CLIAMS: CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A self-powered sensor module for monitoring muscle activity, the sensor module comprising of
at least one electrode configured for detecting muscle activity, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level;
a power unit configured for stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level;
a Battery Management System (BMS) configured for charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level; and
a data module configured for using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode.
2. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-powered sensor module is printed using an IC (Integrated Circuit) printing technique.
3. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power unit is configured to use two step-up transformers.
4. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the power unit is configured for
stepping-up the detected voltage level to an intermediate voltage level; and
stepping-up the intermediate voltage level to the pre-defined voltage level.
5. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.
6. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BMS is further configured for monitoring charging and discharging of the battery.
7. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data module is configured to store the data in a memory, wherein the data may be at least one of an internal memory; and an external memory.
8. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module is configured for transferring the stored data to a base unit, on the sensor module being connected to the base unit.
9. A method for monitoring muscle activity using a self-powered sensor module, the sensor module comprising of at least one electrode, a power unit, a Battery Management System (BMS) and a data module, the method comprising of
detecting muscle activity by the at least one electrode, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level;
stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level by the power unit;
charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level by the BMS; and
using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode by the data module.
10. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power unit uses two step-up transformers.
11. The method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further comprises of
stepping-up the detected voltage level to an intermediate voltage level by the power unit; and
stepping-up the intermediate voltage level to the pore-defined voltage level by the power unit.
12. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the BMS monitors charging and discharging of the battery.
13. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data module stores the data in a memory, wherein the data may be at least one of an internal memory; and an external memory.
14. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor module transfers the stored data to a base unit, on the sensor module being connected to the base unit.
Date: 31st day of January, 2014 Signature:

Vikram Pratap Singh Thakur
(Patent Agent) ,TagSPECI:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“Powering a memory data module using electrical activity of muscles”

APPLICANT:

Name : HCL Technologies Limited

Nationality : Indian

Address : HCL Technologies Ltd
AMB 3.64-66,South Phase,II Main road,
Ambattur Industrial estate,Chennai-58

