Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to detect/measure physiological information from the subject, and a processor configured to process the physiological information to detect subject stress, and to determine an origin of the subject stress. The processor can determine the origin of the subject stress by increasing a sampling rate of the PPG sensor to collect higher acuity physiological information. The processor also can determine the origin of the subject stress by processing data from the PPG sensor to determine whether the subject is likely to have atrial fibrillation. In response to determining that the subject is likely to have atrial fibrillation, the processor can increase a frequency of pulsing of an optical emitter of the PPG sensor and/or increase a sampling rate of the PPG sensor to collect higher acuity data for diagnosing that atrial fibrillation is truly occurring.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: An earpiece monitor configured to be worn by a subject includes a battery, an earpiece fitting configured to be inserted within an ear canal of an ear of the subject, a reflective pulse oximeter configured to measure pulse rate and pulse intensity of the subject, a motion sensor configured to monitor footsteps and head motion of the subject, a digital memory for storing at least one algorithm, and a processor configured to process signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor using the at least one algorithm to generate as assessment of a health state of the subject. The earpiece fitting is configured to transmit sound to the inner ear or eardrum of the subject. The assessment of the health state of the subject may include an assessment of subject physiological stress and/or an assessment of overall subject health.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the cardiopulmonary functioning of a person includes a remote terminal and a sensor module configured to be worn by the person. The sensor module includes at least one physiological sensor configured to sense the following types of physiological information generated by the person: pulse rate, blood flow, and blood pressure; at least one signal processor configured to process signals generated by the at least one physiological sensor; and at least one transmitter responsive to the at least one signal processor that is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one remote terminal. The at least one signal processor is configured to focus processing resources on one of the types of physiological information in response to a specified preference by the person.

Abstract: A wearable device collects a plurality of photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms from a PPG sensor in the wearable device and collects inertial data associated with subject motion from an inertial sensor in the wearable device. The wearable device processes the inertial data in an assessment processor of the wearable device to determine a data integrity of the plurality of PPG waveforms and, responsive to the determined data integrity, processes the plurality of PPG waveforms in the assessment processor using a neural network comprising thousands of coefficients to generate an assessment of the subject blood pressure.

Abstract: An earpiece module includes a physiological sensor, an external energy sensor, a transceiver, a communication module, a data storage component, and a power source. The communication module includes a microphone, a speaker, and a signal processor. The signal processor processes audio information received from a remote source via the transceiver and communicates the processed audio information to a subject via the speaker. The signal processor processes information in real time from the physiological sensor and the external energy sensor, and the signal processor provides biofeedback to the subject based on signals produced by the physiological sensor. The data storage component includes a plurality of algorithms. At least one algorithm focuses processing resources on extracting physiological information from the physiological sensor, at least one algorithm is configured to be modified or uploaded wirelessly via the transceiver, and at least one algorithm is a compression/decompression (CODEC) algorithm.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to measure physiological information from the subject, and at least one processor configured to process signals from the PPG sensor to determine heart rate and RR-interval (RRi) for the subject, and to determine a heart rate pattern for the subject over a period of time. The at least one processor is configured to change a sampling frequency of the PPG sensor for determining RRi in response to the determined heart rate pattern. The at least one processor is configured to reduce the sampling frequency of the PPG sensor in response to determining a pattern of heart rate below a threshold.

