Method and apparatus for health and disease management combining patient data monitoring with wireless internet connectivity

• US 20010047125A1
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.), Q-Tec Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Q-Tec Systems LLC
• Inventors: Quy, Roger J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,602,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/749 Voice-controlled interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 : Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/923 : by comparison of patient data to other data

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless health monitoring system for interactively monitoring a disease or health condition of a patient by connecting an internet-enabled wireless web device (“WWD”) to a health monitoring device which may be a medical device or other health related device such as an exercise machine. The WWD may be connected to the health monitoring device directly by a wired connection to a generic input/output port of the WWD using an optional adaptor if necessary. Alternatively, the WWD may be wirelessly connected to the health monitoring device, such as via an infrared or radio frequency connection, including using protocols such as Bluetooth or 802.11. The wireless connection may also employ an adaptor if necessary. The user may also input data to the WWD manually, such as by a keypad, keyboard, stylus, or optionally by voice command.

The health related data is transmitted from the WWD to a server using standard internet protocols. The server calculates a response using a software program which may include an algorithm or artificial intelligence system, and may further provide for review by a physician or health specialist. The user may interact with the server. For example, the server transmits a response to the WWD, and the user may answer the response or provide other information.

Claims

1. A wireless health-monitoring system for monitoring a disease state or condition of a patient, comprising:

An internet-enabled wireless web device, the internet-enabled wireless web device including a first communications port having a generic input/output port and a second communications port having a circuit for wireless communications with a network, the internet-enabled wireless web device configured to store;

a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient and determined by a health parameter determining means;

A device application; and

a user interface; and

A server application, residing on a computer readable medium and disposed on a server in communication with the wireless network, for causing the server to;

Receive the determined health parameter;

Calculate a response based in part on the determined health parameter; and

Provide the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

2. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for wireless communications.

3. The system of

claim 2

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port uses radio frequency.

4. The system of

claim 3

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol.

5. The system of

claim 3

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the 802.11 protocol.

6. The system of

claim 2

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses infrared.

7. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for serial communications.

8. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for parallel communications.

9. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the internet-enabled wireless web device is selected from the group consisting of:

an internet-enabled cellular phone;

a handheld, palm, or laptop computer having an optional implemented or integral wireless capability; and

a hybrid device of a handheld computer and cellular telephone.

10. The system of

claim 9

, wherein the internet-enabled wireless web device is a personal digital assistant with a wireless capability.

11. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a medical device, the medical device including the health parameter determining means, the medical device further comprising an output port to deliver data corresponding to the health parameter.

12. The system of

claim 11

, further comprising an adaptor for connection to the output port of the medical device, the adaptor having an output to deliver data corresponding to the health parameter.

13. The system of

claim 12

, wherein the adaptor output and the generic input/output port communicate via a wired link.

14. The system of

claim 12

, wherein the adaptor output and the generic input/output port communicate via a wireless link.

15. The system of

claim 14

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the adaptor output uses radio frequency.

16. The system of

claim 15

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

17. The system of

claim 14

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the adaptor output uses infrared.

18. The system of

claim 11

, wherein the output port of the medical device and the generic input/output port communicate via a wired link.

19. The system of

claim 11

, wherein the output port of the medical device and the generic input/output port communicate via a wireless link.

20. The system of

claim 19

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the output of the medical device uses radio frequency.

21. The system of

claim 20

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

22. The system of

claim 19

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the output of the medical device uses infrared.

23. The system of

claim 11

, wherein the medical device output is in signal communication with the generic input/output port of the internet-enabled wireless web device via a medium selected from the group consisting of:

a storage device including a disk or tape, a USB connection, a phone connection, microwaves, optical techniques including lasers, manual input by a stylus, keypad, synchronization from a PC, and combinations thereof.

24. The system of

claim 12

, wherein the adaptor output is in signal communication with the generic input/output port of the internet-enabled wireless web device via a medium selected from the group consisting of:

a storage device including a disk or tape, a USB connection, a phone connection, microwaves, optical techniques including lasers, manual input by a stylus, keypad, synchronization from a PC, and combinations thereof.

25. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the server application is provided and administered by an Application Service Provider.

26. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the server application is an application employing a plurality of nodes, and wherein the device application acts as a node of the server application.

27. The system of

claim 26

, wherein the node is a node of a system selected from the group consisting of:

an algorithm, an artificial intelligence system, an expert system, a rules-based system, a case-based reasoning system, and combinations thereof.

