WO1997014357A1 - Heart rate monitor - Google Patents

Heart rate monitor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997014357A1
WO1997014357A1 PCT/GB1996/002554 GB9602554W WO9714357A1 WO 1997014357 A1 WO1997014357 A1 WO 1997014357A1 GB 9602554 W GB9602554 W GB 9602554W WO 9714357 A1 WO9714357 A1 WO 9714357A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heart rate
user
rate monitor
signal
monitor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/002554
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ronald David Lessels Mackie
Original Assignee
Healthcare Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Healthcare Technology Limited filed Critical Healthcare Technology Limited
Publication of WO1997014357A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997014357A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A61B5/02416—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A61B5/02438—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
    • A61B5/6814—Head
    • A61B5/6815—Ear
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
    • A61B5/6814—Head
    • A61B5/6815—Ear
    • A61B5/6816—Ear lobe

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a heart rate monitor for measuring and reporting the heart rate in an animal, such as a human.
  • Heart rate monitors are known for measuring and reporting the heart rate of humans in which signals that arise from the periodic pumping activity of the heart are detected from the pulsating flow of blood in a surface layer of the skin. The signals are amplified and processed with a timing circuit to calculate the heart rate which is then reported to the user.
  • the component of the system that senses the periodic heart activity is electrically connected to the human's chest and is supported by a chest belt or harness.
  • the chest belt is difficult to fit, involving the removal of clothing, and wearing such apparatus is not always comfortable, especially for female users.
  • a sensor for a heart rate monitor that is simple and easy to fit, which does not involve the removal of any clothing, and which does not cause discomfort when in use.
  • the heart rate is monitored for the purpose of determining the level of stress achieved.
  • the heart rate information can be used to regulate an exercise procedure or to check that safe limits of heart rate are not being exceeded.
  • the heart rate is generally displayed visually on monitoring apparatus which can, for example, be wrist-worn, waist-worn or provided on the console of an exercise machine, such as a treadmill.
  • a heart rate monitor comprising:
  • sensor means for detecting signals corresponding to a heart beat arising from periodic pulsating blood flow in a skin region of a user
  • the sensor means and the amplifying means are adapted to be mounted on or around an ear of the user.
  • the means for reporting heart rate may include means for generating a message audible to the user.
  • the sensor means may comprise a photo-optical sensor adapted to be clipped or otherwise located adjacent to the user.
  • the photo-optical sensor may be clipped to an earlobe of the user.
  • the photo-optical sensor may be clipped to an upper portion of an ear of the user.
  • the photo-optical sensor may comprise an infra-red emitting diode and a photodiode sensitive to infra-red radiation emitted by the infra-red emitting diode.
  • the amplifying means and/or the means for determining heart rate may be positioned in a housing adapted to fit around an ear of the user.
  • the audible message may be conveyed to the user by way of an earphone or headphones or may be conveyed to the user by way of an electro-mechanical transducer.
  • the audible message may comprise speech and/or a tone signal.
  • the audible message may include an indication of elapsed time following energisation of the heart rate monitor.
  • the electro-mechanical transducer may be adapted to be urged against the user's skull in a region behind an ear or may be adapted to be urged against the user's temple.
  • the means for determining heart rate may include discriminator means to determine whether the signal is above or below a predetermined threshold amplitude.
  • the means for determining heart rate may additionally include filter means to filter out extraneous high and low frequency components of the signal from the amplifier.
  • the discriminator means may provide a trigger signal when the signal passes the predetermined threshold amplitude. The intervals between trigger signals may be employed to determine a heart rate. Means may be provided for rejecting spurious trigger signals.
  • the monitor may incorporate means for transmitting a signal representative of the user's heart rate.
  • the transmitting means may comprise a radio transmitter.
  • the transmitting means may transmit a signal at the occurrence of each detected heart beat, receiving means incorporating means for determining the heart rate from the intervals between the transmitted signals.
  • the transmitting means may transmit a signal representative of a calculated heart rate.
  • the receiving means may comprise a headband adapted to be worn by the user.
  • the receiving means may comprise means adapted to be mounted on or around the other ear of the user.
  • the receiving means may incorporate means for recording the user's heart rate.
  • the monitor may incorporate means for communicating a signal from an audio sound source, such as a signal from a tape cassette player, to the user.
