TODAY’S PATENT – BODY-WORN PULSE OXIMETER

Body-worn pulse oximeter is invented jointly by Jim Moon, Devin McCombie, Marshal Dhillon and Matthew Banet. The application for patent was filed by Sotera Wireless Inc on 1^st October 2018 and the same was granted with the Patent no. US11134857B2 on 05-10-2021, it was also published on the same day. The invention described is a body-worn monitor for continuously measuring pulse oximetry and other vital signs, as well as motion, posture, and activity level in ambulatory patients.

The system includes an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient’s thumb, allowing the fingers to be free for regular activities. The probe measures time-dependent waveforms corresponding to red and infrared light emissions. The data is transmitted through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver with a processing unit. The transceiver has a wireless system for sending information to a remote receiver.

To obtain clinically accurate pulse oximetry measurements from the base of the thumb, coefficients relating to SpO2 are determined through empirical experiments. The system also features three motion-detecting sensors placed on the patient’s torso, upper arm, and lower arm, providing information on motion, posture, and activity level.

The device enables continuous monitoring of patients in both hospital and home settings and includes a technique called “Composite Technique” for simultaneous SpO2 and continuous non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP) measurements. The invention allows accurate vital sign monitoring, alarm suppression based on patient posture and activity, and improves patient comfort and mobility.