Combined wearable electrocardiogram and electronic stethoscope
A wearable patch system includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having electrodes configured to contact a subject. An electronic stethoscope has a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject. The ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope are co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position. A housing is configured to support the diaphragm structure and the electrodes. The housing includes a mechanical interface configured to mount on the subject. A communications circuit is disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.
1. A wearable patch system, comprising:
an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having a plurality of electrodes configured to contact a subject;
an electronic stethoscope having a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject, the ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope being co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position;
a housing configured to support the diaphragm structure and the plurality of electrodes formed on the diaphragm structure, the housing including a mechanical interface on a rim of the housing configured to mount on the subject; and
a communications circuit disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.
2. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are separated from one another and covered by the diaphragm structure when mounted on the subject.
3. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm structure includes a conductive surface that faces a second conductive surface to form a capacitive component.
4. The patch system s recited in claim 1 , further comprising a pulse oximeter mounted on the housing and having a light source and a light sensor.
5. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a motion sensing device configured to measure motion of the subject.
6. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the subject.
7. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communications circuit includes a protocol for communicating with a local hub device to report data measured by the patch.
8. The patch system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface includes a replaceable adhesive.
9. A wearable patch system, comprising:
an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having a plurality of electrodes configured to contact a subject;
an electronic stethoscope having a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject, the ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope being co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position;
a housing configured to support the diaphragm structure and the plurality of electrodes formed on the diaphragm structure, the housing including a mechanical interface on a rim of the housing configured to mount on the subject;
electronic circuitry disposed on or in the housing and including:
a transceiver to conduct communications with a local hub device;
a processor coupled to the transceiver to receive commands and in response to the commands make measurements of the subject; and
memory coupled to the processor to store the measurements for transmission by the transceiver to the local hub.
10. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are separated from one another and covered by the diaphragm structure when mounted on the subject.
11. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the diaphragm structure includes a conductive surface that faces a second conductive surface to form a capacitive component.
12. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a pulse oximeter mounted on the housing and having a light source and a light sensor.
13. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a motion sensing device configured to measure motion of the subject.
14. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the subject.
15. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the communications circuit includes a protocol for communicating with a local hub device to report data measured by the patch.
16. The patch system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the local hub device communicates with a network computer to compute cardiovascular parameters based on a plurality of measurements taken from the subject.
17. The patch system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the mechanical interface includes a replaceable adhesive.
18. A wearable patch system, comprising:
an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having a plurality of electrodes configured to contact a subject,
an electronic stethoscope having a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject, the ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope being co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position, wherein the diaphragm structure includes:
a flexible diaphragm having a conductive coating forming a first conductive plate; and
a second conductive plate disposed apart from the first conductive plate such that movement of the flexible dielectric diaphragm responsive to motion of the subject alters a capacitance between the first and second conductive plates;
a housing configured to support the diaphragm structure and the plurality of electrodes formed on the diaphragm structure, the housing including a mechanical interface on a rim of the housing configured to mount on the subject; and
a communications circuit disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.
19. The patch system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second conductive plates are separated by spacers to prevent shorts.
20. The patch system as recited in claim 18 , further comprising one or more of a pulse oximeter, a motion sensing device and/or a temperature sensor.