession all carried out the sampling of these groups.Certainly, should be appreciated that, depend on that application can use more or less sampling.Then these samplings are asked on average (perhaps filter in some way and remove irrelevant sampling) to determine the flow of the sampling of each measurement.

According to known formula a=v ²/ r determine to measure in the sequence each sample the acceleration of the blood of next sampling separately, wherein v is the speed of blood 4, r is the radius (as mentioned above, from by deriving the performed measurement of optical sensor module 2) of blood vessel 3.Be converted to pressure (considering area change and velocity variations on the time shaft) according to principle degree of will speed up measurement result well known in the art then.This pressure result represents gross pressure (PT), and for each measures the actual instantaneous diameter (area) that sample has been considered blood vessel 3, thus the potential error by the flexible caused blood pressure of blood vessel 3 is compensated.With the PT and the PD that calculate for each sampling as mentioned above, by concerning that PS=PT-PD comes to determine PS for each sampling.The unit of the blood pressure measurement that obtains is every cubic millimeter of a gram, and according to the standard (1 holder=1.3595e-5Kg/mm for example of the unit can be converted into holder (Torr) that converts ^Λ2).On average obtain final PS by ten samplings at crest place being asked average and ten samplings at trough place being asked.This has produced three crest values and three trough values (each that is in three cardiac cycle samplings produces).For each cycle, (along with the past of time) has determined that deceleration from the crest to the trough and (along with the past of time) determined the acceleration from trough to subsequently crest.This has produced three accekerations and three deceleration value.Every triplet is asked final PT and the final PT of deceleration that on average produces acceleration.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is the Doppler measurement result's that uses in a calculating described above acquisition mode.More specifically, use current pick off 1 and the geometry of the measurement of the blood vessel 3 that just is being sampled, native system can be configured to refuse the uncorrelated part of the echo measured by doppler sensor 70.Such as described above, propagate in all directions by the ripple that the linear array transducer of doppler sensor 70 is launched, and reflected away by the many different structure in the propagation path.Should only speed will be used for by the measured that part of signal that blood flow reflected determining.As following with reference to Figure 13 described, pick off 1 can be isolated one or more transducer sections of the linear transducer arrays that receives this useful data.

Referring now to Figure 13, based on by in the related application of " optical pickocff " cited above the optical measurement carried out of the optical sensor module 2 fully described and learn distance H 1 and H2.More specifically, because the position at the center of the size of pick off 1 and doppler sensor 70 is known, pass the distance of the center of pick off 70 to every limit of blood vessel 3 so can calculate from Doppler with measurement result described herein, that provided by optical sensor module 2.In this example, part transducer 70B, that relevant velocity information is provided of doppler sensor 70 will be determined.The length of transducer 70B represented by label X1, and because it is the hardware component that is incorporated into the reality of pick off 1, so it is known.The geometrical relationship of use standard, the angle [alpha] that computing equipment 20 usefulness of pick off 1 are learnt based on the configuration of the K shape of

transducer

70A, 70B, 70C is calculated triangle H2, X1, the length C of C.Similarly, can determine angle beta.

Because H1 also is to use aforesaid optical sensor module 2 to measure, thus can also determine angle beta 1 and length B, thus produce triangle H1, X1, all measurement results of B.Such as described above, the angle of the measurement that a restriction of Doppler technology is a reflected signal should drop in flow direction+/-20 degree.Pick off 1 use this known features of Doppler technology will represent on the transducer 70B, will provide one or more snippets the imaginary point on border to project on the transducer 70B about the meaningful information of blood flow velocity.More specifically, by at triangle H1, X1, the limit B of B draw straight lines in following 20 degree angle places and calculate this straight line and the intersection point of transducer 70B and obtain an Xn.Similarly, by at triangle H2, X1, draw straight lines and calculate this straight line and the intersection point of transducer 70B and obtain an Xm at the angle places of following 20 degree of the limit C of C.Between some Xn and the Xm and one or more sections of the transducer 70B between some Xm and the Xl to coming autoblood 4, the zone of the transducer that the echo of the accurate expression of blood flow velocity receives being provided.Therefore, when being calculated, speed can not consider by detected other signal of other section of transducer 70B.

