Systems for radio wave based health monitoring that generate alignment signals
A device for monitoring a health parameter of a person includes a semiconductor substrate, and an antenna array including at least one transmit antenna connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit radio waves below the skin surface of a person and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits configured to generate signals that correspond to an alignment of the antenna array relative to a vein in the person in response to the received radio waves, and means for determining an alignment of the antenna array relative to a vein in the person in response to the generated signals, and means for outputting a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment of the antenna array relative to the vein.
1. A device for monitoring a health parameter of a person, the device comprising:
a semiconductor substrate; and
an antenna array including at least one transmit antenna connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit radio waves below the skin surface of a person and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves;
wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits configured to generate signals that correspond to an alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person in response to the received radio waves; and
means for determining an alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person in response to the generated signals; and
means for outputting a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment of the antenna array relative to the blood vessel.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the means for outputting a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment comprises a visual indication device configured to output a visual indicator of alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the visual indication device comprises a light emitting diode.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the visual indication device comprises a display device upon which the visual indicator is displayed.
5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the visual indicator is a graphical representation of a blood vessel relative to a displayed alignment feature.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the means for outputting a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment comprises a speaker configured to output an audible indicator of alignment.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the means for outputting a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment comprises a tactile indicator device configured to generate a tactile indicator of alignment.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a smartwatch.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a smartphone.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a removable case for a smartphone.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a ring.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a strap with the antenna array embedded in the strap.
13. A device comprising:
a semiconductor substrate;
an antenna array including at least one transmit antenna connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit radio waves below the skin surface of a person and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves;
wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits configured to generate signals that correspond to an alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person in response to the received radio waves; and
at least one processor configured to determine an alignment of the antenna array relative to the blood vessel in the person in response to the generated signals; and
a display device for outputting a visual indicator of alignment between the antenna array and a blood vessel of the person in response to the determination.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the device is a smartwatch.
15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the device is a smartphone.
16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the device is a case for a smartphone.
17. The device of claim 13 , wherein the device is a ring.
18. A device for monitoring a health parameter of a person, the device comprising:
a semiconductor substrate; and
an antenna array including at least one transmit antenna connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit radio waves below the skin surface of a person and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves;
wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits configured to generate signals that correspond to an alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person in response to the received radio waves; and
at least one processor configured to determine an alignment of the antenna array relative to a blood vessel in the person in response to the generated signals and to output a signal that is indicative of the determined alignment of the antenna array relative to the blood vessel.