Abstract
The invention relates to a device for measuring physiological parameters insertable into an external auditory canal of a human and to a method for measuring physiological parameters in an external auditory canal of a human.
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. Device (1) for measuring physiological parameters which is insertable into an external auditory canal of a human, comprising a hose line (20) for insertion into the external auditory canal of a human and a housing (21) connected to the hose line (20), into which at least a sensor device for measuring a physiological parameter is integrated, the hose line (20) having a section (4) at a distal end (3) facing the eardrum when worn, the section (4) having at least one wing element (5) with at least one first sensor component (51), preferably a photodiode and/or an LED, for measuring physiological parameters, wherein the wing element (5) has a restoring force, so that, when the device is worn, the at least one first sensor component (51) can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing element (5).
14. Device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the wing element (5) comprises at least one second sensor component (52), preferably a photodiode and/or an LED, so that, when the device is worn, the at least one second sensor component (52) can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force the wing element (5).
15. Device (1) according to claim 13, additionally comprising at least one third sensor component (41) at the distal end (3) of the section (4), wherein, when the device is worn, the at least one third sensor component (41) can be stably positioned in the external auditory canal.
16. Device (1) according to claim 13, additionally comprising an elastic umbrella (6) for positioning in the external auditory canal, wherein the elastic umbrella (6) is detachably connected to the section (4).
17. The device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the elastic umbrella (6) comprises a recess (61) adapted in size and shape to receive the section (4) therein, thereby connecting the elastic umbrella (6) with the section (4) in a detachable manner.
18. Device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the elastic umbrella (6) comprises one or more holes (62a), so that, when the device is worn, the at least one first and optionally the at least one second sensor component (51, 52) can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal through the one or more holes (62a).
19. Device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the elastic umbrella (6) has one or more depressions (62b) with a residual material with a low material thickness, so that, when the device is worn, the at least one first and optionally the at least one second sensor component (51, 52) can be brought into measuring connection to an inner wall of the external auditory canal via the residual material of the one or more depressions (62b).
20. Device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the residual material of the one or more depressions (62b) is translucent and the at least one first and optionally the at least one second sensor component (51, 52) is at least one light sensor.
21. Device (1) according to claim 13, comprising at least two wing elements (5).
22. Device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the at least one wing element (5) essentially consists of an elastic material.
23. Device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the at least one wing element (5) essentially consists of an inelastic material and comprises at least one spring element, for example a spiral spring, for providing a restoring force.
24. Method for measuring physiological parameters in an external auditory canal of a human, comprising the following steps: a) providing a device (1) for measuring physiological parameters, which is insertable into an external auditory canal of a human, comprising a hose line (20) for insertion into the external auditory canal of a human and a housing (21) connected to the hose line (20), into which at least a sensor device for measuring a physiological parameter is integrated, the hose line (20) having a section (4) at a distal end (3) facing the eardrum when worn, the section (4) having at least one wing element (5) with at least one first sensor component (51), preferably a photodiode and/or an LED, for measuring physiological parameters, wherein the wing element (5) has a restoring force, so that, when the device is worn, the at least one first sensor component (51) can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing element (5); b) moving the at least one wing element (5) of the section (4) against its restoring force and optionally releasably connecting the section (4) to the elastic umbrella (6); c) introducing the device (1) into the external auditory canal of a human, bringing the at least one first sensor component (51) into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing element (5); and d) measuring physiological parameters in the external auditory canal of a human using the at least one first sensor component (51).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0033] The disclosure is explained in more detail below using the accompanying schematic drawings. The drawings are not to scale; in particular, for reasons of clarity, the ratios of the individual dimensions to one another do not necessarily correspond to the dimensional ratios in actual technical implementations.
[0034] Several preferred exemplary implementations are described, to which the disclosure is, however, not limited. In principle, any variant of the disclosure described or indicated within the scope of the present application can be particularly advantageous, depending on the economic, technical and possibly medical conditions in the individual case. Unless stated otherwise, or as far as technically feasible in principle, individual features of the described implementations are interchangeable or can be combined with each other and with features known per se from the prior art.
[0035] In the particular implementations,
[0036] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary implementation of the device according to the disclosure for measuring physiological parameters with a wing element.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with two wing elements.
