Body mounted monitoring system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10024743-B2
Application number	US-201213662009-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2012
Priority date	Oct 27, 2011
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and/or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for monitoring a force acting on a head of a user, comprising:
a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user and having an outer flexible layer and an inner flexible layer; and
a monitoring assembly removably coupled to the flexible article, the monitoring assembly including:
a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head,
a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and
a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor,

wherein only the inner flexible layer separates the sensor from the head of the user when the flexible article is worn,
wherein the flexible strip includes a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is disposed at the first end and the control unit is disposed intermediate to the first end and the second end,
wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion,
wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user's neck, and
wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a pocket formed in the flexible article, and wherein at least a portion of the monitoring assembly is disposed in the pocket.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the monitoring assembly is securely attached to the flexible article.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the head.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises a low-g accelerometer adapted to measure an acceleration of no more than 24 g.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of accelerometers.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises at least one gyroscope.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the monitoring assembly is disposed between the outer and inner flexible layers.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article comprises a hat.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article comprises a headband.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article comprises eyewear.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article comprises a cap with a visor.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article is adapted to conform to a crown of a head of the user.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible article is adapted to conform to at least one portion of the user's head proximate to a region selected from the group consisting of the cranium, the frontal bone, the temporal bone, the parietal bone, the sphenoid bone, the occipital bone, the scalp, and combinations thereof.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head is positioned to be disposed proximate to the temporal bone or the parietal bone of the head.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor positioned to be disposed immediately proximate to the head is positioned to be disposed proximate to the cranium.

17. A device for monitoring acceleration of the head of a user, comprising:
a flexible article of clothing having first and second flexible layers conformable to the head of the user;
a sensor disposed between the first and second flexible layers for measuring an acceleration of the head and transmitting data relating to the acceleration;
a control unit disposed between the first and second flexible layers having a housing and a processor disposed in the housing for receiving the acceleration data from the sensor; and
a flexible strip operatively electrically connecting the sensor to the control unit,
wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion,
wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user's neck, and
wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the head.

19. The device of claim 17 , wherein the sensor is adapted to be disposed immediately proximate the head.

20. The device of claim 17 , wherein the control unit is detachable from the flexible article of clothing.

21. The device of claim 17 , further comprising a display for providing information related to the acceleration data to the user.

22. The device of claim 21 , further comprising a user interface for manipulating the display.

23. The device of claim 17 , wherein the sensor is disposed at a distal end of the flexible strip and the control unit is disposed at a proximate end of the flexible strip.

24. The device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible strip includes a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is disposed at the first end and the control unit is disposed intermediate to the first end and the second end.

25. The device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible strip includes a first extension to be positioned about a first side of the head and a second extension to be positioned about a second side of the head.

26. The device of claim 25 , wherein the control unit is disposed at the intersection of the first extension and the second extension.

27. The device of claim 17 , further comprising a pocket formed in the flexible article of clothing, and wherein the flexible strip is disposed in the pocket.

28. The device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible strip is securely attached to the flexible article of clothing.

29. The device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible article comprises a hat.

30. The device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible article comprises a headband.

31. A method of monitoring forces on the head of a user, comprising:
providing a wearable monitor conformable to the head of the user and adapted to be worn intermediate a rigid helmet and the head, the wearable monitor having at least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope to be positioned immediately proximate to the head and proximate to at least one of the cranium, the frontal bone, the temporal bone, the parietal bone, the sphenoid bone, or the occipital bone of a user;
collecting data from the least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope about an acceleration of the head; and
conveying information related to the acceleration from a control unit operatively connected to the at least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope by a flexible strip, the control unit disposed within a pocket of the wearable monitor to the user,
wherein the pocket of the wearable monitor has an opening in an inner layer of the wearable monitor,
wherein the flexible strip includes a first portion and a second portion more flexible than the first portion,
wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned at a base of the user's neck, and
wherein the control unit is coupled to the second portion.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the at least one accelerometer and the at least one gyroscope are positioned proximate to at least one of the temporal bone and the parietal bone.

33. The method of claim 31 , wherein the at least one acceleromet

Assignees

• Reebok Int Ltd
• Mc10 Inc

Inventors

• Davis Paul M
• Marvin William
• Fastert Steven
• Dowling Kevin
• Litchfield Paul E
• Schlatka Benjamin
• Callsen Gilman
• Rich Robert
• Simone Dustin G
• Stern Keith A
• Gaboriault Dennis

Classifications

• G01L5/0052 Primary

  measuring forces due to impact (G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00) · CPC title

• A61B2562/0219

  Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches · CPC title

• G01P1/023

  for acceleration measuring devices · CPC title

• G01P15/08

  with conversion into electric or magnetic values · CPC title

• G01M7/08

  Shock-testing · CPC title