Should be appreciated that the blood vessel of measuring according to mode described above is because the pump blood of heart and/or patient's body activity but motion continuously.With regard to this point, carry out continually for the purpose of determining blood flow velocity the determining of one or more dependent segments of

transducer

70A, 70B, 70C, and in blood pressure described above calculates the time with each minimum obtain speed sampling.These data can be asked and on average produce velocity measurement more accurately.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to consider the mode of the curvature of blood vessel 3 in blood pressure measurement.Among ten sampling C1-C10 that describe for the crest place in Figure 12 each is measured the diameter of blood vessels 3 with optical sensor module 2, and with the one or more relevant section measurement flow of doppler sensor 70.Certainly, the time that is consumed between the sampling also is known.The associated reflections that given shape by optical sensor module described herein 2 detected blood vessels 3, computing equipment 20 can be determined Doppler signal still is that blood place from the sweep that flows through blood vessel 3 reflects away by the blood from the straight basically part that flows through blood vessel 3 partly.Under the sensed part of blood vessel 3 is straight situation basically, by relation: acceleration=(Δ flow)/(delta time) derived acceleration.Sensed part at blood vessel 3 is that Acceleration Formula is acceleration=v under the situation of bending ²/ r, wherein r is the radius of blood vessel 3, but is proofreaied and correct by formula w=(ΔΦ)/(delta time), wherein Φ is the curvature angle of blood vessel 3.The result of formula w=(ΔΦ)/(delta time) produces the percentage correction of Acceleration Formula.For example, if w=.3, the Acceleration Formula after proofreading and correct so is a==(v ²/ r) * 1.3.By acceleration calculation is carried out in each sampling depicted in figure 12, this equipment has been determined the variation of acceleration/deceleration and according to mode described above this has been identified for calculating gross pressure.

Should be appreciated that, refer to the blood pressure of determining in the large artery trunks 3, suppose pulmonary artery in the sensing range of monitoring equipment 1, then can carry out identical processing and determine blood pressure in the pulmonary artery though blood pressure described above calculates.As described in the application of " optical pickocff ", monitoring equipment 1 by measuring pulmonary artery and large artery trunks 3 oxygen saturation and determine that the blood which blood vessel carries higher oxygen saturation comes pulmonary artery and large artery trunks 3 are distinguished.The blood vessel that carries the blood of higher oxygen saturation must be a large artery trunks 3.In another embodiment of the present invention, monitoring equipment 1 changes the blood vessel (being pulmonary artery) that the blood vessel that will have lower oxygen saturation is identified as concern into.Determine Pulmonic position and size according to the mode identical then with reference large artery trunks 3 described modes.Along with Pulmonic geometry is defined, with reference to large artery trunks 3 is described the pressure that flows through Pulmonic blood is measured as above.

3. communication equipment

Once more, with reference to Fig. 8, system 300 is applicable to and sends and receiving communication signal.Communication equipment 30 is for example via the bi-directional communication device of mobile telephone system and/or gps satellite system.Communication equipment 30 comprises the antenna that is used to send with receiving communication signal.Signal of communication wirelessly in a plurality of optional external communication devices is propagated and a propagation from a plurality of optional external communication devices.

External communication device can be computer 302 or any electronic equipment that can the wireless receiving signal of communication, for example is exemplified as the phone 306 of mobile phone.Phone 306 can also be emergency service switchboard or hospital or medical centre switchboard.Signal of communication is meant the signal of the feature collection with one or more signals or is changed the information in the signal is carried out encoded signals.For instance, as restriction, signal of communication does not comprise sound, radio frequency (RF), infrared ray, other wireless medium, and above any combination.External communication device can also be to be positioned at the patient's body outside, for example to clip to the TU Trunk Unit of patient's belt.TU Trunk Unit can comprise the receptor that is used to receive from the transmission of communication equipment 30, and the transmitter that is used for transmitting to another external communication device signal of communication.TU Trunk Unit can also be fixed and be hard-wired, is used for being connected with the Internet or directly being connected with medical personnel's computer.Similarly, TU Trunk Unit can receive from medical personnel's signal of communication and with signal and send to communication equipment 30.

