When red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and fluids of the baby's body. Presently, there is no point-of-care system available to measure the baby’s bilirubin level at home, at certain pre-defined intervals. The patent proposes a method to monitor bilirubin levels at home without using invasive techniques.
An environmental monitoring company, building a personal portable air monitoring sensor system, and industrial scale air monitoring systems that can collect air quality data (both gaseous and particulate pollutants) to help urban planners plan traffic, industrial plant locations, etc. and air purifiers for rooftops and for personal use. They're also building a Pneumonia Screening Device and a UV-C Disinfection System.
<p><strong>Problem statement:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/hyperbilirubinemia-and-jaundice#:~:text=Hyperbilirubinemia%20is%20a%20condition%20in,the%20first%20week%20of%20life.">Hyperbilirubinemia</a> is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood. Severe hyperbilirubinemia can lead to acute bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus. <strong>Total serum bilirubin</strong> is commonly determined by spectrophotometric methods by analysing plasma or serum sample. </p>
<p>Checking bilirubin levels after birth at pre-defined intervals involves multiple needle pricks. Presently, there is no point-of-care system available to measure the baby’s bilirubin level at home, at certain pre-defined intervals.</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p><em>This patent proposes a method to measure the bilirubin levels in babies using a wrist wearable device and efficiently monitor the parameters at home without human intervention.</em></p>
<p><strong>Key takeaways</strong> of the patent:</p>
<p>1. A <strong>wearable wrist device</strong> is provided for measuring bilirubin levels non-invasively. It is housed in a waterproof/splashproof body.</p>
<p>2. The <strong>visible light radiations</strong> of multiple wavelengths and infrared light is used to detect and measure different parameters such as melanin, oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin, glycated haemoglobin, bilirubin, water and albumin.</p>
<p>3. A display unit is provided in the device which displays the <strong>current level of bilirubin</strong> at certain pre-defined intervals in real-time, along with the <strong>degree of severity</strong>.</p>
<p>4. A <strong>learning module</strong> is configured to analyse the effectiveness of an ongoing therapy at the current settings and recommend the best settings and automatically <strong>change phototherapy settings without human intervention</strong>;</p>
2
Wearable device
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the wearable wrist device.
1
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the wearable wrist device.
Wearable biocompatible, adjustable and detachable strap 104.
5
Wearable biocompatible, adjustable and detachable strap 104.
The feedback through the wireless connectivity facilitator 102 may be transmitted to an application on a handheld device, a compatible phototherapy unit and to a central nursing station.
4
The feedback through the wireless connectivity facilitator 102 may be transmitted to an application on a handheld device, a compatible phototherapy unit and to a central nursing station.
Display Unit 101.
3
Display Unit 101.
The bilirubin and temperature measuring module 100 comprises of light emitting sources, a microprocessor, photodetectors and a filter.
2
The bilirubin and temperature measuring module 100 comprises of light emitting sources, a microprocessor, photodetectors and a filter.
<p><strong>FIG. 1</strong> shows a diagram of the wearable wrist device for measuring bilirubin levels.</p>
3
Wearable device (bottom view)
Battery and charging unit 201.
4
Battery and charging unit 201.
Photodetectors 202 detect, collect and amplify the reflected light from a patient’s body.
3
Photodetectors 202 detect, collect and amplify the reflected light from a patient’s body.
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the wearable device.
1
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the wearable device.
Light-emitting source 203 emits visible light radiations of multiple wavelengths and infrared light. The different wavelengths are used to measure different parameters such as melanin, oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin, bilirubin, water and albumin.
2
Light-emitting source 203 emits visible light radiations of multiple wavelengths and infrared light. The different wavelengths are used to measure different parameters such as melanin, oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin, bilirubin, water and albumin.
