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: A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject includes a sensor having at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector, and a processor coupled to the sensor. The processor is configured to instruct the at least one optical emitter to emit a different wavelength of light into the body of the subject during each of a series of respective time intervals. The processor is configured to measure a respective different physiological parameter from signals produced by the at least one optical detector upon receiving light from the body of the subject during each of the respective time intervals.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject via a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to detect and/or measure PPG information from the subject includes changing, via a processor, signal analysis frequency of the PPG sensor signals, optical wavelength emission of the PPG sensor, and/or PPG sensor interrogation power at predetermined times. Each predetermined time is associated with measuring at least one different biometric parameter from a plurality of biometric parameters.

Abstract: A wearable device for detecting and/or measuring physiological information from a subject includes a housing, at least one optical emitter supported by the housing, at least one optical detector supported by the housing, a first light guide supported by the housing, a second light guide supported by the housing, a motion sensor supported by the housing, and a processor supported by the housing. The processor is configured to calculate footsteps, distinguish footsteps from heart beats, and to remove footstep motion artifacts from signals produced by the at least one optical detector. Also, the processor is configured to process signals produced by the at least one optical detector to determine subject heart rate and to produce integrity data about the subject heart rate. The process is further configured to generate a multiplexed output serial data string comprising the subject heart rate and the integrity data.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to measure physiological information from the subject, a blood flow stimulator, and a processor configured to process signals from the PPG sensor to determine a signal-to-noise level of the signals. In response to a signal-to-noise level determination, the processor is configured to instruct the blood flow stimulator to increase blood perfusion at a location where the PPG sensor is attached to the subject. The signal-to-noise level determination may be a determination that the signal-to-noise level is below a threshold level. The blood flow stimulator may be a heating element or light source configured to heat the location of the subject.

Abstract: An ear-worn device includes a speaker, an optical emitter, an optical detector, a processor, and a housing configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, wherein the housing encloses the speaker, optical emitter, optical detector, and processor. The housing includes at least one window that exposes the optical emitter and optical detector to the ear of the subject, and the housing includes at least one aperture through which sound from the speaker can pass. Light transmissive material is located between the optical emitter and the at least one window and is configured to deliver light emitted from the optical emitter to an ear region of the subject at one or more predetermined locations. Light transmissive material is positioned between the optical detector and the at least one window and is configured to collect light external to the housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to measure physiological information from the subject, a blood flow stimulator, and a processor configured to process signals from the PPG sensor to determine a confidence score of the signals. In response to a signal-to-noise level determination, the processor is configured to instruct the blood flow stimulator to increase blood perfusion at a location where the PPG sensor is attached to the subject. The confidence score is an indication of how strongly the signals can be trusted.

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: 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: 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: 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 monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, a sensing element secured to the sensor band, a second band configured to be secured to the appendage of the subject in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the sensor band, and at least one member connecting the sensor band and the second band. The sensor band has a first mass and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The sensing element is movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element, and the biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage. The biasing element decouples motion of the sensor band from the sensing element, and the at least one member decouples motion between the sensor band and the second band.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, and a sensor module secured to the band via supporting material. The band has a first Durometer value, and the supporting material has a second Durometer value that is lower than the first Durometer value. The sensor module includes a housing, and a sensor assembly disposed within the housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one energy emitter and at least one energy detector, and the housing includes at least one protrusion extending outwardly to accommodate the at least one energy emitter, and a plurality of outwardly extending stabilizing members.

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: A sensor module includes a housing and a sensor assembly disposed within the housing. The sensor assembly includes a base having at least one energy emitter and at least one energy detector, and a guide layer overlying the base in face-to-face relationship. The guide layer has at least one protrusion extending outwardly to accommodate the at least one energy emitter, and a plurality of outwardly extending stabilizing members. The housing has at least one first opening through which the at least one protrusion extends, and a plurality of second openings through which the stabilizing members extend. Some of the stabilizing members have an outwardly extending length that is greater than an outwardly extending length of the at least one protrusion. Some of the stabilizing members are substantially cylindrical and have a circular cross-sectional profile, and some of the stabilizing members are partially cylindrical and have a partially circular cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information and a processor coupled to the sensor. The sensor includes at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector. The processor receives and analyzes signals produced by the sensor, and the processor changes wavelength of light emitted by the at least one optical emitter in response to detecting a change in subject activity. For example, the processor instructs the at least one optical emitter to emit shorter wavelength light in response to detecting an increase in subject activity, and the processor instructs the at least one optical emitter to emit longer wavelength light in response to detecting an decrease in subject activity. Detecting a change in subject activity may include detecting a change in at least one subject vital sign and/or subject motion.