  • the monitor may incorporate means for muting the signal from the sound source in order to communicate heart rate and/or elapsed time information to the user.
  • the audio sound source may be demountable from the monitor.
  • the sensor may be mounted on cable means for communicating the signal from the audio sound source to the user.
  • the monitor may incorporate means for communicating a signal to means for displaying and/or recording heart rates.
  • the displaying and/or recording means may be demountable from the monitor.
  • the sensor may be mounted on cable means for communicating the signal from the monitor to the displaying and/or recording means.
  • the sensor may be movable in the longitudinal and/or peripheral directions of the cable means.
  • the cable means may be provided with a plurality of axially spaced radial flanges on which the sensor is mounted.
  • the sensor may be provided with a generally cylindrical bore for mounting on the cable means.
  • the cable means may be provided with stop means for limiting axial movement of the sensor relative to the cable means.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fir ⁇ t embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows the heart rate monitor of Figure 1 on a larger scale
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in the heart rate monitor of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a second embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2 , of a third embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a fourth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a first part of a fifth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in a first part of the heart rate monitor illustrated in Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in a second part of a heart rate monitor co-operable with the first part illustrated in Figures 7 and 8;
  • Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a sixth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
  • Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a seventh embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 12 is an elevational view of an eighth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention.
  • Figure 13 is a view of the heart rate monitor of Figure 12 taken in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12.
  • the heart rate monitor shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings comprises apparatus for measuring a user's heart rate by sensing the pulsating flow of blood in the user's skin and for reporting, by way of audible voiced or coded signals, the measured heart rate.
  • the apparatus comprises a photo-optical sensor 3 clipped to the user's earlobe 4.
  • the sensor 3 is connected to a lower end of an electronics module 1 by means of a flexible lead, the electronics module being adapted to fit behind the ear 2 of the user.
  • An earphone 6 is connected to an upper end of the electronics module 1 and is held in place by a stiffly flexible cable 5.
  • headphones are an alternative to the earphone 6.
  • the photo-optical components of the earlobe sensor 3 comprise an infra-red light emitting diode (LED) 12 and a photodiode 11 sensitive to the infra-red light emitted by the LED.
  • LED infra-red light emitting diode
  • a photodiode 11 sensitive to the infra-red light emitted by the LED.
  • Blood strongly absorbs infra-red radiation and thus, as blood flows and ebbs in the earlobe due to the arrival of blood pressure waves from the beating heart, the intensity of infra-red radiation transmitted through the earlobe and sensed by the photodiode fluctuates at a frequency corresponding to that of the heart rate.
  • the electronics components are mounted within the electronics module 1 and comprise a current source 15 to supply the LED 12, an amplifier 16 to amplify the weak fluctuating signal from the photodiode 11 to a sufficient amplitude that it can be processed by an electronic filter circuit 17 to filter out extraneous high and low frequency components of the signal.
  • the signal passes to an electronic discriminator 18 which, in turn, passes a trigger signal to a microcontroller 19 whenever the filtered signal exceeds a predetermined threshold amplitude.
  • the microcontroller 19 determines the time intervals between trigger signals from the discriminator 18, rejects false intervals due to motion artifacts, and converts the true beat-to-beat intervals into a heart rate in beats per minute.
  • the microcontroller 19 periodically generates control signals for a speech signal generator 20 to produce electrical signals corresponding to the measured heart rate in spoken words or coded tones.
  • Coded tones may be tones of different pitch, timbre, duration, loudness or number.
  • a coded tone may comprise a succession of short tones of identical pitch, the number of tones indicating the measured heart rate rounded to units of 20 beats per minute. In this case, seven tones would represent a heart rate in the range from 130 to 149 beats per minute, i.e. centred around 140 beats per minute.
  • the speech or tone signal is amplified by amplifier 21 and fed to the earphone 6 by way of cable 5. Additionally, a signal corresponding to elapsed time since the apparatus was switched on may be used to generate periodic speech or tone signals which are amplified by amplifier 21 and fed to the earphone 6 by way of cable 5.
  • a photo-optical sensor 103 connected to an electronics module 101, is positioned over an edge of an upper portion of the user's ear 102. Heart rate is reported to the user by way of an earphone 106.