<p><strong>FIG. 2</strong> shows a diagram of the bottom view of the wearable device to measure bilirubin levels.</p>
<p>The bilirubin and temperature measuring module comprises light-emitting sources <strong>203</strong> that emit visible light radiations of multiple wavelengths and infrared light.</p>
<p>The wearable biocompatible strap <strong>104 </strong>(Figure 1) is adjustable and detachable and is configured to mount the device on a patient, with the said biocompatible strap being single-use or multi-use.</p>
<p>The display unit <strong>101 </strong>(Figure 1) comprises an indicator light that is disposed on a top portion of the device, and displays the current level of bilirubin at certain pre-defined intervals in real-time, along with the degree of severity.</p>
<p>The learning module is configured to analyse the measured bilirubin levels at the current settings and recommend the best settings, thereby facilitating the changing of phototherapy settings without human intervention.</p>
<p>The battery and charging unit <strong>201</strong> comprise a rechargeable battery. Switch <strong>103 </strong>(Figure 1) is used for powering the device on or off.</p>
4
Bilirubin monitoring process
Bilirubin and body temperature are measured and shown on the display unit.
2
Bilirubin and body temperature are measured and shown on the display unit.
The therapeutic unit uses algorithms to control the target system.
4
The therapeutic unit uses algorithms to control the target system.
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the bilirubin detecting and monitoring process.
1
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the bilirubin detecting and monitoring process.
Measured data is transmitted via wireless connection to mobile device, nursing station or therapeutic unit.
3
Measured data is transmitted via wireless connection to mobile device, nursing station or therapeutic unit.
<p><strong>FIG. 3</strong> shows a flowchart of the bilirubin detection, measurement and monitoring process.</p>
5
Understanding the claims
<p><strong>Primary claim</strong> of the patent:</p>
<p>1. A device (300) for the continuous and real-time monitoring of bilirubin, ( @@h2 )<br>
comprising:<br>
a housing that encloses a waterproof/splash proof body, said body <br>
comprising: a bilirubin and temperature measuring module (100) that comprises: ( @@h2 )<br>
one or more light emitting sources (203) that emit visible light <br>
radiations of multiple wavelengths and infrared light, said multiple wavelengths ranging between 350 nm and 1,200 nm, with the wavelength of at least one light radiation corresponding to the isosbestic point of bilirubin absorption; ( @@h3 )<br>
a microprocessor that is configured to monitor and control the functioning of the device (300); <br>
one or more photodetectors to detect, collect, and amplify the reflected light from a patient’s body, said one or more photodetectors (202) being disposed in close proximity to the one or more light emitting sources (203), and being separated from the one or more light emitting sources (203) by a blocking channel; ( @@h3 )<br>
a filter that removes unwanted noise, and an analogue to digital converter, the output of which is processed to get the bilirubin level in real-time; <br>
a wearable biocompatible strap (104) that is adjustable and detachable, said biocompatible strap (104) being configured to mount the device (300) on a patient, with said biocompatible strap (104) being single use or multi-use; ( @@h2 )<br>
a buckle (205); ( @@h3 )<br>
a display unit (101) comprising an indicator light that is disposed on a top portion of the device (300), said display unit (101) displaying the current level of bilirubin at certain pre-defined intervals in real-time, along with the degree of severity, with said indicator light being a low intensity light which doesn’t cause any biological damage to tissues, or does not interfere with a phototherapy unit; ( @@h2 )<br>
a safety module; <br>
a learning module that is configured to analyse the effectiveness of an ongoing therapy at the current settings and recommend the best settings, thereby facilitating the changing of phototherapy settings without human intervention; <br>
a battery and charging unit (201) that comprises a rechargeable battery; ( @@h3 )<br>
a switch for powering the device on or off (103); ( @@h2 )<br>
and a wireless connectivity facilitator (102) that facilitates the device (300) to provide feedback in real-time based on measured bilirubin concentration and body temperature to a central nursing station, a compatible phototherapy unit, an application on a handheld device and/or an application on a wearable device ( @@h2 ).</p>
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