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly to a self-powered device for monitoring muscle activity.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] Electromyography (EMG) is the study of muscles by measuring the electrical activity of the muscle, wherein a device capable of measuring EMG activity is used to record the electrical activity. The EMG device may use an invasive electrode, wherein the invasive electrode is placed inside the muscle. The EMG device may also use an external electrode, wherein the external electrode is placed on the surface of the skin area above the muscle location. The electrode is connected to a display unit, which reads the voltage/current caused by the electrical activity and displays the voltage/current. Based on the measured electrical activity of the muscle, the health of the muscles may be checked.
[003] Currently, the electrodes may be connected to the display unit using at least one wired connection. In some cases, more than one electrode may be required to be used. This may result in one or more wires being present, which may cause inconvenience (as the wires may get entangled if the patient moves around a lot and hence a restriction has to be placed on the freedom of movement of the patient), time consuming (as the patient is unable to perform any tasks while the EMG device is in operation) and so on.
[004] Currently, there are EMG devices where the electrodes use a battery for powering itself and a wireless communication means to communicate with the display unit. However, in such cases, the wireless communication means and battery may make the electrode bulky and the patient may not find it convenient to keep the electrode attached for a long duration. Also, the battery and wireless communication means may make such devices costly. Also, the battery may need to be re-charged at frequent intervals. The battery life may also be affected by the presence of the wireless communication means.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[005] The principal object of this invention is to propose a self-powered sensor which extracts its energy from the electrical activity of the muscles.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[006] Accordingly the invention provides a self-powered sensor module for monitoring muscle activity, the sensor module comprising of at least one electrode configured for detecting muscle activity, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level; a power unit configured for stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level; a Battery Management System (BMS) configured for charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level; and a data module configured for using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode.
[007] Also, provided herein is a method for monitoring muscle activity using a self-powered sensor module, the sensor module comprising of at least one electrode, a power unit, a Battery Management System (BMS) and a data module, the method comprising of detecting muscle activity by the at least one electrode, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level; stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level by the power unit; charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level by the BMS; and using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode by the data module.
[008] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[009] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a sensor module connected to a human body and a base unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a sensor module, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3a depicts a power unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3b is an example illustration of a power unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a Battery Management System, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a data module, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is flowchart illustrating the process of a device powering itself using muscle activity, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a self-powered sensor which extracts its energy from the electrical activity of the muscles. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a sensor module connected to a human body and a base unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 1 depicts a sensor module 101 placed on the body of a user. The sensor module 101 comprises of a sensor which may detect electrical activity in the human body. In an example, the electrical activity may be generated by activities of the body such as muscle activity. The sensor may be at least one of an EMG (electromyography) sensor, an ECG (Electrocardiography) sensor, an EEG (Electroencephalography) sensor or an EGEG (Electrogastroenterography) sensor or any other sensor which may be used to detect electrical activity in the human body. The sensor module 101 may be placed in a location where electrical activity may be detected in the body of the user. In an example, the figure depicts the sensor module 101 being placed on the thighs, wherein the sensor module 101 detects the electrical activity of the muscles placed in the thigh.
[0020] The sensor module 101 may be connected to a base unit 102. The base unit 102 may be a computing device (desktop, laptop, tablet and so on), a dedicated device configured for receiving/storing information from the sensor module 101 and displaying the information or any other device capable of receiving/storing information. The base unit 102 may further process information received from the sensor module 101, before displaying the processed information and/or the received information. The connection between the sensor module 101 and the base unit 102 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. The connection between the sensor module 101 and the base unit 102 may be connected as required. The connection may be used to transfer data between the sensor module 101 and the base unit 102.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a sensor module, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The sensor module 101, as depicted, comprises of at least one electrode 201, a power unit 202, a Battery Management System (BMS) 203 and a data module 204. The electrode 201 is configured for detecting the electrical activity in the body of the user. The electrode 201 may be configured to send information related to the detected electrical activity to the data module 204. The electrode 201 may be further configured to send information related to the detected electrical activity to the power unit 202. The information may comprise of voltage/current levels of the detected electrical activity and so on.
