# US 11,298,064 B1 · Head-mounted physiological signal monitoring system, devices and methods

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- Number: US 11,298,064 B1
- Document ID: US11298064B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 14/571,856
- Filed: 2014-12-16
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-18
- Assignees: Orbital Research Inc.
- Applicants: Frederick J. Lisy; Anthony Opperman; David D. Dashevsky
- Inventors: Frederick J. Lisy; Anthony Opperman; David D. Dashevsky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298064B1

## CPC

- A61B 5/6803: {Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles}
- A41D 1/002: {adapted to accommodate electronic equipment (patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085)}
- A41D 20/00: Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
- A42B 1/041: Peakless soft head coverings, e.g. turbans or berets (A42B1/045, A42B1/046 take precedence)
- A42B 1/12: Bathing caps
- A42B 1/242: Means for mounting detecting, signalling or lighting devices
- A42B 3/0453: {Signalling devices, e.g. auxiliary brake or indicator lights}
- A61B 5/0006: {ECG or EEG signals}
- 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 5/02416: {using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation (A61B5/14552 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/036: {by means introduced into body tracts (A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/0533: Measuring galvanic skin response
- A61B 5/14551: {for measuring blood gases}
- A61B 5/16: Devices for psychotechnics (using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00); Testing reaction times {; Devices for evaluating the psychological state}
- A61B 5/165: {Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety}
- A61B 5/18: for vehicle drivers {or machine operators}
- A61B 5/28: for electrocardiography [ECG]
- A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
- A61B 5/297: for electrooculography [EOG]: for electroretinography [ERG]
- A61B 5/308: for electrocardiography [ECG]
- A61B 5/33: specially adapted for cooperation with other devices
- A61B 5/332: Portable devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B 5/343: Potential distribution indication
- A61B 5/4803: {Speech analysis specially adapted for diagnostic purposes}
- A61B 5/4866: {Evaluating metabolism (using breath test A61B5/083)}
- A61B 5/6814: {Head}
- A61B 5/6817: {Ear canal}
- A61B 5/7203: {for noise prevention, reduction or removal}
- A61B 5/7405: {using sound}
- A61B 5/741: {using synthesised speech}
- A61B 5/7455: {characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation}
- A61B 5/746: {Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms}
- A61B 5/747: {in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services}
- A61B 7/00: Instruments for auscultation
- A42B 3/0433: {Detecting, signalling or lighting devices}
- A61B 3/113: for determining or recording eye movement
- A61B 5/0066: {Optical coherence imaging}
- A61B 5/0073: {by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections (A61B5/0066 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/02405: {Determining heart rate variability}
- A61B 5/0245: by using sensing means generating electric signals, {i.e. ECG signals}
- 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 5/1112: {Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS}
- A61B 5/14542: {for measuring blood gases (A61B5/14551 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/282: Holders for multiple electrodes (for introduction into the body A61B5/287)
- A61B 5/4812: {Detecting sleep stages or cycles}
- A61B 5/6806: {Gloves}
- A61B 5/681: {Wristwatch-type devices}
- A61B 5/74: {Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient; User input means}
- A61B 5/742: {using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339)}
- A61B 5/7445: {Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units}
- A61B 2503/10: Athletes
- A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply
- A61B 2560/0219: of externally powered implanted units
- A61B 2560/0242: adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
- A61B 2560/0247: for compensation or correction of the measured physiological value
- A61B 2560/0468: Built-in electrodes
- A61B 2562/0204: Acoustic sensors
- A61B 2562/0209: Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
- A61B 2562/0214: Capacitive electrodes
- A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
- A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors
- A61B 2562/125: characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)

## Abstract

Eyewear apparatus includes dry electrophysiological electrodes and, optionally, other physiological and/or environmental sensors to measure signals such as EOG and ECG from the head of a subject. Methods of use of such apparatus to provide fitness, health, or other measured or derived, estimated, or predicted metrics are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of collecting electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of a subject having skin comprising steps of:
placing on the subject's head an eyewear apparatus adapted for acquiring physiological signals comprising eyeglasses frames having temple stems and having a plurality of dry electrodes along the stems, the dry electrodes each comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising a single connector and the lower surface comprising a plurality of protruding surface features having an aspect ratio of less than 1.5 and being adapted to in part increase surface area of each electrode contacting the subject's skin for acquiring physiological signals from the subject with a single electrical pathway from the lower surface and its plurality of surface features to the connector, the eyewear apparatus further comprising at least one electronic component;
measuring electrophysiological signals using the dry electrodes to obtain ECG signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete a defined physical task or activity during which the measurement is performed;
amplifying and filtering the electrophysiological signals with the at least one electronic component to produce ECG signals;
determining a preparedness of the subject to perform the defined physical task or activity by comparing a second set of measured electrophysiological signals and preparedness data to stored electrophysiological signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the physical task or activity or such data for other subjects; and
storing the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or the preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component for collection or processing, or transmitting the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component to an additional electronic component for storage, collection or processing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an advanced assisted heart rate program based at least in part on measuring the subject's resting heart rate, lactate threshold heart rate, and maximum heart rate to measure or estimate the subject's heart rate response to the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein electronic components of the eyewear apparatus are powered by a rechargeable battery and the method further includes the step of recharging the battery using energy harvesting photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and/or biomechanical or kinetic elements.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of determining and providing a training regimen directed to improving the subject's preparedness for the defined task or activity by improving the measured preparedness data of the subject.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the eyewear apparatus further comprises at least one haptic actuator adapted to provide tactile feedback to the subject based on physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of calculating a metabolic rate and/or calories burned during a physical activity for the subject based at least in part on personal information about the subject and at least in part on the ECG signals obtained and produced by the eyewear apparatus and/or the preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the eyewear apparatus further comprises a heads-up display (HUD) adapted to display data and messages to the subject corresponding to physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics.

