Ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting with wireless sensors
AssigneeNellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
InventorsEdward M. McKenna, Daniel Lisogurski
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Abstract
A system and method for generating power via harvesting of ambient electromagnetic signals. The system may include one or more sensing components which, acting alone or in combination, are capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters. The system may also include wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more sensing components or the wireless communication circuitry may be at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by energy generated via harvested electromagnetic signals.
Claims20
A physiological sensor, comprising:
- a power generating structure capable of generating power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals;
- a sensing component capable of generating data related to one or more physiological parameters;
- and
- wireless communication circuitry capable of wirelessly transmitting the data related to the one or more physiological parameters, wherein at least one of the sensing component or the wireless communication circuitry are at least partially powered, directly or indirectly, by the power generating structures.
A power module for a physiological sensor, comprising:
- a power generating structure capable of generating power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals;
- and
- a connector capable of releasably connecting to a physiological sensor, wherein the connector is capable of transmitting power generated by the power generating structure to the physiological sensor when connected.
A method for powering a wireless sensor, comprising the acts of
- generating power using a power generating structure in response to ambient electromagnetic signals;
- and
- providing the power to the sensor.
A monitoring system, comprising:
- a wireless sensor, comprising:
- a light generating component;
- a light detecting component capable of detecting light generated by the light generating component;
- a wireless transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting a signal based on the light detected by the light detecting component;
- and
- a power generating component that generates power in response to ambient electromagnetic signals, wherein the generated power is provided to one or more of the light generating component, the light detecting component, or the wireless transmitter;
- and
- a monitor capable of receiving the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.