Signal of communication from communication equipment 30 can comprise voice message, text message and/or measurement data.The communication that is received by communication equipment 30 can comprise order or data, for example the reference data of Geng Xining.Order for example can comprise the instruction of giving computing equipment 20, for example is used for carrying out patient's treatment, collection and sends other data or upgrade the task of reference data.

4. energy storage device

Referring again to Figure 1A, 1B and 1C, can be provided for the system that energy storage device is recharged.The energy that computing equipment 20 receives from energy storage device 40.Energy storage device 40 comprises for example energy storage member of battery.Alternatively, sensor device 1 can also comprise that the energy that is used to receive from external source comes the energy coupler that energy storage device 40 is charged.

An example of energy coupler is an electromagnetic equipment, and for example sensing coil 42, is used to receive external electromagnetic signal 44 and is to be used for electric energy that energy storage member is recharged with such conversion of signals.External electromagnetic equipment 46 generates electromagnetic signals 44, by energy storage device 40 receiving electromagnetic signals 44 and be converted into electric energy.Energy storage device 40 can provide charge signal to computing equipment 20.Computing equipment 20 can compare charge signal and reference charge signal and start the low electric charge signal of communication that is used to warn patient and/or medical personnel.Replacedly, the detector of for example voltage sensor can be used for monitoring the electric charge of energy storage device 40 and signal is provided for computing equipment 20 following the time when electric charge is reduced to threshold value.Come energy storage device 40 is charged near electromagnetic equipment 46 can being placed on sensor device 1.

Can alternatively or additionally provide energy with the form of ultrasonic vibration.For example, can in sensor device 1, comprise piezoelectric transducer.Ultrasonic vibration can be arranged on the outside.Transducer generates when transducer is driven by ultrasonic vibration.

Though the present invention has been described as having exemplary designs, can in the spirit and scope of present disclosure, have revised further to the present invention.Therefore the application is intended to contain any variation, use or the adaptability revision that the present invention is carried out that uses universal principle of the present invention.In addition, the application be intended to contain fall in the technical field of the invention known or customary practice, with the departing from of present disclosure.

Claims (according to the modification of the 19th of treaty)

1. one kind is used to obtain signal and the sensor device that calculates measurement result, and described equipment comprises:

Pick off, comprise first transducer, described first transducer is used to send acoustic energy, receive acoustic energy and the described acoustic energy that will receive is converted to one or more signals, described first transducer comprises two transducer portion, described two transducer portion are at the blood vessel of different directions towards mammiferous pumping blood, make that in described two transducer portion at least one measures with the place that strikes the blood vessel of described pumping blood at described acoustic energy, carry out orientation with respect to the angles of about at most 20 degree of the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel of described pumping blood;

Computing equipment is operated described first transducer and is calculated blood parameters based on described one or more signals; And

Shell, surround described pick off and described computing equipment, that described shell has is that described acoustic energy passes, towards the wall of blood vessel, and described shell also comprises attached functional part, described attached functional part is configured to described shell and described blood vessel compartment of terrain are attached to described mammal.

2. sensor device according to claim 1 also comprises second transducer, and described second transducer carries out orientation with respect to described first transducer with the angle greater than zero.

3. sensor device according to claim 2, wherein said first transducer and described second transducer send acoustic energy by first window and second window respectively, and the interferential barrier material of acoustic energy that wherein said first window is reduced between described first transducer and described second transducer at least in part centers on.

4. sensor device according to claim 2, wherein said first transducer sends acoustic energy with described second transducer with different frequencies.

5. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said blood parameters comprises blood flow velocity.

6. sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said sensor device also comprises and is configured to optical pickocff that a plurality of optical signallings are sent and receive, wherein said computing equipment calculates the diameter of described blood vessel and described blood vessel and described distance between the wall of blood vessel based on described optical signalling, and wherein said computing equipment also comes calculating blood pressure based on described blood flow velocity, described diameter and described distance.

7. sensor device according to claim 1 also comprises the communication equipment that is used to send with receiving communication signal.