  • a photo-optical sensor 203 is clipped to a user's earlobe 204 with an electronics module 201 being positioned behind the user's ear.
  • An electro-mechanical transducer 207 is mounted on the electronics module and is urged against the user's temple, the heart rate being reported to the user in spoken words or in coded tones. The transducer 207 thus transmits the heart rate report to the hearing organs of the user wholly or partly by acoustic conduction through the user's bone structure.
  • FIG. 6 The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 6 is a modification of that illustrated in Figure 5 and incorporates an electro-mechanical transducer 307 for reporting heart rate, the transducer 307 being urged against the user's skull in a region behind the ear.
  • the heart rate monitor shown in Figures 7 and 8 does not incorporate local reporting of the heart rate to the user, but instead a radio transmitter 408 is incorporated into an electronics module 401 to which an earlobe sensor 403 is connected.
  • the transmitter 408 transmits either a single brief message at the occurrence of each detected heart beat or alternatively periodically (for example, every 10 seconds) transmits a message containing a calculated heart rate.
  • the radio transmitter is capable of transmitting short bursts of 5 kHz radio waves, then if a short burst of 5 kHz is transmitted at each detected heart beat, then the display means of many commonly available heart rate monitors can be employed in conjunction with the apparatus illustrated in Figure 7 to display a calculated heart rate.
  • the electronics components mounted within the electronics module 401 are illustrated in Figure 8 and comprise a current source 415 to supply the photo-optical sensor 403.
  • the signal from the sensor is processed by an amplifier 416, a filter 417 and a discriminator 418 in the manner described hereinabove.
  • the trigger pulse issued by the discriminator 418 for each detected heart beat causes a radio frequency generator 430 to issue a short burst, for example of the order of 10 ms duration, of radio frequency current into a coil 431 which is wound on a rod of magnetic material to act as a transmitting aerial.
  • the behind-the-ear module 501 contains a radio transmitter 508 as in the embodiment of Figure 7.
  • the radio signals are received by way of electronic components provided in a headband 540 worn by the user.
  • the short bursts of radio transmissions from a transmitter 508 are detected and amplified by a receiver 541.
  • a microcontroller 542 measures the time intervals between the signals from the receiver 541, converts the intervals into a heart rate in beats per minute, and drives an audio output generator 543 which in turn drives an electro ⁇ mechanical transducer 544 with either spoken reports or coded tones.
  • the transducer 544 is urged against the user's temple and the audible messages are transmitted through the skull of the user to the inner ear.
  • the behind-the-ear transmitter module is similar to that illustrated in Figure 7 and 8, while a receiver module is worn behind the user's other ear for receiving the radio transmissions from the transmitter module and for generating audible messages.
  • the audible messages may be conveyed to the user's hearing organs by earphone or electro-mechanical transducer.
  • the benefit of such a configuration is that the electronic circuitry is divided between two modules, each of which can then be smaller and more convenient to wear.
  • the behind-the-ear module 601 contains a radio transmitter 608 as in the embodiment of Figure 7.
  • the behind-the-ear module additionally incorporates an earphone 606, the electronic circuitry incorporating audible message generation circuitry in addition to the radio transmitter.
  • the separate component could be, for example, a wrist-worn monitor such as is commonly used in known heart rate monitoring systems which incorporate a chest-worn transmitter.
  • the separate component could be waist-worn or mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle or on the console of exercise equipment.
  • the recording means can store heart rate samples for later analysis.
  • a photo-optical sensor 703 is clipped to the user's earlobe 704 and is connected to a lower end of an electronics module 701 by means of a flexible lead, the electronics module being adapted to fit behind the ear 702 of the user.
  • An earphone 706 is connected to an upper end of the electronics module 701 and is held in place by a stiffly flexible cable.
  • the lower end of the electronics module 701 is additionally connected to an audio sound source, such as a tape cassette player 762 as illustrated or a compact disc player or radio receiver, by way of a flexible cable 760 which is terminated at each end by demountable connectors 761 of any suitable configuration.
  • the audio sound source will generally be mounted on a waist belt worn by the user or carried in a pocket of a garment.
  • the audible signal heard by the user through the earphone 706 is primarily from the audio source, but periodically the signal from the audio source is muted and a spoken or coded heart rate signal is passed to the user.
