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US-12616378-B2 - Sensor device for ascertaining inflammation-relevant vital parameters

US12616378B2US 12616378 B2US12616378 B2US 12616378B2US-12616378-B2

Abstract

A sensor device for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation includes a base body ( 1 a ) with a substantially rectangular base surface; an ring-shaped holder ( 2 ), which is fixed to the base body ( 1 a ), for placing on a finger of a patient; and at least one sensor arm ( 4 ), which is detachably fixed to the base body ( 1 a ). A sensor surface, which is functionally associated with a temperature sensor ( 6 ), is arranged at the end on the sensor arm ( 4 ) in such a way and the sensor arm ( 4 ) has such a length that the sensor surface in the position of use comes to rest on the base joint of the patient's finger. Means for storing and optionally transmitting the data measured by the temperature sensor to a data evaluation unit are provided in the base body, and the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) fixed to the base body ( 1 a ) is detachably fixed to the base body.

Inventors

  • Markus Geffe

Assignees

  • Markus Geffe

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20211118
Priority Date
20201120

Claims (17)

  1. 1 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: a base body ( 1 a ) with a substantially rectangular base surface, a ring-shaped holder ( 2 ), which is fixed to the base body ( 1 a ), for placing on a finger of a patient, and at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) detachably fixed to the base body ( 1 a), wherein a sensor surface, which is functionally associated with a temperature sensor ( 6 ), is arranged at the end on the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) and is configured to rest on the base joint of the patient's finger in use, wherein means for storing and optionally transmitting data measured by the temperature sensor to a data evaluation unit are provided in the base body, and wherein the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) is detachably fixed to the base body via an intermediate element ( 5 ).
  2. 2 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 1 , wherein a further sensor arm ( 7 ) is detachably fixed to the base body ( 1 a ) so that a sensor surface functionally associated with a further temperature sensor ( 9 ) is arranged at the end of the further sensor arm ( 7 ) and is configured to rest on the patient's finger middle joint in the position of use.
  3. 3 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) and/or the further sensor arm ( 7 ) encloses an angle of 0° to 45°, in a direction of the ring-shaped holder ( 2 ) with respect to a plane spanned by the base surface of the base body ( 1 a ).
  4. 4 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 2 , wherein the further sensor arm ( 7 ) is detachably fixed to the base body via a further intermediate element ( 8 ).
  5. 5 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) and/or the further sensor arm ( 7 ) encloses an angle of 20° to 30° in a direction of the ring-shaped holder ( 2 ) with respect to a plane spanned by the base surface of the base body ( 1 a ).
  6. 6 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped holder ( 2 ) comprises two ring segments ( 2 A, 2 B), at least one of which is fixed to the base body ( 1 A) via a spring element ( 3 ).
  7. 7 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 6 , wherein the ring-shaped holder ( 2 ) comprises two ring segments ( 2 A, 2 B) which are each fixed to the base body ( 1 A) via a spring element ( 3 A, 3 B) and form a gap ( 12 ) at the end opposite the base body ( 1 A), the ring segments ( 2 A, 2 B) each having at least one sensor for determining the gap width at their end ( 13 , 14 ) facing the gap ( 12 ).
  8. 8 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 1 , wherein at least one further sensor ( 23 ) for determining a physiological parameter comprising the conductivity of the skin, the oxygen saturation of the blood, the pulse, the heart rhythm, the concentration of blood cells or the concentration of haemoglobin (Hb) is arranged in the ring-shaped holder ( 2 ) or the base body ( 1 A).
  9. 9 . System for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: at least one sensor device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 ; and a back-of-hand module ( 21 ) with sensors ( 23 ) which are coupled to one another for transmitting the data obtained and stored by the respective sensor device in a communication link.
  10. 10 . Kit for determining and evaluating vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: at least one sensor device according to claim 1 ; and a unit for evaluating and storing the data obtained and stored by the sensor device, wherein the at least one sensor unit and the evaluation unit are coupled to one another in a communication link.
  11. 11 . Sensor device ( 1 ) for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor arm ( 4 ) is detachably fixed to the base body via a flexible intermediate element ( 5 ).
  12. 12 . System for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: at least two sensor devices ( 1 ) according to claim 1 ; and a back-of-hand module ( 21 ) with sensors ( 23 ) which are coupled to one another for transmitting the data obtained and stored by the respective sensor device in a communication link.
  13. 13 . Kit for determining and evaluating vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: at least one sensor device according to claim 1 ; and a unit for evaluating and storing the data obtained and stored by the sensor device and for preparing a therapy recommendation or a behavior recommendation for the patient, wherein the at least one sensor unit and the evaluation unit are coupled to one another in a communication link.
  14. 14 . A sensor device for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation, comprising: a base body having a substantially rectangular base surface; a ring-shaped holder fixed to the base body and configured to be placed on a finger of a patient; a first sensor arm detachably fixed to the base body via a first intermediate element; and a first temperature sensor having a sensor surface arranged at an end on the first sensor arm and configured to rest on a base joint of the patient's finger.
  15. 15 . A sensor device according to claim 14 , further comprising: a second sensor arm detachably fixed to the base body via a second intermediate element; and a second temperature sensor having a sensor surface arranged at the end of the second sensor arm and configured to rest on a middle joint of the patient's finger.
  16. 16 . A sensor device according to claim 15 , wherein the first intermediate element and the second intermediate element are telescopically adjustable.
  17. 17 . A sensor device according to claim 14 , wherein the ring-shaped holder comprises two opposing half-cylindrical ring segments, at least one of which is fixed to the base body via a spring element.

