WO2009147615A1 - Détermination de contact avec un corps - Google Patents

Détermination de contact avec un corps Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009147615A1
WO2009147615A1 PCT/IB2009/052306 IB2009052306W WO2009147615A1 WO 2009147615 A1 WO2009147615 A1 WO 2009147615A1 IB 2009052306 W IB2009052306 W IB 2009052306W WO 2009147615 A1 WO2009147615 A1 WO 2009147615A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensor
signal
physical contact
quality
determining
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2009/052306
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark T. Johnson
Frans A. M. Meijden
Richard G. C. Van Der Wolf
Marieke Van Dooren
Maria E. Mena Benito
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Publication of WO2009147615A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009147615A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
    • A61B5/0531—Measuring skin impedance
    • A61B5/0533—Measuring galvanic skin response
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6843—Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2230/00—Measuring physical parameters of the user
    • A61H2230/65—Impedance, e.g. skin conductivity; capacitance, e.g. galvanic skin response [GSR]

Definitions

  • This invention relates to determining physical contact with a body, and more particularly, to determining a quality of physical contact of a sensor with a body.
  • Devices comprising one or more sensors for detecting physiological signals of a user are known.
  • a handheld vibrating massage device has been proposed which has one or more sensors to detect physiological signals of the user. Based on the detected physiological signals, the physiological state and/or the emotional state of the user may be determined and the vibration of the massage device may be controlled so as to better reflect the determined state of the user.
  • a quality for example, the contact pressure or contact area
  • a signal measured by the sensor(s) is accurate so as to enable correct determination of the actual state of the user.
  • the quality of the contact of the sensor(s) with the body may directly affect the accuracy of sensed data from the sensor(s).
  • a method for determining a quality of physical contact of a sensor with a body comprising the steps of: vibrating the sensor at a frequency of vibration; analysing a signal detected by the sensor and which is influenced by the sensor vibration; determining the quality of physical contact based on the analysed signal.
  • the signal detected by the sensor may be calibrated based on the determined quality of physical contact.
  • the method may further comprise using the vibration frequency of the sensor to calibrate the signal detected by the sensor.
  • the amplitude of the analysed signal may be used as an indication of the pressure of contact of the sensor with the body, or alternatively as a calibration tool to adjust absolute level of a signal from the sensor.
  • a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all of the steps of the method, when said program is run on computer.
  • said computer program embodied on a computer readable medium.
  • an apparatus for determining a quality of physical contact of a sensor with a body comprising: vibration means adapted to cause the sensor to vibrate at a frequency of vibration; a processor unit adapted to analyse a signal detected by the sensor, the signal being influenced by the sensor vibration, and to determine the quality of physical contact based on the analysed signal.
  • a device comprising: a sensor adapted to contact a body and to detect a physiological signal from the body; and apparatus for determining a quality of physical contact of the sensor with the body according to the invention.
  • said device is a hand-held massage device.
  • the sensing function of the sensor may be based upon an electrical contact with the body, for example the skin of a user, and may preferably be a skin conductivity sensor.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a vibrating device according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a graph showing detected conductivity against time obtained for the embodiment of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a graph showing detected conductivity against time obtained for the embodiment of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 shows another modification of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 6 is a graph showing detected conductivity against time obtained for the embodiment of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 shows yet another modification of the embodiment of Fig. 1
  • Fig. 8 is a graph showing detected conductivity against time obtained for the embodiment of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a device according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a quality of physical contact of a sensor with a body, thereby enabling determination of a level of reliability of signals provided by the sensor for example.
  • the determined quality of physical contact of the sensor with a body may also be used to calibrate the sensor, so as to take account for a factor such as contact pressure which may alter data readings obtained by the sensor.
  • the vibrating device 10 comprises first and second sensor electrodes 12 adapted to detect an electrical contact with a body 14 (for example, the skin of a user). More specifically, the sensor electrodes 12 are Galvanic Skin Resistance (GSR) sensors adapted to detect the electrical conductivity of the skin 14 of a person.
  • GSR Galvanic Skin Resistance
  • the device is positioned next to the skin 14 of a user with the sensor electrodes 12 oriented so that they face towards the skin 14.
  • the device 10 is then vibrated at a substantially fixed frequency so that is oscillated between a first and second position. So as to avoid confusion with mains frequency, for example 50Hz, the frequency of oscillation is greater than 50Hz, preferably greater than 150Hz, and even more preferably not equal to an integer multiple of 50Hz.
  • the first position is illustrated using solid lines.
  • the device 10 is spaced apart from the skin 14 so that the sensor electrodes 12 do not contact the skin 14.
  • the second position of the device 10 is illustrated using dashed lines.
  • the device 10 When in the second position, the device 10 touches the skin 14 so that the sensor electrodes 12 are in contact with the skin 14.
  • the detected electrical conductivity between the sensor electrodes 12 is zero.
  • the sensor electrodes 12 detect a non-zero value of electrical conductivity.
  • the vibration of the device 10 results in regular periods where the sensor electrodes contact the body, separated by periods when they do not touch the body and zero conductivity is detected.
  • Fig. 5 Pressing the device now further against the skin 14, the arrangement of Fig. 5 is obtained wherein the sensor electrodes 12 remain in contact with the skin 14 whilst the device 10 vibrates. It is observed that a plot of detected conductivity (G) against time, resembling that shown in Fig. 6, exhibits a periodic variation. Specifically, the detected conductivity increases as the vibration causes the electrodes to move towards the second position (in other words, when the contact pressure is increased), whereas the detected conductivity decreases when the vibration causes the electrodes 12 to move towards the first position (when the contact pressure is decreased).