  • the heart rate monitor shown in Figures 12 and 13 is a variation on that shown in Figure 11.
  • a flexible cable 860 for connection to an audio sound source (not shown) or to means (also not shown) for displaying and/or recording heart rates, extends from the lower end of an electronics module 801.
  • a photo- optical sensor 803, for clipping to the user's earlobe, is connected to the lower end of the electronics module by way of a flexible lead.
  • That region of the cable 860 adjoining the electronics module 801 is formed with axially-spaced radial flanges 870 of elastomeric material and the sensor 803 is provided with a generally cylindrical bore for mounting the sensor on the cable 860.
  • the cable 860 is also provided with stop means 871 at a suitable distance from the electronics module to restrict axial movement of the sensor along the cable 860. Should either of the cables "pull" on the sensor, the sensor will be uncomfortable for the user and movement could result in artefacts that result in incorrect heart rate readings.
  • the illustrated configuration allows the sensor to move in the longitudinal direction axially along the cable 860 and also to rotate in the peripheral direction about the axis of the cable and thus permits the user to position the sensor in such a way that it is an accurate and comfortable fit on the earlobe. Even when the user is exercising strenuously, the cable 860 does not pull on the user's earlobe.

Abstract

A heart rate monitor for measuring and reporting heart rate comprises a sensor (3), such as a photo-optical sensor, for detecting signals corresponding to a heart beat arising from periodic pulsating blood flow in a skin region of a user. The signals from the sensor (3) are amplified and the heart rate is determined from the intervals between the signals. The heart rate determined is then reported. At least the sensor (3) and the amplifier are adapted to be mounted on or around an ear of the user.

Description

HEART RATE MONITOR
The present invention relates to a heart rate monitor for measuring and reporting the heart rate in an animal, such as a human.
Heart rate monitors are known for measuring and reporting the heart rate of humans in which signals that arise from the periodic pumping activity of the heart are detected from the pulsating flow of blood in a surface layer of the skin. The signals are amplified and processed with a timing circuit to calculate the heart rate which is then reported to the user.
In many known heart rate monitors, the component of the system that senses the periodic heart activity is electrically connected to the human's chest and is supported by a chest belt or harness. The chest belt is difficult to fit, involving the removal of clothing, and wearing such apparatus is not always comfortable, especially for female users.
There is therefore an advantage in having a sensor for a heart rate monitor that is simple and easy to fit, which does not involve the removal of any clothing, and which does not cause discomfort when in use. When a human is exercising, the heart rate is monitored for the purpose of determining the level of stress achieved. The heart rate information can be used to regulate an exercise procedure or to check that safe limits of heart rate are not being exceeded. The heart rate is generally displayed visually on monitoring apparatus which can, for example, be wrist-worn, waist-worn or provided on the console of an exercise machine, such as a treadmill.
The nature of exercise is often such that it is inconvenient or impractical to look at a visual display, for example during fast running while wearing a wrist watch type of heart rate monitor. Clearly, blind athletes cannot view a visually displayed heart rate. Also, athletes working at peak power often have their vision impaired by perspiration. Moreover, road runners and joggers sometimes train in light levels that are too low to illuminate a visual display.
Where it is inconvenient or impractical to look at a visual display there is clearly an advantage in having a means for reporting heart rate which does not require physical movement to bring a visual display into a viewable position, or indeed which does not involve a visual display.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a heart rate monitor that is relatively simple and easy to fit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heart rate monitor that does not require any significant physical movement for the user to be able to determine the heart rate.
According to the present invention there is provided a heart rate monitor comprising:
sensor means for detecting signals corresponding to a heart beat arising from periodic pulsating blood flow in a skin region of a user;
means for amplifying the signal from the sensor;
means for determining heart rate from the intervals between the signals; and
means for reporting the heart rate determined,
wherein at least the sensor means and the amplifying means are adapted to be mounted on or around an ear of the user.
The means for reporting heart rate may include means for generating a message audible to the user.
The sensor means may comprise a photo-optical sensor adapted to be clipped or otherwise located adjacent to the user. The photo-optical sensor may be clipped to an earlobe of the user. Alternatively, the photo-optical sensor may be clipped to an upper portion of an ear of the user. The photo-optical sensor may comprise an infra-red emitting diode and a photodiode sensitive to infra-red radiation emitted by the infra-red emitting diode.
