PHYSIOLOGICAL SENSOR PATCH FOR MAKING COMPLEX MEASUREMENTS OF BIOIMPEDANCE
The invention provides a system for characterizing a patient including a substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrical system. The electrical system is connected to the substrate and worn entirely on the patient's body. The electrical system in electrical contact with both the first and second electrodes and configured to inject an alternating electrical current through the first electrode and into the region of tissue. The electrical system is configured to measure a first electrical signal from the region of tissue through the second electrode. The electrical system is configured to measure a second electrical signal from the region of tissue. The first electrical signal or a signal determined therefrom indicates a resistance of the region of tissue and the second electrical signal or a signal determined therefrom indicates a reactance of the region of tissue.
1 : A system for characterizing a patient, comprising:
a substrate configured to be worn on a region of tissue of the patient;
a first electrode and a second electrode disposed along an annular ring, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are connected to the substrate and configured to be attached to the patient above the region of tissue;
an optical sensor including a light source and a photodetector; and
an electrical system connected to the substrate and configured to be worn entirely on the patient's body, the electrical system in electrical contact with both the first and second electrodes and the optical sensor and configured to:
(1) inject an alternating electrical current through the first electrode and into the region of tissue,
(2) measure a first electrical signal from the region of tissue through the second electrode, wherein the first electrical signal indicates a resistance of the region of tissue,
(3) measure a second electrical signal from the region of tissue through the second electrode, wherein the second electrical signal indicates a reactance of the region of tissue, and
(4) determine swelling beneath a surface of the region of tissue based on the resistance and the reactance of the region of tissue and a signal from the optical sensor.
2 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the region of tissue is a chest of the patient.
3 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the resistance and the reactance are used to determine a bioimpedance measurement.
4 : The system of claim 3 , wherein the bioimpedance measurement is a complex bioimpedance measurement that includes a real component and an imaginary component.
5 : The system of claim 4 , wherein the real component is associated with the resistance and the imaginary component is associated with the reactance.
6 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor is configured to determine at least one of redness and mottling of the region of tissue.
7 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source includes an array of light sources each configured to emit radiation at a different wavelength.
8 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a white light source configured to emit a collection of wavelengths throughout visible, infrared, and ultraviolet spectra.
9 : The system of claim 1 , wherein the annular ring includes a notch configured to align with a corresponding alignment marking on the patient.
10 .: A system for characterizing a patient, comprising:
a substrate configured to be worn on a region of tissue of the patient;
a first electrode and a second electrode disposed along an annular ring, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are connected to the substrate and configured to be attached to the patient above the region of tissue;
an optical sensor including a light source and a photodetector; and
an electrical system connected to the substrate and configured to be worn entirely on the patient's body, the electrical system in electrical contact with both the first and second electrodes and configured to:
(1) inject an alternating electrical current at a plurality of different frequencies through the first electrode and into the region of tissue, and
(2) measure a set of electrical signals from the region of tissue through the second electrode, with each electrical signal in the set measured after injecting the alternating electrical current at a unique frequency into the region of tissue; and
a processor in communication with the electrical system configured to receive the set of electrical signals, receive a signal from the optical sensor, process the set of electrical signals and the signal from the optical sensor, and determine swelling beneath a surface of the region of tissue.
11 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the region of tissue is a chest of the patient.
12 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the property is a bioimpedance measurement.
13 : The system of claim 12 , wherein a resistance and a reactance are used to determine the bioimpedance measurement.
14 : The system of claim 13 , wherein the bioimpedance measurement is a complex bioimpedance measurement that includes a real component and an imaginary component.
15 : The system of claim 14 , wherein the real component is associated with the resistance and the imaginary component is associated with the reactance.
16 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the optical sensor is configured to determine at least one of redness and mottling of the region of tissue.
17 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the light source includes an array of light sources each configured to emit radiation at a different wavelength.
18 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the light source includes a white light configured to emit a collection of wavelengths throughout visible, infrared, and ultraviolet spectra.
19 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the annular ring includes a notch configured to align with a corresponding alignment marking on the patient.
20 : The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a photograph of the region of tissue before the substrate is applied to the region of tissue and combine an evaluation of a degree of swelling based on the photograph with the set of electrical signals and the signal from the optical sensor.