[0038] FIG. 3 are detailed views of different implementations of the elastic umbrellas of the device.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the elastic umbrella of an implementation of the device with a depression and residual material.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary implementation of the device according to the disclosure for measuring physiological parameters with an elastic wing element
[0041] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the elastic umbrella of an exemplary implementation of the device with a recess.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a partial view of an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with two wing elements arranged one behind the other and five sensor components.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a partial view of an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with three wing elements arranged next to one another and seven sensor components.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a partial view of an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with a wing element and two different sensor components arranged next to one another.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a partial view of an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with two wing elements arranged one behind the other and two similar sensor components,
PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters, which can be inserted into an external auditory canal of a human (not shown). The device includes an S-shaped and anatomically adapted hose line 20 for the partial insertion into the external auditory canal of a human and a housing 21 connected to the hose line 20. The housing is designed in such a way that a sensor device for measuring a physiological parameter is integrated into the housing. The hose line 20 includes a section 4 at a distal end 3 that faces the eardrum when worn, the section 4 having a wing element 5 with a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52 for measuring physiological parameters. In this example, the first sensor component is 51 a photodiode and the second sensor component 52 an LED. The wing element 5 is made of an elastomer and has a restoring force due to its intrinsic elastic material properties, so that, when the device is worn, the first sensor component 51 is brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing element 5. In this exemplary implementation, the section 4 includes a third sensor component 41, in this case an IR sensor or a loudspeaker, at its distal end 3. When the device 1 is worn, the third sensor component 41 is positioned stably in the external auditory canal. The third sensor component 41 does not touch the inner wall of the external auditory canal when worn, but can carry out the measurements without contact. In the example, there are further sensor components behind the third sensor component 41 and within section 4, in this case an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope for determination of acceleration and rotational movements. The device 1 additionally includes an elastic umbrella 6, in this case an elastic umbrella made of an elastic polymer elastic, for positioning in the external auditory canal, the elastic umbrella 6 being releasably connected to the section 4 via a plug connection.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a device 1 in an alternative design with two similar wing elements 5. In this example, the two wing elements 5 are arranged in a mirror symmetry around the essentially cylindrical section 4. The restoring force acts on the elastic umbrella from two sides, so that the sensor system can be pressed evenly against the inner wall of the hearing. Wearing the device is particularly comfortable in this way.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows various exemplary implementations of the elastic umbrellas 6. The elastic umbrella 6 has a recess 61 which is adapted in size and shape to accommodate the section 4 therein, whereby the elastic umbrella 6 can be connected to the section 4 in a detachable manner via a plug connection. In a first variant (variant A), the elastic umbrella 6 can have two holes 62a (or side holes) so that, when the device is worn, a first and a second sensor component 51, 52 can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal through the holes 62a. In a second variant (variant B), the elastic umbrella 6 can have two depressions 62b with a residual material with a small material thickness of 10 ?m to 2 mm, in particular 200 ?m, so that, when the device is worn, a first and a second sensor component 51, 52 can be brought into measuring connection to an inner wall of the external auditory canal via the residual material of the one or more depressions 62b. The residual material of the two depressions 62b is translucent and has a material thickness of the residual material of 10 ?m to 2 mm, the first and second sensor components 51, 52 each being a light sensor and/or an LED. In a third variant (variant C), the elastic umbrella has no holes/bores or depressions on the surface. In all three variants, the elastic umbrella is made in one piece and is made from either a clear, colorless or matt, Elastomer interspersed with a few color pigments. The residual material, which is still present through the depression, is also made of the same material in the third variant, but it is made so thin that it is essentially transparent to light, so that contact-free measurements can be carried out by the first and second sensor components in the wearer's external ear canal.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary implementation of the elastic umbrella 6 of the device with a clear, colorless depression 62b made in a small material thickness of 10 ?m or 50 ?m. The residual material of the depression 62b is in one piece with the elastic umbrella 6 and is made of the same material. In this example, the elastic umbrella and the residual material of the depression 62b consist of a clear, colorless elastomer.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary implementation of a device for measuring physiological parameters with a wing element and three sensor components. In this exemplary implementation, the wing element 5 has a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52. The first and second sensor components 51, 52 are each a photodiode and/or an LED. When the device is worn, the first and second sensor components 51, 52 are brought into contact with an inner wall or the skin of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing element 5. The at least one wing element 5 consists entirely or essentially of an elastic material, for example an elastomer, which provides an elastic restoring force due to its intrinsic material properties. The spring action of the wing element 5 necessary for pressing the sensor components 51 in the user's external auditory canal can be achieved in that the wing element or elements is/are not bent in the basic position, while they are at least partially bent after positioning in the external auditory canal. The illustration shows the basic position (straight, a) and the curved position (bent, b) of the wing element 5 that will later be positioned in the external auditory canal.
[0051] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary implementation of the elastic umbrella 6 of the device 1 with a recess 61 for receiving the section 4. The umbrella can easily be connected to the section 4 by plugging it on, whereby it is held in the section 4 by adhesive and frictional forces. Alternatively, the umbrella 6 can also be connected to section 4 with a screw connection, i.e. in this case the umbrella is screwed onto section 4. The elastic umbrellas 6 can be manufactured and provided in different shapes and sizes, so that even using strict hygiene regulations in pandemic times when using the device with multiple users, the device can be easily changed from one user to another user and can be positioned stably in the external auditory canals of different users. After each use, the elastic umbrella 6 can be separated from section 4 and disposed of as medical waste or in household waste.