The amplifying means and/or the means for determining heart rate may be positioned in a housing adapted to fit around an ear of the user.
The audible message may be conveyed to the user by way of an earphone or headphones or may be conveyed to the user by way of an electro-mechanical transducer. The audible message may comprise speech and/or a tone signal. The audible message may include an indication of elapsed time following energisation of the heart rate monitor. The electro-mechanical transducer may be adapted to be urged against the user's skull in a region behind an ear or may be adapted to be urged against the user's temple.
The means for determining heart rate may include discriminator means to determine whether the signal is above or below a predetermined threshold amplitude. The means for determining heart rate may additionally include filter means to filter out extraneous high and low frequency components of the signal from the amplifier. The discriminator means may provide a trigger signal when the signal passes the predetermined threshold amplitude. The intervals between trigger signals may be employed to determine a heart rate. Means may be provided for rejecting spurious trigger signals.
In addition to, or as an alternative to, the generation of a message audible to the user, the monitor may incorporate means for transmitting a signal representative of the user's heart rate. The transmitting means may comprise a radio transmitter. The transmitting means may transmit a signal at the occurrence of each detected heart beat, receiving means incorporating means for determining the heart rate from the intervals between the transmitted signals. Alternatively, the transmitting means may transmit a signal representative of a calculated heart rate. The receiving means may comprise a headband adapted to be worn by the user. Alternatively, the receiving means may comprise means adapted to be mounted on or around the other ear of the user. The receiving means may incorporate means for recording the user's heart rate.
The monitor may incorporate means for communicating a signal from an audio sound source, such as a signal from a tape cassette player, to the user. The monitor may incorporate means for muting the signal from the sound source in order to communicate heart rate and/or elapsed time information to the user. The audio sound source may be demountable from the monitor. The sensor may be mounted on cable means for communicating the signal from the audio sound source to the user. Alternatively, the monitor may incorporate means for communicating a signal to means for displaying and/or recording heart rates. The displaying and/or recording means may be demountable from the monitor. The sensor may be mounted on cable means for communicating the signal from the monitor to the displaying and/or recording means.
The sensor may be movable in the longitudinal and/or peripheral directions of the cable means. The cable means may be provided with a plurality of axially spaced radial flanges on which the sensor is mounted. The sensor may be provided with a generally cylindrical bore for mounting on the cable means. The cable means may be provided with stop means for limiting axial movement of the sensor relative to the cable means.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a firεt embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the heart rate monitor of Figure 1 on a larger scale; Figure 3 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in the heart rate monitor of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a second embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2 , of a third embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a fourth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a first part of a fifth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in a first part of the heart rate monitor illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a block diagram of electronic circuitry for use in a second part of a heart rate monitor co-operable with the first part illustrated in Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a sixth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration, similar to that of Figure 2, of a seventh embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention;
Figure 12 is an elevational view of an eighth embodiment of a heart rate monitor according to the present invention; and
Figure 13 is a view of the heart rate monitor of Figure 12 taken in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12.
The heart rate monitor shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings comprises apparatus for measuring a user's heart rate by sensing the pulsating flow of blood in the user's skin and for reporting, by way of audible voiced or coded signals, the measured heart rate.
The apparatus comprises a photo-optical sensor 3 clipped to the user's earlobe 4. The sensor 3 is connected to a lower end of an electronics module 1 by means of a flexible lead, the electronics module being adapted to fit behind the ear 2 of the user. An earphone 6 is connected to an upper end of the electronics module 1 and is held in place by a stiffly flexible cable 5. Clearly, headphones are an alternative to the earphone 6.
The photo-optical components of the earlobe sensor 3 comprise an infra-red light emitting diode (LED) 12 and a photodiode 11 sensitive to the infra-red light emitted by the LED. Blood strongly absorbs infra-red radiation and thus, as blood flows and ebbs in the earlobe due to the arrival of blood pressure waves from the beating heart, the intensity of infra-red radiation transmitted through the earlobe and sensed by the photodiode fluctuates at a frequency corresponding to that of the heart rate.