### Claim 8

A method of collecting electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of a subject having skin comprising steps of:
placing on the subject's head an eyewear apparatus adapted for acquiring physiological signals comprising eyeglasses frames having temple stems and having a plurality of dry electrodes along the stems, the dry electrodes each comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising a single connector and the lower surface comprising a plurality of protruding surface features having an aspect ratio of less than 1.5 and being adapted to in part increase surface area of each electrode contacting the subject's skin for acquiring physiological signals from the subject with a single electrical pathway from the lower surface and its plurality of surface features to the connector, the eyewear apparatus further comprising at least one electronic component and a heads-up display (HUD) adapted to display data and messages to the subject corresponding to physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics;
measuring electrophysiological signals using the dry electrodes to obtain ECG signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete a defined physical task or activity during which the measurement is performed;
amplifying and filtering the electrophysiological signals with the at least one electronic component to produce ECG signals;
determining a preparedness of the subject to perform the defined physical task or activity by comparing a second set of measured electrophysiological signals and preparedness data to stored electrophysiological signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the physical task or activity or such data for other subjects; and
storing the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or the preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component for collection or processing, or transmitting the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component to an additional electronic component for storage, collection or processing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing an advanced assisted heart rate program based at least in part on measuring the subject's resting heart rate, lactate threshold heart rate, and maximum heart rate to measure or estimate the subject's heart rate response to the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein electronic components of the eyewear apparatus are powered by a rechargeable battery and the method further includes the step of recharging the battery using energy harvesting photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and/or biomechanical or kinetic elements.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of calculating a metabolic rate and/or calories burned during a physical activity for the subject based at least in part on personal information about the subject and at least in part on the ECG signals obtained and produced by the eyewear apparatus and/or the preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of determining and providing a training regimen directed to improving the subject's preparedness for the defined task or activity by improving the measured preparedness data of the subject.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the eyewear apparatus further comprises at least one haptic actuator adapted to provide tactile feedback to the subject based on physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics.

### Claim 14

A method of collecting electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of a subject having skin comprising steps of:
placing on the subject's head an eyewear apparatus adapted for acquiring physiological signals comprising eyeglasses frames having temple stems and having a plurality of at least four dry electrodes along the stems, the dry electrodes each comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising a single connector and the lower surface comprising a plurality of protruding surface features having an aspect ratio of less than 1.5 and being adapted to in part increase surface area of each electrode contacting the subject's skin for acquiring physiological signals from the subject with a single electrical pathway from the lower surface and its plurality of surface features to the connector, the eyewear apparatus further comprising at least one electronic component and at least one haptic actuator adapted to provide tactile feedback to the subject physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics;
measuring electrophysiological signals using the dry electrodes to obtain ECG signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete a defined physical task or activity during which the measurement is performed;
amplifying and filtering the electrophysiological signals with the at least one electronic component to produce ECG signals;
determining a preparedness of the subject to perform the defined physical task or activity by comparing a second set of measured electrophysiological signals and preparedness data to stored electrophysiological signals and preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the physical task or activity or such data for other subjects; and
storing the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or the preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component for collection or processing, or transmitting the ECG signals, preparedness data, and/or the preparedness determination with the at least one electronic component to an additional electronic component for storage, collection or processing.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the eyewear apparatus further comprises a heads-up display (HUD) adapted to display data and messages to the subject corresponding to physiological signals from the dry electrodes, data related to the physiological signals from the dry electrodes, and/or measured, calculated, or derived metrics.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising a step of calculating a metabolic rate and/or calories burned during a physical activity for the subject based at least in part on personal information about the subject and at least in part on the ECG signals obtained and produced by the eyewear apparatus and/or the preparedness data related to the subject's physical ability to complete the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing an advanced assisted heart rate program based at least in part on measuring the subject's resting heart rate, lactate threshold heart rate, and maximum heart rate to measure or estimate the subject's heart rate response to the defined physical task or activity.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein electronic components of the eyewear apparatus are powered by a rechargeable battery and the method further includes the step of recharging the battery using energy harvesting photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and/or biomechanical or kinetic elements.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising a step of determining and providing a training regimen directed to improving the subject's preparedness for the defined task or activity by improving the measured preparedness data of the subject.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein symptom or subject experience data is provided and the method further comprises a step of devising or proposing at least one test or experiment for the subject to undertake during which one or more variables are measured and a diagnostic determination is made for a cause of a the provided symptom or a condition related to the symptom or subject experience data of the subject based on the one or more measured variables.