[0022] On receiving the voltage levels from the electrode 201, the power unit 202 step-ups the voltage levels to a pre-defined voltage level. The pre-defined voltage level may be determined by the voltage levels received from the electrode 201 and the design of the power unit 202. The pre-defined voltage level may be of a level sufficient enough, as required to operate the BMS 203 and the data module 204.
[0023] The pre-defined voltage levels are provided to the BMS 203. The BMS 203 uses the pre-defined voltage levels to charge a battery. The BMS 203 is configured to monitor the status of the battery, the charging of the battery, the discharging of the battery and so on.
[0024] The BMS 203, on detecting, that the data module 204 requires power, supplies power to the data module 204. The data module 204 may require power, on receiving data from the electrode 201. The BMS 203 may supply power to the data module 204 from the battery. The BMS 203 may supply power to the data module 204 directly, from the pre-defined voltage levels.
[0025] The data module 204 stores the data received from the electrode 201. The data module 204 may use power received from the BMS 203. The data module 203 may transfer the stored data to the base unit 102, on the data module 203 being connected to the base unit 102.
[0026] The connections in the sensor module 101 may be created using a material with very high conductance. The material used herein may be silver.
[0027] The sensor module 101 may occupy a small area. The sensor module 101 may be created using a suitable IC (Integrated Circuit) printing technique.
[0028] FIG. 3a depicts a power unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The power unit 202, as depicted, comprises of a plurality of step-up transformers. In an embodiment herein, the power unit 202 may comprise of two step-up transformers.
[0029] The power unit 202, on receiving the detected voltage from the electrode 202, steps up the detected voltage to an intermediate voltage level using the first step-up transformer. The intermediate voltage level is stepped up to the pre-defined voltage level by the second step-up transformer.
[0030] The intermediate voltage level may depend on at least one of the detected voltage and the turns ratio of the first step-up transformer. The pre-defined voltage level may depend on at least one of the detected voltage, the intermediate voltage level and the turn ratio of the second step-up transformer. The pre-defined voltage level may be of the order of volts, wherein the pre-defined voltage level may be sufficient for the operation of the BMS 203 and the data module 204.
[0031] The power unit 202 may use a plurality of transformers for performing the step-up operation.
[0032] FIG. 3b is an example illustration of a power unit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. FIG. 3b depicts two 1:10 step-up transformers connected in series. Consider that the detected voltage of 50 mV is input to the first step-up transformer. The first step-up transformer steps-up 50mV to 0.5V. The second step-up transformer steps-up the 0.5V to 5V, wherein the 5V is sufficient for the operation of the BMS 203 and the data module 204.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a Battery Management System, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The BMS 203, as depicted, comprises of a BMS controller 401, a battery 402, a BMS communication interface 403 and an indicator 404. The BMS communication interface 403 enables the BMS 203 to communicate with the power unit 202 and the data module 204. The indicator may be at least one of a visual and audio indicator, wherein the indicator 404 may be used to denote the state of charge of the BMS 203, if the sensor module 101 is charging and so on. In an example, the indicator 404 may use a LED light which will glow red, when the charge of the battery 402 is low. In another example, the indicator 404 may use a LED light which will glow green, when the battery 402 is completely charged. The battery 402 may be a rechargeable battery and may be of any suitable type such as Nickel-cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-MetalHydride (NiMH), Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) and so on.
[0034] The BMS controller 401 receives the pre-defined voltage levels from the power unit, through the BMS communication interface 403. The BMS controller 401 uses the pre-defined voltage levels to charge the battery 402. The BMS controller 401 monitors the status of the battery, the charging of the battery, the discharging of the battery and so on. The BMS controller 401 makes the indicator 404 to provide appropriate indications, according to the state of charge of the battery 402, if the battery 402 is charging and so on.
[0035] The BMS controller 401, on receiving a request from the data module 204 through the BMS communication interface 403 for power, supplies power to the data module 204. The BMS controller 401 may supply power to the data module 204 from the battery 402. The BMS controller 401 may supply power to the data module 204 directly, from the pre-defined voltage levels. The BMS controller 401 may cut-off the power supply to the data module 204, on the charge of the battery 402 going below a pre-defined charge threshold. The pre-defined threshold may be configurable and may be defined by an authorized person such as a medical practitioner, an operator of the sensor device 101 and so on.
[0036] FIG. 5 depicts a data module, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The data module 204, as depicted, comprises of a data controller 501, a memory 502 and a communication interface 503. The communication interface 503 enables the data module 204 to communicate with the BMS 203. The communication interface 503 also enables the sensor module 101 to communicate with the base unit 102. The communication interface 503 may use a suitable means such as a wired means or a wireless means to communicate with the base unit 102. The communication means may use a hardware port such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a mini USB port, a micro USB port, a HDMI (High definition Multimedia Interface) port, a serial port or any other suitable means to enable a connection to be made with the base unit 102. The communication interface 503 may also enable an authorized person to configure the sensor module 101. The memory 502 may be a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory or any other suitable type of memory. The memory may be an internal memory present internal to the sensor module 101. The memory 502 may also be an external memory, wherein the external memory may use a suitable means such as a SD (Secure Digital) card, a micro SD card and so on.
