Pulse sensor, system, and method for using a pulse sensor

A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying computer executable instructions configured to cause a portable device to execute a method comprising the steps of:

• measuring a physical periodic motion of a peripheral artery with a pulse sensor, each measured physical periodic motion including a modulation and a pulse rate;
• receiving the modulation and pulse rate with a microcontroller and saving the modulation and pulse rate to a buffer memory as a modulation history and pulse rate history;
• determining, with the microcontroller, a modulation, estimated instantaneous blood flow rate and pulse rate limit from the modulation and pulse rate history;
• writing the modulation, blood flow rate and pulse rate limit to a non-transitory computer readable medium;
• comparing, with the microcontroller, one or more measured instances of the modulation, blood flow rate and corresponding pulse rate to the modulation, blood flow rate and pulse rate limit;
• and
• outputting a prompt from the microcontroller via a user interface to the person if the one or more measured instances of the modulation, blood flow rate and pulse rate falls outside the modulation, blood flow rate and pulse rate limit.

A method, comprising:

• generating, with a pulse sensor positioned adjacent to a peripheral artery of a person, pulse sensor signals indicative of movement of the peripheral artery;
• calculating, with a digital processor, a pulse rate and a modulation of the peripheral artery based on the pulse sensor signals;
• comparing, with the digital processor, the pulse rate and the modulation to reference pulse rates and reference modulations;
• determining, with the digital processor, a state of hydration of the person based on the comparison of the pulse rate and modulation to the reference pulse rates and reference modulations;
• and
• outputting an alert to the user if the state of hydration corresponds to the person being dehydrated.