[0052] If the umbrella 6 is attached from the front, then the wing element 5 can be bent, but this will cause a restoring force to the outside (position b). In the case of an umbrella, the restoring force acts through the umbrella due to the elasticity of the umbrella and presses the umbrella against the skin of the external auditory canal. This ensures direct or indirect contact of the wing element 5 with the external auditory canal. The elastic umbrella 6 and the wing element 5 adapt to the different shapes of the external auditory canal.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary implementation of a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters with two wing elements 5 arranged one behind the other and two pairs of sensor components 51, 52. In this exemplary implementation, both wing elements 5 have a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52. The first and second sensor components 51, 52 of both wing elements 5 are each a photodiode and an LED. When wearing the device, the first and second sensor components 51, 52 can be brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing elements 5. Both wing elements 5 each consist completely or are essentially made of an elastic material, for example an elastomer, which provides an elastic restoring force due to its intrinsic material properties. In the case of the wing elements, the respective restoring forces act in the same direction, so that the wing elements are only pressed against one side of the external auditory canal, while the other side has neither restoring forces nor sensors. In this case, however, the positioning is very stable in the external auditory canal,
[0054] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary implementation of a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters with three wing elements 5 arranged next to one another and three pairs of sensor components 51, 52. In this exemplary implementation, all three wing elements 5 each have a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52. The first and second sensor components 51, 52 of all wing elements 5 are each a photodiode and an LED, respectively. All three wing elements 5 each consist completely or are essentially made of an elastic material, for example an elastomer, which provides an elastic restoring force due to its intrinsic material properties.
[0055] FIGS. 9 and 10 show two exemplary implementations of a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters with one or two wing elements 5 and several sensor components. FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of an exemplary implementation of a device in which a wing element 5 with a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52 is attached to section 4. The first and second sensor components are arranged next to one another in the distal direction and spatially separated from one another. In this example, the first sensor component 51 is an LED and the second sensor component 52 is a photodiode. The light emitted by the first sensor component 51 cannot reach the second sensor component 52 directly due to the spatial separation. The second sensor component 52 measures physiological parameters such as pulse rate, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate with high resolution directly on the ear contact surface of the external auditory canal.
[0056] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary implementation of a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters with two wing elements 5 arranged one behind the other and first and second sensor components 51, 52. In this exemplary implementation, both wing elements 5 have a first sensor component 51 and a second sensor component 52. The first sensor component 51 of both wing elements 5 are each an LED. The second sensor component 52 of both wing elements 5 are each a light sensor, e.g. a photodiode. When wearing the device, the first and second sensor components 51, 52 are brought into contact with an inner wall of the external auditory canal by the restoring force of the wing elements 5. Both wing elements 5 each consist completely or are essentially made of an elastic material, for example an elastomer, which provides an elastic restoring force due to its intrinsic material properties. Thanks to the two wing elements arranged one behind the other, the device can be held in the external auditory canal in a very stable and comfortable manner for the user.
[0057] Measuring physiological parameters in a human ear canal can be achieved using the following method. In a first step (step a)), a device 1 for measuring physiological parameters, which can be inserted into an external auditory canal of a human, is provided; in a second step (step b)), the wing element 5 or the wing elements 5 of the section 4 moves and prestresses against his/her restoring force (position b) of FIG. 5). The section 4 is detachably connected to the elastic umbrella 6 by inserting the section 4 into the recess 61 of the elastic umbrella. The at least one wing element 5 remains in its prestressed position, but develops a force on the elastic umbrella and can deform it. The first sensor component 51 and second sensor component 52 come to rest, for example, in the area of the depressions 62b on the residual material of the depressions or, if the elastic umbrella has holes, the first sensor component 51 and second sensor component 52 can be positioned in the holes so that measurements of physiological parameters can be achieved by emitting and receiving light through the holes. In a third step (step c)), the device 1 is inserted into the external auditory canal of a human by bringing the first sensor component 51 and second sensor component 52 into contact with an inner wall or skin of the external auditory canal by the restoring force. The sensor components 51, 52 lie directly on the skin of the user's external auditory canal or, in the case of depressions, are positioned in the optical proximity to the skin of the user's external auditory canal. In a fourth step (step d)), physiological parameters in the external auditory canal of a human are measured using the first sensor component 51 and the second sensor component 52. After the measurement, the device can be pulled out of the user's external auditory canal.
[0058] After each use of the device, the elastic umbrella 6 is separated from section 4 and can be disposed of with household waste or as medical waste in accordance with hygiene regulations.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0059] 1 device [0060] 20 hose line [0061] 21 housing [0062] 3 distal end of the hose line [0063] 4 section [0064] 41 third sensor component (section) [0065] 5 wing element [0066] 51 first sensor component (wing element) [0067] 52 second sensor component (wing element) [0068] 6 elastic umbrella [0069] 61 recess [0070] 62a holes in the elastic umbrella [0071] 62b depressions in the elastic umbrella