The electronics components are mounted within the electronics module 1 and comprise a current source 15 to supply the LED 12, an amplifier 16 to amplify the weak fluctuating signal from the photodiode 11 to a sufficient amplitude that it can be processed by an electronic filter circuit 17 to filter out extraneous high and low frequency components of the signal. After filtering, the signal passes to an electronic discriminator 18 which, in turn, passes a trigger signal to a microcontroller 19 whenever the filtered signal exceeds a predetermined threshold amplitude. The microcontroller 19 determines the time intervals between trigger signals from the discriminator 18, rejects false intervals due to motion artifacts, and converts the true beat-to-beat intervals into a heart rate in beats per minute. The microcontroller 19 periodically generates control signals for a speech signal generator 20 to produce electrical signals corresponding to the measured heart rate in spoken words or coded tones. Coded tones may be tones of different pitch, timbre, duration, loudness or number. For example, a coded tone may comprise a succession of short tones of identical pitch, the number of tones indicating the measured heart rate rounded to units of 20 beats per minute. In this case, seven tones would represent a heart rate in the range from 130 to 149 beats per minute, i.e. centred around 140 beats per minute. The speech or tone signal is amplified by amplifier 21 and fed to the earphone 6 by way of cable 5. Additionally, a signal corresponding to elapsed time since the apparatus was switched on may be used to generate periodic speech or tone signals which are amplified by amplifier 21 and fed to the earphone 6 by way of cable 5.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, a photo-optical sensor 103, connected to an electronics module 101, is positioned over an edge of an upper portion of the user's ear 102. Heart rate is reported to the user by way of an earphone 106.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, a photo-optical sensor 203 is clipped to a user's earlobe 204 with an electronics module 201 being positioned behind the user's ear. An electro-mechanical transducer 207 is mounted on the electronics module and is urged against the user's temple, the heart rate being reported to the user in spoken words or in coded tones. The transducer 207 thus transmits the heart rate report to the hearing organs of the user wholly or partly by acoustic conduction through the user's bone structure.
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 6 is a modification of that illustrated in Figure 5 and incorporates an electro-mechanical transducer 307 for reporting heart rate, the transducer 307 being urged against the user's skull in a region behind the ear.
The heart rate monitor shown in Figures 7 and 8 does not incorporate local reporting of the heart rate to the user, but instead a radio transmitter 408 is incorporated into an electronics module 401 to which an earlobe sensor 403 is connected. The transmitter 408 transmits either a single brief message at the occurrence of each detected heart beat or alternatively periodically (for example, every 10 seconds) transmits a message containing a calculated heart rate. By way of example, if the radio transmitter is capable of transmitting short bursts of 5 kHz radio waves, then if a short burst of 5 kHz is transmitted at each detected heart beat, then the display means of many commonly available heart rate monitors can be employed in conjunction with the apparatus illustrated in Figure 7 to display a calculated heart rate. Thus, with the arrangement of Figure 7, many commonly available heart rate monitors can be converted into systems that do not require a chest belt to be worn. Alternatives for the positioning of the display means may include a wrist- or waist-worn monitor, or the display means could be mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle or on the console of exercise equipment.