[0037] On the data controller 501 receiving an indication that the data controller 501 is going to receive data from the electrode 201, the data controller 501 sends a request for power to the BMS 203, through the communication interface 503. Using the power received from the BMS 203, the data controller 501 stores the data received from the electrode 201 in the memory 502. The data controller 501 may store the data in the internal memory and/or the external memory. The data controller 501 may include a time stamp in the data being saved. The time stamp may indicate the time when the data was stored in the memory 502. The time stamp may also indicate the time when the data was received from the electrode 201.
[0038] The data controller 501 may provide an indication on the memory 502 being full. The data controller 501 may provide an indication using a suitable means such as a combination of audio and/or visual indications. The indications may be provided using the indicator 404. The data controller 501 may over-write existing data, wherein the data controller 501 overwrites the oldest data first. The data controller 501 may halt writing data received from the electrode 201, on the memory 502 becoming full and provide an indication using the indicator 404.
[0039] On the data controller 501 detecting a connection to the base unit 102, the data controller 501 may transfer the data from the memory 502 to the base unit 102. On copying the data to the base unit 102, the data controller 501 may delete the data from the memory 502. On copying the data to the base unit 102, the data controller 501 may retain the data in the memory 502.
[0040] On not receiving power from the BMS 203, the data controller 501 may place the data module 204 in a sleep mode. On receiving power from the BMS 203 again, the data controller 501 may bring the data module 204 out of sleep mode and starts data from the electrode into the memory 502.
[0041] FIG. 6 is flowchart illustrating the process of a device powering itself using muscle activity, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The electrode 201 detects (601) the electrical activity in the body of the user. The electrode 201 sends (602) information related to the detected electrical activity to the data module 204. The electrode 201 also sends (603) information related to the detected electrical activity to the power unit 202. On receiving the voltage levels from the electrode 201, the power unit 202 step-ups (604) the voltage levels to a pre-defined voltage level. The pre-defined voltage levels are provided (605) to the BMS 203. The BMS 203 charges (606) the battery using the pre-defined voltage levels. The BMS 203, on detecting, that the data module 204 requires power, supplies (607) power to the data module 204. The data module 204 stores (608) the data received from the electrode 201. The various actions in method 600 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 6 may be omitted.
[0042] Embodiments disclosed herein enable recording of muscle activity for a long duration of time (such as holter recordings), as the embodiments disclosed herein enable a small portable means for recording muscle activity.
[0043] Embodiments disclosed herein reduce the dependency on wired connections to the base unit for real time transmission of the data. Also, embodiments herein enable use of one base unit for multiple patients.
[0044] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0045] The embodiment disclosed herein describes a self-powered sensor which extracts its energy from the electrical activity of the muscles. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in a preferred embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0046] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A self-powered sensor module for monitoring muscle activity, the sensor module comprising of
at least one electrode configured for detecting muscle activity, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level;
a power unit configured for stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level;
a Battery Management System (BMS) configured for charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level; and
a data module configured for using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode.
2. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-powered sensor module is printed using an IC (Integrated Circuit) printing technique.
3. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power unit is configured to use two step-up transformers.
4. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the power unit is configured for
stepping-up the detected voltage level to an intermediate voltage level; and
stepping-up the intermediate voltage level to the pre-defined voltage level.
5. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.
6. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the BMS is further configured for monitoring charging and discharging of the battery.
7. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data module is configured to store the data in a memory, wherein the data may be at least one of an internal memory; and an external memory.
8. The self-powered sensor module, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module is configured for transferring the stored data to a base unit, on the sensor module being connected to the base unit.
9. A method for monitoring muscle activity using a self-powered sensor module, the sensor module comprising of at least one electrode, a power unit, a Battery Management System (BMS) and a data module, the method comprising of
detecting muscle activity by the at least one electrode, wherein the detected muscle activity is in form of voltage level;
stepping-up detected voltage level to a pre-defined voltage level by the power unit;
charging a battery using said pre-defined voltage level by the BMS; and
using energy stored in the battery for storing data received from the electrode by the data module.
10. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power unit uses two step-up transformers.
11. The method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further comprises of
stepping-up the detected voltage level to an intermediate voltage level by the power unit; and
stepping-up the intermediate voltage level to the pore-defined voltage level by the power unit.
12. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the BMS monitors charging and discharging of the battery.
13. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data module stores the data in a memory, wherein the data may be at least one of an internal memory; and an external memory.
14. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor module transfers the stored data to a base unit, on the sensor module being connected to the base unit.
Date: 31st day of January, 2014 Signature:

Vikram Pratap Singh Thakur
(Patent Agent)
ABSTRACT
Powering a memory data module using electrical activity of muscles. This invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly to a self-powered device for monitoring muscle activity. The principal object of this invention is to propose a self-powered sensor which extracts its energy from the electrical activity of the muscles.

FIG. 6