# US 11,026,588 B2 · Methods and apparatus for detecting motion noise and for removing motion noise from physiological signals

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- Number: US 11,026,588 B2
- Document ID: US11026588B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/117,929
- Filed: 2018-08-30
- Published: 2019-01-10
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2009-02-25
- Assignees: Valencell, Inc.
- Applicants: Valencell, Inc.
- Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf; Jesse Berkley Tucker; Michael Edward Aumer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026588B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/0205: Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
- A61B 5/00: Measuring for diagnostic purposes (radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00); Identification of persons
- A61B 5/0013: {Medical image data (A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/002: {Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61B 5/0024: {for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network}
- A61B 5/0059: {using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence (photoacoustic A61B5/0093; optical measurement of heart rate A61B5/02416; optical measurement of blood flow A61B5/0261; optical measurement of analytes A61B5/1455)}
- A61B 5/0082: {adapted for particular medical purposes}
- A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/01: Measuring temperature of body parts {; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue} (clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20)
- A61B 5/02055: {Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature}
- A61B 5/021: Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels
- A61B 5/02427: {Details of sensor}
- A61B 5/02433: {for infrared radiation}
- A61B 5/0261: {using optical means, e.g. infrared light}
- A61B 5/0816: {Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency (measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00)}
- A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)}
- A61B 5/1107: {Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ or muscle}
- A61B 5/1118: {Determining activity level}
- A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement}
- A61B 5/1455: using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
- A61B 5/14551: {for measuring blood gases}
- A61B 5/165: {Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety}
- A61B 5/418: {lymph vessels, ducts or nodes}
- A61B 5/4812: {Detecting sleep stages or cycles}
- A61B 5/4845: {Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products (A61B5/4848 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/4848: {Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication}
- A61B 5/486: {Biofeedback (using electroencephalography [EEG] A61B5/375)}
- A61B 5/4866: {Evaluating metabolism (using breath test A61B5/083)}
- A61B 5/4875: {Hydration status, fluid retention of the body}
- A61B 5/4884: {inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing}
- A61B 5/6803: {Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles}
- A61B 5/6815: {Ear}
- A61B 5/6816: {Ear lobe}
- A61B 5/6817: {Ear canal}
- A61B 5/6819: {Nose}
- A61B 5/6826: {Finger}
- A61B 5/6838: {Clamps or clips}
- A61B 5/721: {using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured}
- A61B 5/7214: {using signal cancellation, e.g. based on input of two identical physiological sensors spaced apart, or based on two signals derived from the same sensor, for different optical wavelengths}
- A61B 5/7221: {Determining signal validity, reliability or quality (preventing, reducing or removing noise induced by motion artefacts A61B5/7207; noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus A61B5/7217)}
- A61B 5/725: {using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters (specific diagnostics methods using using bioelectric or biomagnetic signals A61B5/316)}
- A61B 5/7278: {Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesizing signals from measured signals}
- A61B 5/7282: {Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition (cough events A61B5/0823; seizures A61B5/4094; sleep apnoea A61B5/4818)}
- A61B 5/742: {using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339)}
- A61B 5/7475: {User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick}
- G02B 6/0001: {specially adapted for lighting devices or systems (lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00)}
- G16H 20/30: relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
- G16H 30/40: for processing medical images, e.g. editing
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
- H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles}
- H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)}
- H04R 1/1091: {Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083}
- A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate
- A61B 5/02405: {Determining heart rate variability}
- A61B 5/02416: {using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation (A61B5/14552 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/026: Measuring blood flow {(A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/0295: using plethysmography, i.e. measuring the variations in the volume of a body part as modified by the circulation of blood therethrough, e.g. impedance plethysmography
- A61B 5/091: Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
- A61B 5/411: {Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance}
- A61B 5/415: {the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus}
- A61B 5/7207: {of noise induced by motion artifacts}
- A61B 2560/0242: adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
- A61B 2560/0425: Ergonomically shaped housings (A61B2560/0418 takes precedence)
- A61B 2560/0443: Modular apparatus
- A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
- A61B 2562/0233: Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
- Y02A 90/10: Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