The electronics components mounted within the electronics module 401 are illustrated in Figure 8 and comprise a current source 415 to supply the photo-optical sensor 403. The signal from the sensor is processed by an amplifier 416, a filter 417 and a discriminator 418 in the manner described hereinabove. The trigger pulse issued by the discriminator 418 for each detected heart beat causes a radio frequency generator 430 to issue a short burst, for example of the order of 10 ms duration, of radio frequency current into a coil 431 which is wound on a rod of magnetic material to act as a transmitting aerial.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 9, the behind-the-ear module 501 contains a radio transmitter 508 as in the embodiment of Figure 7. However, in Figure 9 the radio signals are received by way of electronic components provided in a headband 540 worn by the user. The short bursts of radio transmissions from a transmitter 508 are detected and amplified by a receiver 541. A microcontroller 542 measures the time intervals between the signals from the receiver 541, converts the intervals into a heart rate in beats per minute, and drives an audio output generator 543 which in turn drives an electro¬ mechanical transducer 544 with either spoken reports or coded tones. The transducer 544 is urged against the user's temple and the audible messages are transmitted through the skull of the user to the inner ear.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) the behind-the-ear transmitter module is similar to that illustrated in Figure 7 and 8, while a receiver module is worn behind the user's other ear for receiving the radio transmissions from the transmitter module and for generating audible messages. As described hereinabove, the audible messages may be conveyed to the user's hearing organs by earphone or electro-mechanical transducer. The benefit of such a configuration is that the electronic circuitry is divided between two modules, each of which can then be smaller and more convenient to wear.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 10, the behind-the-ear module 601 contains a radio transmitter 608 as in the embodiment of Figure 7. However, in Figure 10 the behind-the-ear module additionally incorporates an earphone 606, the electronic circuitry incorporating audible message generation circuitry in addition to the radio transmitter. Thus, not only is the heart rate reported locally to the user by way of the audible message, but can also be received remotely by a separate component of the system that incorporates radio receiving means and means for displaying and/or recording the heart rate. The separate component could be, for example, a wrist-worn monitor such as is commonly used in known heart rate monitoring systems which incorporate a chest-worn transmitter. Alternatively, the separate component could be waist-worn or mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle or on the console of exercise equipment. The recording means can store heart rate samples for later analysis.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 11, as with the embodiment of Figure 2 a photo-optical sensor 703 is clipped to the user's earlobe 704 and is connected to a lower end of an electronics module 701 by means of a flexible lead, the electronics module being adapted to fit behind the ear 702 of the user. An earphone 706 is connected to an upper end of the electronics module 701 and is held in place by a stiffly flexible cable. The lower end of the electronics module 701 is additionally connected to an audio sound source, such as a tape cassette player 762 as illustrated or a compact disc player or radio receiver, by way of a flexible cable 760 which is terminated at each end by demountable connectors 761 of any suitable configuration. The audio sound source will generally be mounted on a waist belt worn by the user or carried in a pocket of a garment. Thus, the audible signal heard by the user through the earphone 706 is primarily from the audio source, but periodically the signal from the audio source is muted and a spoken or coded heart rate signal is passed to the user.
The heart rate monitor shown in Figures 12 and 13 is a variation on that shown in Figure 11. In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, a flexible cable 860, for connection to an audio sound source (not shown) or to means (also not shown) for displaying and/or recording heart rates, extends from the lower end of an electronics module 801. A photo- optical sensor 803, for clipping to the user's earlobe, is connected to the lower end of the electronics module by way of a flexible lead. That region of the cable 860 adjoining the electronics module 801 is formed with axially-spaced radial flanges 870 of elastomeric material and the sensor 803 is provided with a generally cylindrical bore for mounting the sensor on the cable 860. The cable 860 is also provided with stop means 871 at a suitable distance from the electronics module to restrict axial movement of the sensor along the cable 860. Should either of the cables "pull" on the sensor, the sensor will be uncomfortable for the user and movement could result in artefacts that result in incorrect heart rate readings. However, the illustrated configuration allows the sensor to move in the longitudinal direction axially along the cable 860 and also to rotate in the peripheral direction about the axis of the cable and thus permits the user to position the sensor in such a way that it is an accurate and comfortable fit on the earlobe. Even when the user is exercising strenuously, the cable 860 does not pull on the user's earlobe.

Claims

1. A heart rate monitor comprising:
sensor means (3, 103, 203, 403, 703, 803) for detecting signals corresponding to a heart beat arising from periodic pulsating blood flow in a skin region of a user;
means (16) for amplifying the signal from the sensor;
means for determining heart rate from the intervals between the signals; and
means for reporting the heart rate determined,
characterised in that at least the sensor means (3, 103, 203, 403, 703, 803) and the amplifying means (16) are adapted to be mounted on or around an ear (2, 702) of the user.
2. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the sensor means comprises a photo- optical sensor adapted to be clipped or otherwise located adjacent to the user, such as clipped to an earlobe (4, 704) of the user or clipped to an upper portion of an ear (102) of the user.
3. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the photo-optical sensor comprises an infra-red emitting diode (12) and a photodiode (11) sensitive to infra-red radiation emitted by the infra-red emitting diode.
4. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the amplifying means (16, 416) and/or the means for determining heart rate is positioned in a housing adapted to fit around an ear (2) of the user.
5. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means for reporting heart rate includes means (20, 543) for generating a message audible to the user, for example conveyed to the user by way of an earphone (6, 606, 706) or headphones or conveyed to the user by way of an electro-mechanical transducer (107, 207, 544).
6. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the audible message comprises speech and/or a tone signal.
7. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the audible message includes an indication of elapsed time following energisation of the heart rate monitor.
8. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means for determining heart rate includes discriminator means (18, 418) to determine whether the signal is above or below a predetermined threshold amplitude and may additionally include filter means (17, 417) to filter out extraneous high and low frequency components of the signal from the amplifier.
9. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the discriminator means (18, 418) provides a trigger signal when the signal passes the predetermined threshold amplitude and optionally provides means (19) for rejecting spurious trigger signals.
10. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the intervals between trigger signals are employed to determine a heart rate.
11. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by the provision of means for transmitting and receiving a signal representative of the user's heart rate, the transmitting means comprising for example a radio transmitter (408, 508, 608).
12. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the transmitting means transmits a signal at the occurrence of each detected heart beat.
13. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the transmitting means transmits a signal representative of a calculated heart rate.
14. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the receiving means comprises a headband (540) adapted to be worn by the user or means adapted to be mounted on or around the other ear of the user.
15. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that the receiving means incorporates means for recording the user's heart rate.
16. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by the provision of means for communicating a signal from an audio sound source, such as a signal from a tape cassette player (762) , to the user, for example including means for muting the signal from the sound source in order to communicate heart rate and/or elapsed time information to the user.
17. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the audio sound source (762) is demountable from the remainder of the monitor.
18. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the sensor is mounted on cable means (5, 760, 860) for communicating the signal from the audio sound source (762) to the user.
19. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by the provision of means for communicating the signal to means for displaying and/or recording heart rates, which means may be demountable for example from the remainder of the monitor.
20. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the sensor (703) is mounted on cable means (760, 860) for communicating the signal from the monitor to the displaying and/or recording means.
21. A heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the sensor (803) is movable in the longitudinal and/or peripheral directions of the cable means (860) .
22. A heart rate monitor as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21, characterised in that the cable means is provided with stop means (871) for limiting axial movement of the sensor (803) relative to the cable means (860) .
PCT/GB1996/002554 1995-10-19 1996-10-17 Heart rate monitor WO1997014357A1 (en)

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GBGB9521453.2A GB9521453D0 (en) 1995-10-19 1995-10-19 Heart rate monitor

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US10534514B2 (en) 2006-09-21 2020-01-14 Apple Inc. Variable I/O interface for portable media device
US11157150B2 (en) 2006-09-21 2021-10-26 Apple Inc. Variable I/O interface for portable media device
US9881326B2 (en) 2006-09-21 2018-01-30 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for facilitating group activities
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WO2008132359A2 (en) * 2007-03-12 2008-11-06 Institut National Des Telecommunications (Int) Groupe Des Ecoles Des Telecommunications (Get) Ambulatory remote vigilance system with a pulse soundproofing, actimetry and drop detection device
FR2913588A1 (en) * 2007-03-12 2008-09-19 Groupe Ecoles Telecomm AMBULATORY TELEVIGILANCE SYSTEM COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR PULSE DEBRISING, ACTIMETRY AND FALL DETECTION
WO2008132359A3 (en) * 2007-03-12 2008-12-24 Inst Nat Des Telecomm Int Grou Ambulatory remote vigilance system with a pulse soundproofing, actimetry and drop detection device
WO2008118261A1 (en) * 2007-03-27 2008-10-02 Apple Inc. Integrated sensors for tracking performance metrics
WO2009094843A1 (en) * 2007-12-28 2009-08-06 Chang-An Chou Ear-worn biofeedback device
WO2009100654A1 (en) * 2008-02-05 2009-08-20 Chang-An Chou Ear-worn eeg monitoring device
US8396529B2 (en) 2008-05-06 2013-03-12 Neurosky, Inc. Dry electrode device and method of assembly
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US10776739B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2020-09-15 Apple Inc. Fitness challenge E-awards
US11468388B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2022-10-11 Apple Inc. Fitness challenge E-awards
US11868939B2 (en) 2014-09-30 2024-01-09 Apple Inc. Fitness challenge e-awards
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