Description

This U.S. patent application is a national stage application of PCT/EP2021/082226 filed on 18 Nov. 2021 and claims priority of European patent document EP 20209022.1 filed on 20 Nov. 2020, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a sensor device for determining vital parameters relevant to inflammation. Inflammation is the body's own reaction to harmful stimuli, which is classically expressed by the signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, pain and functional limitations. In this regard, messenger substances of the immune system cause the blood vessels to dilate, so that the area of inflammation is supplied with more blood and the vessels become more permeable for the escape of blood plasma and immune cells into the tissue. Any stimulus that exceeds the physiological level can trigger inflammation. This applies in particular to physical stimuli such as mechanical stimuli or foreign bodies such as metabolic products like uric acid crystals, as well as allergens and autoallergens, for example in rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. Uric acid crystals are deposited, for example, in various peripheral joints and tissues as a result of a high uric acid concentration in the blood. Deposits of uric acid crystals lead to bone resorption near the joint and cartilage changes, which are reflected in the clinical picture of gouty arthritis. The joint is usually very red, extremely painful, very swollen and overheated. Similar symptoms are observed in rheumatic diseases. Here, the body attacks its own structures such as the synovial membrane, for example in rheumatoid arthritis, and as a result of the mostly chronic inflammations, those affected by joint-related forms (articular rheumatism, or chronic articular rheumatism) suffer from pain, swelling or effusions of the joints and, as late consequences, from joint destruction, malpositions and loss of function. The course of a rheumatic disease and the response to therapy can vary greatly from patient to patient, even with the same diagnosis. Timely diagnosis and therapy are often decisive for the course of a rheumatic disease in order to prevent the long-term consequences described above. To this end, it is particularly important to detect the first symptoms of a rheumatic disease or its flare-up in the affected joints at an early stage and to be able to initiate therapy in good time. The first symptoms of a gout or rheumatic disease include an increase in temperature of the affected joint as well as swelling of the joint beyond the normal size. If these symptoms are recognised at an early stage, it is possible to initiate therapy at an equally early stage. Thus, drug therapies can then be initiated, especially with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs. Due to the clear risks and possible side effects, however, an individual assessment and indication of possible risks must be made in each case, especially in the case of a long-term prescription. In the scientific research of such diseases of the joints as gout and rheumatoid arthritis, considerations have been made to what extent the course of the disease can be recorded by determining the temperature profiles of the sufferers at the affected joints. However, no device is known in the prior art that can be used to reliably record the course of temperature, especially of the affected joints, in a simple and convenient way for the patient. From DE 29715113U1, similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,106 B1, a finger temperature indicator ring is known, which is supposed to determine the body temperature reliably and independently of the patient's mental mood. This ring is worn like a normal ring between the joints of, for example, the ring finger. With this device, the finger temperature is measured directly next to the ring body and thus as inconspicuously as possible in order to exclude fluctuations in body temperature due to psychological stress. Measurement of the joint temperature or other parameters is not provided for in accordance with this publication. In the state of the art, a number of devices are known that are designed to determine physiological parameters on the finger or other human limbs. For example, DE 20 2006 009 103 describes a glove-like biological measuring device consisting of a glove-like main body that can be put on by the user and has electrical connections, wherein an opening is provided in the place of a finger where a biological measuring device can be placed. As such a biological measuring device, a light transmitter and a light receiver are proposed, which serve to measure the oxygen content in the blood. EP 2437039A2 describes an ergonomic thermometer that is held in the hand and is intended for determining the temperature of the skin surface. The disadvantage of this device is the need to carry the thermometer constantly under pressure between the fingers. EP 3075312B1 discloses a ring-shaped device for measuring the patient's skin re