Abstract: An optical sensor module includes a housing, first and second optical emitters within the housing, and an optical detector within the housing that is positioned between the first and second optical emitters. The housing includes respective first and second windows of optically transparent material that overlie the first and second optical emitters, and also includes a third window of optically transparent material that overlies the optical detector. The third window includes opposite first and second ends and opposite first and second sides, and at least one of the first and second sides is curved inwardly. Both of the first and second sides of the third window may be curved inwardly such that the third window has an hourglass shape.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: A headset includes a housing defining an audio cavity, a speaker located within the audio cavity, and first and second sensor modules within the housing in spaced-apart, angled relationship to each other. The housing includes an aperture through which sound from the speaker can pass, and the first and second sensor modules are on opposing sides of a direction from the speaker to the aperture. The first sensor module is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation at a first target region of an ear of a person wearing the headset and to detect a first energy response signal therefrom that is associated with one or more physiological metrics of the subject, and the second sensor module is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation at a second target region of the ear and to detect a second energy response signal therefrom that is associated with the one or more physiological metrics.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a speaker driver, an optical source secured directly to the speaker driver, an optical detector secured directly to the speaker driver, a first light guide extending outwardly from the optical source and in optical communication with the optical source, and a second light guide extending outwardly from the optical detector and in optical communication with the optical detector. The first light guide is configured to deliver light from the optical source into an ear region of the subject via a distal end thereof, and the second light guide is configured to collect light from the ear region via a distal end thereof and deliver collected light to the optical detector. The hearing aid may include at least one signal processor configured to process signals produced by the optical detector, and at least one of the following: an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, an altimeter, a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A wearable device collects a plurality of photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms from a PPG sensor in the wearable device and collects inertial data associated with subject motion from an inertial sensor in the wearable device. The wearable device processes the inertial data in an assessment processor of the wearable device to determine a data integrity of the plurality of PPG waveforms and, responsive to the determined data integrity, processes the plurality of PPG waveforms in the assessment processor using a neural network comprising thousands of coefficients to generate an assessment of the subject blood pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring environmental exposure and physiological response thereto are provided. A monitoring apparatus worn by a subject includes a physiological sensor that detects physiological information from the subject, an environmental exposure sensor that detects at least one airborne analyte in a vicinity of the subject, and a processor. The processor processes signals produced by the environmental exposure sensor and calculates a volumetric concentration of the least one airborne analyte. In addition, the processor process signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor to determine a physiological response of the subject to the at least one airborne analyte. The apparatus also includes a motion sensor and the processor calculates a distance traveled by the subject via signals produced by the motion sensor and calculates a volume of air to which the subject has been exposed using the distance traveled by the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be worn at or near at least one ear of a subject includes a battery, a reflective pulse oximeter, a motion sensor, an analog-to-digital convertor configured to convert analog signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor into digitized information, a speaker, a digital memory device configured to store at least one algorithm for signal processing, a transceiver, and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process data from the reflective pulse oximeter to monitor cardiopulmonary functioning of the subject, process data from the motion sensor to monitor head and body motion, execute the at least one algorithm for assessing a health state of a subject, poll the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor at certain time intervals to extend life of the battery, and process digital audio information into analog sounds to be presented to the subject via the speaker.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a band capable of at least partially encircling a portion of a body of a subject. An optical source and an optical detector are supported by the band. A first light guide is in optical communication with the optical source and a second light guide is in optical communication with the optical detector. A distal end of the first light guide is configured to deliver light from the optical source into the body, and a distal end of the second light guide is configured to collect light from the body and deliver collected light to the optical detector. The first and second light guides define respective first and second axial directions that diverge outwardly from the band such that light rays directed into the body via the first light guide cannot overlap with light rays collected by the second light guide.

Abstract: An ear worn device includes an optical source, an optical detector, and a housing supporting the optical source and optical detector. The housing is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject and includes a first light guide in optical communication with the optical source and a second light guide in optical communication with the optical detector. A distal end of the first light guide is configured to deliver light from the optical source into the ear, and a distal end of the second light guide is configured to collect light from the ear and deliver collected light to the optical detector. The first and second light guides define respective first and second axial directions that are outwardly diverging such that light rays directed into the ear via the first light guide cannot overlap with light rays collected by the second light guide.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject includes a physiological sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject, an activity sensor configured to sense physical activity information from the subject, an actuator configured to adjust stability of the monitoring device relative to the body of the subject, and a processor in communication with the activity sensor and the actuator. The processor is configured to process the physical activity information to detect a change in the physical activity of the subject and to control the at least one actuator to adjust the stability of the monitoring device relative to the body of the subject in response to detecting that a change in the physical activity of the subject has occurred.

Abstract: An earpiece module includes a plurality of sensor regions, each sensor region contoured to matingly engage a respective different region of an ear of a subject, and each sensor region including an electrode. The earpiece module is configured to detect or measure physiological information about the subject from the different ear regions via the respective electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting sensor data are provided and include collecting physiological data and meta data from a subject via a sensor system, wherein the sensor system comprises a sensor element, a signal processor, and memory in communication with the signal processor. The subject meta data is processed by the signal processor to determine metric features, the metric features are processed by the signal processor to determine a subject-specific metric statistic for the subject, and the physiological data is processed by the signal processor to generate a sensor metric. The sensor metric is then presented for display via a display.