Abstract: A system and method for noninvasive sleep monitoring are disclosed. The system includes an in-ear biosensor system (“biosensor system”) and a data analysis system. The biosensor system includes at least one earbud placed at or within an ear canal of an individual. The earbud includes an acoustic sensor that detects biosignals including infrasonic and audible signals from the individual in the ear canal. A controller board of the biosensor system collects and forwards the biosignals to the data analysis system. The data analysis system analyzes the biosignals to identify and monitor physiological information of the individual during sleep. The physiological information includes sleep stages, sleeping position information, sleep events including snore, breathing cessation and bruxism events, and sleep disorders, in examples. The system can also induce changes to the physiological information during sleep using external stimuli to improve a quality of sleep.
Abstract: An earbud for detecting biosignals from and presenting audio signals at an inner ear canal and method therefor are disclosed. The earbud includes a nozzle and a housing including a body. The nozzle extends from the housing body and has a proximal end arranged for positioning within an inner ear canal of an individual. An earbud tip of the earbud attaches to the proximal end of the nozzle and is adapted to engage the inner ear canal. The earbud includes a speaker and various sensors including an infrasonic/vibration sensor. The infrasonic/vibration sensor detects the biosignals including infrasonic signals from the body of the individual in the canal, and the speaker transmits sound from an audio source into the canal via the nozzle. The earbud preferably seals the inner ear canal to block external sound while also decreasing an acoustic volume of the canal that amplifies the biosignals prior to detection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 13, 2021
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2024
Assignee:
MindMics, Inc.
Inventors:
Anna Barnacka, Jal Mahendra Panchal, Martin D Ring, Thomas Devlin
Abstract: An earbud for detecting biosignals from and presenting audio signals at an inner ear canal and method therefor are disclosed. The earbud includes a nozzle and a housing including a body. The nozzle extends from the housing body and has a proximal end arranged for positioning within an inner ear canal of an individual. An earbud tip of the earbud attaches to the proximal end of the nozzle and is adapted to engage the inner ear canal. The earbud includes a speaker and various sensors including an infrasonic/vibration sensor. The infrasonic/vibration sensor detects the biosignals including infrasonic signals from the body of the individual in the canal, and the speaker transmits sound from an audio source into the canal via the nozzle. The earbud preferably seals the inner ear canal to block external sound while also decreasing an acoustic volume of the canal that amplifies the biosignals prior to detection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 25, 2022
Assignee:
MindMics, Inc.
Inventors:
Anna Barnacka, Jal Mahendra Panchal, Martin D Ring, Thomas Devlin