8. sensor device according to claim 7, wherein said signal of communication comprises distance.

9. sensor device according to claim 8, wherein said computing equipment also comes calculating blood pressure based on blood flow velocity and diameter.

10. sensor device according to claim 7, wherein said signal of communication comprises alarm.

11. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said computing equipment use described blood parameters situation to be diagnosed and carried out the function that described situation is responded.

12. sensor device according to claim 11, wherein said function comprise in following at least one: transmit alarm, start treatment, apply electric shock, medicine is provided and uses described communication equipment Data transmission continuously.

13. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor device comprises adapter, and described adapter is applicable to and operationally is coupled to one or more in Docking station, second sensor device and the energy source.

14. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said shell is configured to be used for subcutaneous implantation.

15. sensor device according to claim 1, the size of wherein said sensor device is approximately identical with two 25 cent coins that pile up.

16. sensor device according to claim 1 also comprises energy storage device and energy coupler, described energy coupler is used for received energy and comes described energy storage device is recharged.

17. a method that is used to obtain signal and sends data, described method comprises:

Sensor device is provided, and described sensor device comprises

With the isolated pick off of conduit, described pick off comprises one or more transducers, described transducer is used to send acoustic energy, receive acoustic energy, and the described acoustic energy that will receive is converted to one or more signals, described one or more energy converter planar is to a side of described conduit, in the described transducer at least one comprises two transducer portion, described two transducer portion are oriented in different directions, so that at least one in described two transducer portion measures with the place that strikes described conduit at described acoustic energy, carry out orientation with respect to the angle that the longitudinal axis about at most 20 of described conduit is spent;

Computing equipment is used for described one or more transducers are operated and described one or more signals are handled obtaining measured value, and

Shell surrounds described pick off and described computing equipment;

Send acoustic energy from described one or more transducers;

Receive acoustic energy from described one or more transducers and obtain one or more signals;

Described one or more signals are handled obtain measured value;

Described measured value analysis is obtained to represent the parameter value of fluidic characteristic.

18. method according to claim 17, wherein said fluid are blood and described parameter is in blood pressure and the blood flow velocity.

19. method according to claim 17 also comprises obtaining relative position value and storing described relative position value in the memorizer step.

20. comprising from communication equipment reception relative position value and with described relative position value, method according to claim 19, wherein said acquisition step store into the memorizer.

21. method according to claim 18, wherein said sensor device comprises optical pickocff, and wherein said acquisition step comprises from described optical pickocff and receives relative position information and described relative position information is converted to relative position value.

22. method according to claim 17 also comprises the step of with described parameter value situation being diagnosed and carried out the function that described diagnosis algorithm is responded.

23. method according to claim 28, wherein said function comprise in following at least one: transmit alarm, start treatment, apply electric shock, medicine is provided and uses described communication equipment Data transmission continuously.

24. method according to claim 17, wherein said receiving step comprise that from described one or more transducers at least some sequentially obtain described signal and come the calculating parameter value.

25. method according to claim 17, each in wherein said one or more transducers comprises the linear array of transducer section.

26. method according to claim 25 also comprises the step of selecting one or more transducer sections and preventing to be sent and received by non-selected transducer section acoustic energy.

27. comprising, method according to claim 26, wherein said selection step determine that acoustic energy is with respect to the angle of incidence of fluid flow direction and select the transducer section when described angle of incidence is less than or equal to 20 degree.

28. method according to claim 26, wherein said sensor device also comprises optical pickocff, and described selection step comprises with described optical pickocff and discerns wherein any transducer section and the selected expedite transducer section that the described acoustic energy that sent by described transducer section is hindered.

