초록 ▼

An ultrasonic monitor implemented on a PCB includes a transmission medium. The transmission medium may be biocompatible and implemented as an oil-based transmission medium, a gel pad, or a combination thereof. Ultrasonic signals are transmitted between the ultrasonic monitor and a living subject thr

An ultrasonic monitor implemented on a PCB includes a transmission medium. The transmission medium may be biocompatible and implemented as an oil-based transmission medium, a gel pad, or a combination thereof. Ultrasonic signals are transmitted between the ultrasonic monitor and a living subject through the transmission medium. An air gap is formed in the PCB underneath transducer elements to provide for more efficient signal transmission. The entire ultrasonic monitor may be encapsulated in plastic, a transmission medium, or both to provide water resistant properties.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An ultrasonic monitor comprising: an ultrasonic monitor module attached to a wrist strap, the wrist strap is adapted to be worn around a wrist of a subject, and the ultrasonic monitor module has a surface which faces the wrist; an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver provi

We claim: 1. An ultrasonic monitor comprising: an ultrasonic monitor module attached to a wrist strap, the wrist strap is adapted to be worn around a wrist of a subject, and the ultrasonic monitor module has a surface which faces the wrist; an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver provided and sealed within the ultrasonic monitor module; and a biocompatible oil-based transmission medium positioned in contact with the surface of the ultrasonic monitor module and with skin of the subject's wrist, and providing transmission of ultrasonic signals between the ultrasonic monitor module and the subject's wrist, the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium consists of natural wax and oil. 2. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the oil is a natural oil which is one or more of almond oil, aloe vera oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, calendula oil, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, rose hip oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, canola oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and vitamin E oil. 3. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the wax to a liquid in the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium, the liquid includes the oil, is between 1:1 and 1:3 so that the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium has a consistency of a balm. 4. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the surface is in a recessed portion of the ultrasonic monitor module which faces the subject's wrist and keeps the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium in place. 5. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the ultrasonic monitor module includes a protective layer which encompasses the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver; and the surface is an exposed area of the protective layer, and said biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is positioned over and in contact with the exposed area of the protective layer. 6. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is provided in an over-molding which is over-molded onto a housing of the ultrasonic monitor module, the housing encapsulates a printed circuit board on which the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver are provided. 7. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium extends entirely across the surface. 8. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium has a melting point between 50 degrees and 75 degrees Celsius, and a consistency which is defined according to a viscosity between 100,000 to 2,000,000 centipoises, and a cone-penetration of 60 to 120 , using a cone penetration measurement according to ASTM D-937. 9. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is provided as a disposable component, and extends entirely across said ultrasonic monitor module. 10. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the natural wax is one or more of beeswax, carnauba wax and candelilla wax. 11. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the oil provides fragrance. 12. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the oil acts a moisturizer for the skin. 13. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein: the oil has a healing effect on skin tissue. 14. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 13, wherein: the oil is an essential oil. 15. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the oil is a natural oil with a butter consistency at room temperature. 16. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 15, wherein the natural oil is one or more of coconut butter, cocoa butter, jojoba butter, shea butter, and lanolin. 17. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the oil is a plant based oil. 18. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the oil is petrolatum. 19. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 1, wherein the oil is mineral oil. 20. A method for monitoring a heart rate, comprising: applying a biocompatible oil-based transmission medium so that it is between, and in contact with, a surface of an ultrasonic monitor module and a subject's skin, the ultrasonic monitor module is attached to a wrist strap which is adapted to be worn around a wrist of the subject, and the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium consists of natural wax and oil; transmitting an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic monitor module through the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium to the subject's skin; receiving a reflected ultrasonic signal by the ultrasonic monitor module through the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium from the subject's skin; and processing the received ultrasonic signal. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said oil is a natural oil which is one or more of almond oil, aloe vera oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, calendula oil, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, rose hip oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, canola oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and vitamin E oil. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein: the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is applied to the ultrasonic monitor module by heating the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium to a molten state and over-molding the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium onto a housing of the ultrasonic monitor module, the housing encapsulates a printed circuit board on which an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver are provided. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein: the surface of the ultrasonic monitor module is an exposed surface of a protective layer, the protective layer encapsulates an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver provided on a printed circuit board within the ultrasonic monitor module; and the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is applied to the exposed surface of the protective layer. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is provided in, and extends from, an applicator casing, and the applying the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium comprises: using the applicator casing to apply the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium to at least one of the subject's skin and the surface of the ultrasonic monitor module. 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium is provided in a pad having a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the pad is between protective covers, and the applying the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium comprises: removing the protective covers and adhering the pad to the subject's skin and the surface of the ultrasonic monitor module. 26. An ultrasonic monitor comprising: an ultrasonic monitor module attached to a wrist strap and adapted to be worn around a wrist of a subject, the ultrasonic monitor module has a surface which faces the wrist, and the ultrasonic monitor module includes an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver sealed within the ultrasonic monitor module; a gel pad in contact with said surface of said ultrasonic monitor module; and a biocompatible oil-based transmission medium in contact with said gel pad and skin of the subject's wrist, said gel pad and said biocompatible oil-based transmission medium are arranged between said ultrasonic monitor module and the subject's skin in a path of ultrasonic signals, and the biocompatible oil-based transmission medium consists of natural wax and oil. 27. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 26, wherein said oil is a natural oil which is one more of almond oil, aloe vera oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, calendula oil, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, rose hip oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, canola oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and vitamin E oil. 28. The ultrasonic monitor of claim 26, wherein said gel pad includes a membrane layer. 29. A method for monitoring a heart rate, comprising: applying a balm to at least one of an ultrasonic monitor module and a subject's wrist skin, an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver are provided and sealed within the ultrasonic monitor module, a wrist strap is attached to the ultrasonic monitor module, the balm consists of natural wax and natural oil, the natural wax is one or more of beeswax, carnauba wax and candelilla wax; and fastening the ultrasonic monitor module to the subject's wrist using the wrist strap, so that the balm is positioned between, and in contact with, the ultrasonic monitor module and the subject's wrist skin, and so that ultrasonic signals pass through the balm. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the balm is provided in an applicator which includes a casing, and the balm extends from the casing to be directly applied to a surface, and the applying the balm comprises: using the applicator to apply the balm to the at least one of the subject's wrist skin and the ultrasonic monitor module. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein: the balm is provided in a recessed area of the ultrasonic monitor module which faces the subject's wrist skin and keeps the balm in place. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the balm is provided in a pad having a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the pad is between protective covers, and the applying the balm comprises: removing the protective covers and adhering the pad to the subject's wrist skin and the ultrasonic monitor module.