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: 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 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 apparatus includes a digital camera configured to capture a plurality of images of a region of a body of a subject, a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to sense blood flow information from the subject, and a processor in communication with the digital camera and the PPG sensor. The processor is configured to analyze a blood flow information signal from the PPG sensor and determine a heart rate frequency and/or a breathing rate frequency of the subject. The processor is also configured to analyze the plurality of images and determine whether or not a portion of the region of the body is modulating at a frequency that is similar to the heart rate frequency and/or the breathing rate frequency of the subject.

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: An optical sensor module for detecting and/or measuring physiological information that can be integrated into a wearable device, such as a headset, a wristband, a ring, etc., includes a housing supporting an optical source and an optical detector. The housing overlies the optical source and optical detector and includes a first light guide comprising light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical source and a second light guide comprising light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical detector. The first and second light guides define respective first and second axial directions that are outwardly diverging. When the sensor module is in use and placed adjacent the skin of a user, light rays emanating from the optical source and directed into the skin of the user cannot overlap with light rays returning through the skin of the user.

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: An earbud includes a speaker driver, and a sensor module secured to the speaker driver that is configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from a subject wearing the earbud. The sensor module includes a printed circuit board, an optical source secured to the printed circuit board, and an optical detector secured to the printed circuit board. A first light guide may be coupled to the optical source that is configured to deliver light from the optical source into an ear region of the subject via a distal end thereof. A second light guide may be coupled to the optical detector that is configured to collect light from the ear region via a distal end thereof and deliver collected light to the optical detector. One or more additional sensors may be secured to the speaker driver, such as accelerometers, humidity sensors, altimeters, and temperature sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a digital camera configured to capture a plurality of images of a region of a body of a subject, a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to sense blood flow information from the subject, and a processor in communication with the digital camera and the PPG sensor. The processor is configured to analyze a blood flow information signal from the PPG sensor and determine a heart rate frequency and/or a breathing rate frequency of the subject. The processor is also configured to analyze the plurality of images and determine whether or not a portion of the region of the body is modulating at a frequency that is similar to the heart rate frequency and/or the breathing rate frequency of the subject.

Abstract: An optical sensor module for detecting and/or measuring physiological information that can be integrated into a wearable device, such as a headset, a wristband, a ring, etc., includes a housing supporting an optical source and an optical detector. The housing overlies the optical source and optical detector and includes a first light guide comprising light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical source and a second light guide comprising light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical detector. The first and second light guides define respective first and second axial directions that are outwardly diverging. When the sensor module is in use and placed adjacent the skin of a user, light rays emanating from the optical source and directed into the skin of the user cannot overlap with light rays returning through the skin of the user.

Abstract: An earbud includes a speaker driver, and a sensor módule secured to the speaker driver that is configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from a subject wearing the earbud. The sensor module includes a printed circuit board, an optical source secured to the printed circuit board, and an optical detector secured to the printed circuit board. A first light guide may be coupled to the optical source that is configured to deliver light from the optical source into an ear region of the subject via a distal end thereof. A second light guide may be coupled to the optical detector that is configured to collect light from the ear region via a distal end thereof and deliver collected light to the optical detector. One or more additional sensors may be secured to the speaker driver, such as accelerometers, humidity sensors, altimeters, and temperature sensors.

Abstract: A mobile device, such as a mobile phone, includes an upper housing, a lower housing and a slideable hinge that slideably connects the upper housing with the lower housing. The slideable hinge is configured to allow the upper housing to slide along a straight line with the lower housing and to allow the upper housing to pivot relative to the lower housing. In one embodiment, the slideable hinge module may be mounted to a display of a mobile phone to allow for sliding and rotation of the display relative to the lower housing.