29. one kind is used for blood vessel and flows through the equipment that at least one characteristic of the blood of described blood vessel is carried out acoustic measurement, described equipment comprises:

Shell has first side and second side;

Sensor cluster, be mounted to described shell and comprise one or more transducers, described transducer is used to pass described first side transmission acoustic energy of described shell, the acoustic energy of described first side of described shell is passed in reception, and described acoustic energy is converted to signal, described one or more transducer comprises first transducer, described first transducer comprises two transducer portion, described two transducer portion in different directions towards described blood vessel so that at least one in described two transducer portion measures with the place that strikes described blood vessel at described acoustic energy, carry out orientation with respect to the angle that the longitudinal axis about at most 20 of described blood vessel is spent;

Computing equipment is configured to described one or more transducers be activated and described signal is carried out decipher determine described characteristic,

Wherein said shell surrounds described pick off and described computing equipment, and wherein said shell comprises attached functional part, and described attached functional part is configured to described shell and described blood vessel compartment of terrain are attached to described mammal.

30. equipment according to claim 29, wherein said sensor cluster comprise the acoustic energy barrier material and comprise the window that is used to send and receive acoustic energy.

31. equipment according to claim 29, wherein said shell are made by the acoustic energy barrier material and are comprised the window that is used to send and receive acoustic energy.

32. a system that is used to obtain signal and calculates measurement result comprises:

Implant patient's heart equipment;

With the isolated pick off of blood vessel, described pick off comprises one or more transducers, described transducer is used to send acoustic energy, receive acoustic energy, and the described acoustic energy that will receive is converted to one or more signals, described one or more energy converter planar is to a side of described blood vessel, in the described transducer at least one comprises two transducer portion, described two transducer portion are oriented in different directions, so that at least one in described two transducer portion measures with the place that strikes described blood vessel at described acoustic energy, carry out orientation with respect to the angle that the longitudinal axis about at most 20 of described blood vessel is spent;

The blood flow velocity value that obtains mobile blood in described blood vessel is operated and described one or more signals are handled to computing equipment, described computing equipment to described one or more transducers; And

Shell, described shell surround described pick off and described computing equipment.

33. system according to claim 32 also comprises communication equipment, described communication equipment is used for based on coming signal of communication is sent and receives from described one or more signals that described one or more transducer obtained.

34. system according to claim 32, wherein said heart equipment is enclosed among the described shell.

35. system according to claim 32, wherein said pick off and described computing equipment operationally are coupled to the described heart equipment of the outside that is positioned at described shell.

36. sensor device according to claim 32, wherein said transducer section is optionally activated sends and receives acoustic energy.

37. one kind is configured to sensor device that blood pressure is measured, comprises:

Doppler sensor, described doppler sensor have a plurality of transducers that are used for emission source ripple and detection of reflected ripple, and described doppler sensor has the reference position that is associated;

Optical pickocff, described optical pickocff comprises a plurality of emitters and is used to generate a plurality of detectors of a plurality of signals, the second distance between the wall far away of the distance of first between the nearly wall of described reference position of described signal indication and blood vessel and described reference position and described blood vessel;

Computing equipment, described computing equipment is configured to determine that in a plurality of calculation of pressure each described first distance and described second distance calculate the area of described blood vessel, and determine the section of transducer that the echo from the blood that flows through described blood vessel is detected, determine the speed of described blood thus, come calculating blood pressure with described speed and described area; And

Shell surrounds described doppler sensor, described optical pickocff and described computing equipment.

38. according to the described sensor device of claim 37, wherein by determine blood flow direction and from described a plurality of transducers, select to have drop on described blood flow direction+section that/-20 degree detect with the echo of interior ripple direction determines described section of described transducer that described echo is detected.

39. according to the described sensor device of claim 37, wherein said blood pressure is based on the maximum gauge and the minimum diameter of maximum blood flow velocity and minimum blood flow velocity and described blood vessel, wherein said maximum blood flow velocity and minimum blood flow velocity calculate respectively from pressing corresponding a plurality of blood flow velocity measurement results with systolic pressure and diastole, described systolic pressure and described diastole are pressed from being derived by described section detected described echo of described transducer, and the maximum gauge of described blood vessel and minimum diameter are based on pressing first range measurements and the second distance measurement result that moment corresponding obtained to be calculated with described systolic pressure and described diastole.

Claims

Pick off comprises one or more transducers, and described transducer is used to send acoustic energy, receive acoustic energy and the described acoustic energy that will receive is converted to one or more signals,

One side of described one or more energy converter planar conductive pipe;

Computing equipment is operated described one or more transducer and handles described one or more signal obtaining measured value; And

Shell surrounds described pick off and described computing equipment.

2. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said computing equipment comprise and are used for algorithm that the fluidic parameter value of being carried by conduit is calculated.

3. sensor device according to claim 2, wherein said parameter is a fluid velocity.

4. sensor device according to claim 3, wherein said fluid are that blood and described parameter value are blood flow velocities.

5. sensor device according to claim 1 also comprises the communication equipment that is used to send with receiving communication signal.

6. sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said signal of communication comprise the relative position value of the position of representing described conduit and at least one in the alarm.

7. sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said communication equipment comprises adapter, described adapter is applicable to and operationally is coupled to one or more in Docking station, second sensor device and the energy source.

8. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said shell is configured to be used for subcutaneous implantation.

9. sensor device according to claim 1, each in wherein said one or more transducers comprises the linear array of transducer section.

10. sensor device according to claim 9, wherein said transducer section is optionally activated sends and receives acoustic energy.

11. sensor device according to claim 1, at least one in wherein said one or more transducers with by the frequency of the described acoustic energy of another transmission in described one or more transducers different frequency send acoustic energy.

12. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said one or more transducers relative to each other position at a certain angle.

13. sensor device according to claim 1, the size of wherein said sensor device is approximately identical with two 25 cent coins that pile up.

14. sensor device according to claim 1 also comprises energy storage device.

15. sensor device according to claim 14, wherein said energy storage device comprises energy coupler, and described energy coupler is used for received energy and comes described energy storage device is recharged.

16. sensor device according to claim 1, wherein each described transducer comprises sonic energy source, described transducer has and is used to the window that allows described acoustic energy to pass through, and described sonic energy source be used to stop acoustic energy by and prevent that the interferential material between the adjacent transducer from partly centering on.

Sensor device is provided, and described sensor device comprises

One or more transducers, described transducer are used to send acoustic energy, receive acoustic energy and acoustic energy are converted to one or more signals, a side of described one or more energy converter planar conductive pipe;

Shell surrounds described pick off and described computing equipment;

Send acoustic energy from described one or more transducers;

Described one or more signals are handled obtain measured value;

Shell has first side and second side;

Sensor cluster, be mounted to described shell and comprise one or more transducers, described first side that described transducer is used to pass described shell sends acoustic energy, receives the acoustic energy of described first side of passing described shell and described acoustic energy is converted to signal;

Computing equipment is configured to described one or more transducers be activated and described signal is carried out decipher determine described characteristic.

Implant patient's heart equipment;

Pick off, described pick off comprises one or more transducers, described transducer is used to send acoustic energy, receives acoustic energy and the described acoustic energy that receives is converted to one or more signals, the vasotropic side of described one or more energy converter planars;

Computing equipment, described computing equipment is operated described one or more transducers and described one or more signals is handled the blood flow velocity value that obtains mobile blood in described blood vessel, and described blood vessel comprises in vein and the tremulous pulse; And

Optical pickocff, described optical pickocff comprises a plurality of emitters and is used to generate a plurality of detectors of a plurality of signals, the second distance between the wall far away of the distance of first between the nearly wall of described reference position of described signal indication and blood vessel and described reference position and described blood vessel; And

Computing equipment, described computing equipment is configured to: in a plurality of calculation of pressure each determines that described first distance and described second distance calculate the area of described blood vessel, and determine the section of transducer that the echo from the blood that flows through described blood vessel is detected, determine the speed of described blood thus, come calculating blood pressure with described speed and described area.

39. according to the described sensor device of claim 37, wherein said blood pressure is based on the maximum gauge and the minimum diameter of maximum blood wave velocity and minimum blood flow velocity and described blood vessel, wherein said maximum blood flow velocity and minimum blood flow velocity calculate respectively from pressing corresponding a plurality of blood flow velocity measurement results with systolic pressure and diastole, described systolic pressure and described diastole are pressed from being derived by described section detected described echo of described transducer, and the maximum gauge of described blood vessel and minimum diameter are based on pressing first range measurements and the second distance measurement result that moment corresponding obtained to be calculated with described systolic pressure and described diastole.