  • the electrodes 12 of the device continue to be in better contact with the skin 14 of the body. Vibration of the device then results in progressively smaller periodic variations of the detected conductivity as the contact pressure increases. For example, referring to the Figs. 7 and 8, as the vibrating device 10 is pressed more firmly against the skin 14 of the body, the peak-to-peak amplitude of the periodic variations in the measured conductivity decreases. Thus, the measured conductivity tends towards a value that would otherwise be measured by a non- vibrating device. From the above description in relation to Figs. 1 to 8, it will be seen that the signal from the sensor electrodes 12 in the vibrating device 10 is modulated by the vibration of the device 10.
  • the modulation signal intensity varies strongly with the characteristics of the contact of the sensor 12 with the body 14. If the signal from the sensor electrodes 12 exhibits a strong modulation with the frequency of vibration of the device 10, this is indicative of the contact between the sensor electrodes 12 and the skin 14 of the body being poor. Such an indication may be used to determine that the vibrating device 10 is lightly touching the skin 14. Further, the strongly modulated signal from the sensor electrodes 12 may also be used to determine that readings from the sensor electrodes 12, used to determine the physiological state of a user for example, are not accurate since only a poor contact between the electrodes 12 and the skin 14 has been made.
  • the signal from the sensor electrodes 12 exhibits a weak modulation, this is indicative of the contact between the sensor electrodes 12 and the skin 14 of the body being good. Such an indication may be used to determine that the vibrating device is firmly pressed against the skin 14 of the body. Further, the weakly modulated signal from the sensor electrodes 12 may also be used to determine that readings from the sensor electrodes 12 are more reliable or accurate since only a good contact is present between the electrodes 12 and the skin 14. Whilst only two simple electrodes are depicted in Figs. 1 to 8, the electrodes may be configured in complicated shapes or patterns, such as interdigitated comb electrodes, or there may be a plurality of electrodes or electrode pairs distributed around the device.
  • an alternative embodiment comprises using the (known) vibration frequency of a device to calibrate the signals obtained by a sensor of the device.
  • a vibrating massage device 20 comprises a motor 22, a processor 24, memory means 25 and a GSR sensor 26.
  • the motor 22 comprise an off-set pivot for vibrating the device 20 when the motor is operated.
  • the motor 22 is operated and controlled by the processor 24, which is also adapted to receive detected signals from the GSR sensor 26 and to access data stored on the memory means 25.
  • the processor 24 comprises a calibration unit 24a adapted to calibrate signals from the GSR sensor 26 based on a determined quality of physical contact.
  • the processor 24 is adapted to process the signals received from the GSR sensor 26 so as to determine a quality of physical contact of the GSR sensor 26 with a body 28 and to calibrate the signals obtained by the GSR sensor 26 so as to account for the pressure by which the device is pressed against the body 28.
  • the form of the signal obtained by the sensor 26 when the device is vibrating, and in particular the amplitude of the modulation of the obtained signal can be used to determine if the sensor 26 is in contact with the body 28 and at what pressure the sensor is being pressed against the body 28. For example, it may be determined that the pressure lies within one of a plurality of pressure ranges, such as "just in contact, light touch, medium touch, high pressure contact".
  • the signals from the sensor 26 can be calibrated. For example, data regarding calibration offsets and/or constants are stored in the memory means 25 in the form of a look-up table.
  • the processor 24 uses a determined quality (for example, pressure) of the physical contact made between the sensor 26 and the body 28 in conjunction with calibration data stored in the memory means 25 for the determined quality so as to calibrate signals from the sensor 26.
  • the processor 24 is also adapted to determine the reliability of the signals from the sensor 26. When the processor 24 determines that the amplitude of the signal modulation is below a predetermined in value (for example, a percentage of the absolute signal, say ⁇ 5%), the processor determines that the recorded value is reliable. Preferably, the highest recorded value (i.e. the peak value) is used for the signal, since it can be assumed that the physical contact between sensor 26 and body 28 is most robust at this point.
  • a predetermined in value for example, a percentage of the absolute signal, say ⁇ 5%
  • a calibration process can be undertaken by comparing the obtained signal value when the device is vibrating with the GSR signal recorded when the device is not vibrating and in best possible contact with the body (i.e. where increasing the contact pressure no longer increases the GSR signal). From this comparison, correction factors can be determined to predict the actual GSR signal from the recorded trace.
  • the calibration data is preferably stored in the memory means 25 accessible by the processor 24.
  • embodiments have been described with reference to GSR sensor, the invention is also applicable to other physiological measurements using contact with a body. Measurements of heart rate, muscle tension measurement, etc. could be employed. Also, embodiments may determine the quality of physical contact based on the duty cycle of the signal.
  • the duty cycle may be defined by the amount of time the signal exceeds a threshold level in a single cycle if the signal, divided by the time taken for a single cycle of the signal. In other words, the duty cycle can be expressed as a percentage of time by which the signal exceeds a threshold level in a single cycle of a signal undergoing substantially periodic oscillations.
  • the threshold level may be chosen so as to be indicative of a no-contact situation between the sensor and the body, for example a zero level of conductivity in Figs. 2 and 4.
  • the invention has been described in terms of a vibrating device and a vibrating massage device, the invention is equally applicable to alternative embodiments which comprise imparting a vibration to a body contact sensor (like one used on exercise equipment, training bikes, wearable sensors on patches etc.) so as to determine a quality of physical contact between the sensor and a body, and to calibrate readings from such a sensor.
  • a body contact sensor like one used on exercise equipment, training bikes, wearable sensors on patches etc.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Dermatology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé et un appareil de détermination de la qualité d’un contact physique d’un détecteur (12) avec un corps. Le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à : faire vibrer le détecteur à une fréquence sensiblement constante ; analyser un signal détecté par le détecteur et influencé par les vibrations du détecteur ; déterminer la qualité du contact physique sur la base de la modulation déterminée du signal.
PCT/IB2009/052306 2008-06-06 2009-06-02 Détermination de contact avec un corps WO2009147615A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08157716 2008-06-06
EP08157716.5 2008-06-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009147615A1 true WO2009147615A1 (fr) 2009-12-10