## Abstract

A monitoring apparatus includes a housing that is configured to be attached to a body of a subject. The housing includes a sensor region that is configured to contact a selected area of the body of the subject when the housing is attached to the body of the subject. The sensor region is contoured to matingly engage the selected body area. The apparatus includes at least one physiological sensor that is associated with the sensor region and that detects and/or measures physiological information from the subject and/or at least one environmental sensor associated with the sensor region that is configured to detect and/or measure environmental information. The sensor region contour stabilizes the physiological and/or environmental sensor(s) relative to the selected body area such that subject motion does not impact detection and/or measurement efforts of the sensor(s).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of at least partially removing motion artifacts from physiological signals produced by a physiological sensor of a wearable device, wherein the physiological sensor includes at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector, the method comprising:
detecting light emitted by the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by a body of a subject wearing the wearable device and producing a physiological information signal therefrom via the at least one optical detector;
detecting light emitted by the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by a light regulating region of the wearable device as a result of movement of the wearable device and producing a motion noise information signal via the at least one optical detector, wherein the light regulating region is configured to block light at one or more selected wavelengths from reaching the body of the subject; and
processing the physiological information signal and the motion noise information signal via at least one processor associated with the wearable device to at least partially remove unwanted motion artifacts from the physiological information signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the light scattered by the body of the subject and the light scattered by the light regulating region of the wearable device travel through separate first and second regions of the wearable device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the first region of the wearable device is configured to guide light between the sensor and the body of the subject.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the light regulating region of the wearable device comprises one of a flap, lever, or membrane that moves in response to subject motion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the light regulating region of the wearable device moves in response to subject motion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the light regulating region of the wearable device comprises an optically reflecting material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the physiological information signal and the motion noise information signal comprises subtracting the motion noise information signal from the physiological information signal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of detecting light emitted by the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by the body of the subject and detecting light emitted by the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by the light regulating region of the wearable device are performed substantially simultaneously.

### Claim 9

A motion noise sensor configured to be attached to a body of a subject, the motion noise sensor comprising:
at least one optical emitter;
at least one optical detector; and
a light regulating region configured to block light from the at least one optical emitter at one or more selected wavelengths from reaching the body of the subject, wherein the light regulating region is configured to move in response to subject motion;
wherein the at least one optical detector is configured to detect light scattered by the light regulating region.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The motion noise sensor of claim 9, wherein the light regulating region comprises one of a flap, lever, or membrane that moves in response to subject motion.

### Claim 11

A wearable apparatus, comprising:
a physiological sensor comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector; and
a light regulating region configured to block light from the at least one optical emitter at one or more selected wavelengths from reaching the body of the subject,
wherein the at least one optical detector is configured to detect light from the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by a body of a subject wearing the wearable apparatus and to produce a physiological information signal therefrom, and
wherein the at least one optical detector is configured to detect light from the at least one optical emitter that is scattered by the light regulating region as a result of movement of the wearable apparatus and to produce a motion noise information signal therefrom.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one optical detector comprises at least two optical detectors.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one processor configured to process the physiological information signal and the motion noise information signal to at least partially remove unwanted motion artifacts from the physiological information signal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the light regulating region is configured to move in response to subject motion.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the light regulating region comprises one of a flap, lever, or membrane that moves in response to subject motion.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wearable apparatus is an earbud configured to be positioned within an ear of the subject.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wearable apparatus is a headset configured to be attached at or near an ear of the subject.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wearable apparatus is configured to be attached to a limb, a nose, an earlobe, and/or a digit of the subject.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The wearable apparatus of claim 11, wherein the light scattered by the body of the subject and the light scattered by the light regulating region travel through separate first and second regions of the wearable device.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The wearable apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first region of the wearable device is configured to guide light between the sensor and the body of the subject.