Infection risk detection using ear-wearable sensor devices
Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices and systems that can detect a risk of infection in a device wearer. In a first aspect, an ear-wearable infection sensor device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a sensor package, and an electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-wearable infection sensor device can be configured to analyze data from the sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer and evaluate the physiological parameters to detect the risk of an infection. Other embodiments are also included herein.
1. An ear-wearable infection sensor device comprising:
a control circuit;
a microphone, wherein the microphone is in electrical communication with the control circuit;
a sensor package, wherein the sensor package is in electrical communication with the control circuit; and
an electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit;
wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to;
analyze data from the sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer, the physiological parameters comprising a temperature;
evaluate a duration of a temperature elevation; and
evaluate the physiological parameters to detect a risk of an infection.
2. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , the physiological parameters comprising at least one of a respiration rate, a heart rate, and SpO2.
3. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , the sensor package comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured for placement within the ear canal.
4. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , the sensor package comprising:
a pressure sensor; and
a motion sensor;
wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to detect orthostatic hypotension using data from the pressure sensor and the motion sensor.
5. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to compare the physiological parameters reflecting the device wearer in a resting state versus the device wearer in a non-resting state.
6. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to evaluate breathing sounds.
7. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 6 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to evaluate left-side versus right-side breathing sounds.
8. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 6 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to identify a cough.
9. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 8 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to distinguish between a wet cough and a dry cough.
10. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to generate a sound and record received reflected sound.
11. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , the sensor package comprising an optical color sensor, wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to evaluate a real-time skin color compared with a baseline skin color for the device wearer.
12. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to classify a set of data from at least one of the sensor package and the microphone into a category from amongst a set of categories.
13. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 12 , wherein the category reflects a probability of an infection.
14. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to instruct the device wearer to look at an accessory device with a camera if a risk of infection is detected.
15. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to change a threshold for detecting the risk of an infection based on data regarding previous infections experienced by the device wearer.
16. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to change a threshold for detecting the risk of an infection based on data regarding previous surgical procedures experienced by the device wearer.
17. An ear-wearable infection sensor system comprising:
a first ear-wearable device, the first ear-wearable device comprising:
a first control circuit;
a first microphone,
wherein a microphone is in electrical communication with a control circuit;
a first electroacoustic transducer, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit; and
a first sensor package, wherein a sensor package is in electrical communication with the control circuit;
a second ear-wearable device, the second ear-wearable device comprising:
a second control circuit;
a second microphone, wherein the second microphone is in electrical communication with the second control circuit;
a second electroacoustic transducer, wherein the second electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the second control circuit; and
a second sensor package, wherein the second sensor package is in electrical communication with the second control circuit;
wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor system is configured to:
analyze data from the first and/or second sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer; and
evaluate the physiological parameters along with data regarding an activity level of the device wearer to detect a risk of an infection.
18. The ear-wearable infection sensor system of claim 17 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor system is configured to:
detect a level of physical activity of the device wearer;
if the detected level physical activity is at or below a threshold level, enter an active operation mode wherein the system detects the risk of infection;
if the detected level physical activity is above a threshold level, enter a suspended operation mode wherein the system does not detect the risk of infection.
19. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-wearable infection sensor device is configured to:
evaluate circadian variations in temperature of the device wearer;
determine a circadian corrected baseline temperature of the device wearer;
detect the risk of infection by comparing an instantaneous temperature of the device wearer to the circadian corrected baseline temperature of the device wearer.
20. The ear-wearable infection sensor device of claim 1 , further comprising a geolocation circuit configured to assess location-specific infection risks.