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ID=41057584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2009/052306 WO2009147615A1 (fr) 2008-06-06 2009-06-02 Détermination de contact avec un corps

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009147615A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2493850A (en) * 2011-08-17 2013-02-20 Cercacor Lab Inc Modulated physiological sensor
US20150126896A1 (en) * 2013-11-06 2015-05-07 Raed H. AlHazme Human body thermal measurement device, a method for measuring human body temperature, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
WO2016094014A1 (fr) * 2014-12-11 2016-06-16 Intel Corporation Technologies de surveillance de contact d'électrode par rétroaction biologique
WO2017165084A1 (fr) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Qualcomm Incorporated Suivi de la qualité du contact avec des capteurs de mesure de signes vitaux
WO2023038983A1 (fr) * 2021-09-07 2023-03-16 Whoop, Inc. Surveillance de l'ajustement de dispositifs pouvant être portés

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6183426B1 (en) * 1997-05-15 2001-02-06 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Ultrasonic wave applying apparatus
GB2378762A (en) * 2001-06-09 2003-02-19 Inner Tek Ltd Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor with skin contact pressure sensor
WO2004047636A1 (fr) * 2002-11-27 2004-06-10 Z-Tech (Canada) Inc. Appareil de determination d'adequation du contact d'electrodes avec la peau et qualite des electrodes destinees a des mesures bioelectriques
EP1629816A1 (fr) * 2004-08-30 2006-03-01 Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. Appareil de massage

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6183426B1 (en) * 1997-05-15 2001-02-06 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Ultrasonic wave applying apparatus
GB2378762A (en) * 2001-06-09 2003-02-19 Inner Tek Ltd Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor with skin contact pressure sensor
WO2004047636A1 (fr) * 2002-11-27 2004-06-10 Z-Tech (Canada) Inc. Appareil de determination d'adequation du contact d'electrodes avec la peau et qualite des electrodes destinees a des mesures bioelectriques
EP1629816A1 (fr) * 2004-08-30 2006-03-01 Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. Appareil de massage

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2493850A (en) * 2011-08-17 2013-02-20 Cercacor Lab Inc Modulated physiological sensor
GB2493850B (en) * 2011-08-17 2015-09-09 Cercacor Lab Inc Modulated physiological sensor
US9782077B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2017-10-10 Masimo Corporation Modulated physiological sensor
US10952614B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2021-03-23 Masimo Corporation Modulated physiological sensor
US20210378517A1 (en) * 2011-08-17 2021-12-09 Masimo Corporation Modulated physiological sensor
US11877824B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2024-01-23 Masimo Corporation Modulated physiological sensor
US20150126896A1 (en) * 2013-11-06 2015-05-07 Raed H. AlHazme Human body thermal measurement device, a method for measuring human body temperature, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
WO2016094014A1 (fr) * 2014-12-11 2016-06-16 Intel Corporation Technologies de surveillance de contact d'électrode par rétroaction biologique
JP2018504160A (ja) * 2014-12-11 2018-02-15 インテル コーポレイション バイオフィードバック電極接触監視の技術
WO2017165084A1 (fr) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Qualcomm Incorporated Suivi de la qualité du contact avec des capteurs de mesure de signes vitaux
US10085639B2 (en) 2016-03-24 2018-10-02 Qualcomm Incorporated Tracking contact quality to vital signs measurement sensors
WO2023038983A1 (fr) * 2021-09-07 2023-03-16 Whoop, Inc. Surveillance de l'ajustement de dispositifs pouvant être portés

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