28. The system of

claim 11

, further comprising a sensor for measuring the health parameter, the sensor having an output coupled to the medical device.

29. The system of

claim 28

, wherein the sensor is for measuring a health parameter selected from the group consisting of:

body weight, blood glucose level, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, metabolic rate, respiratory rate, cholesterol, and combinations thereof.

30. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a manual system for input of the health parameter, the manual system in signal communication with the internet-enabled wireless web device.

31. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a computer for input of supplemental health data, the computer in signal communication with the internet-enabled wireless web device or the server.

32. A wireless health-monitoring system for monitoring a disease state or condition of a patient, comprising:

An internet-enabled wireless web device, the internet-enabled wireless web device including a first communications port having a generic wireless input/output port and a second communications port having a circuit for wireless communications with a network, the internet-enabled wireless web device configured to store;

a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient and determined by a health parameter determining means;

an application; and

a user interface; and

A server application, residing on a computer readable medium and disposed on a server in communication with the wireless network, for causing the server to;

Receive the determined health parameter;

Calculate a response based in part on the determined health parameter; and

Provide the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

33. The system of

claim 32

, wherein a communications scheme employed by the generic wireless input/output port uses radio frequency.

34. The system of

claim 33

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

35. The system of

claim 32

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses infrared.

36. A method of wirelessly monitoring the disease state or condition of a patient, comprising:

Providing a user interface and application to an internet-enabled wireless web device;

Entering a health parameter to the internet-enabled wireless web device via a generic input/output port, the health parameter corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient;

Wirelessly transmitting the health parameter to a server;

Receiving the determined health parameter at the server;

Calculating a response based on the determined health parameter; and

Delivering the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

37. The method of

claim 36

, wherein the entering also includes entering a health parameter manually.

38. The method of

claim 36

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with a medical device.

39. The method of

claim 38

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with the medical device via a wired connection.

40. The method of

claim 38

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with the medical device via a wireless connection.

41. The method of

claim 40

, further comprising transferring information between the medical device and the generic input/output port using a radio frequency transmission scheme.

42. The method of

claim 41

, wherein the radio frequency transmission scheme is selected from the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

43. The method of

claim 40

, further comprising transferring information between the medical device and the generic input/output port using an infrared transmissions scheme.

44. The method of

claim 38

, wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of:

blood glucose monitors, body weight scales, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, respiratory monitors, temperature monitors, ECG monitors, and combinations thereof.

45. The method of

claim 38

, further comprising transferring information between the medical device and the generic input/output port using an adaptor.

46. The method of

claim 36

, further comprising entering supplemental health data into the server using a computer.

47. A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, containing instructions for causing a server in signal communication with the internet to:

Provide a device application and user interface to an internet-enabled wireless web device, wherein the user interface or device application contains instructions for causing the internet-enabled wireless web device to receive data from a generic input/output port;

Receive a signal corresponding to a health parameter from the internet-enabled wireless web device, the health parameter corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient;

Calculate a response based at least in part on the received signal;

Communicate the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device; and

Display features according to the response.

48. The computer program of

claim 47

, wherein the user interface or device application contains instructions for causing the internet-enabled wireless web device to receive data from the generic input/output port wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with a medical device that is selected from the group consisting of:

blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, body weight scales, heart rate monitors, respiratory monitors, temperature monitors, ECG monitors, and combinations thereof.

49. A wireless health-monitoring system for health management of a patient or subject, comprising:

An internet-enabled wireless web device, the internet-enabled wireless web device including a first communications port having a generic input/output port for connection to an exercise machine and a second communications port having a circuit for wireless communications with a network, the internet-enabled wireless web device configured to store;

a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a health, exercise, nutrition or fitness state or condition of the patient and determined by a health parameter determining means;

A device application; and

a user interface; and

A server application, residing on a computer readable medium and disposed on a server in communication with the wireless network, for causing the server to;

Receive the determined health parameter;

Calculate a response based in part on the determined health parameter; and

Provide the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

50. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for wireless communications.

51. The system of

claim 50

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port uses radio frequency.

52. The system of

claim 51

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol.

53. The system of

claim 51

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the 802.11 protocol.

54. The system of

claim 50

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses infrared.

55. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for serial communications.

56. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for parallel communications.

57. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the internet-enabled wireless web device is selected from the group consisting of:

an internet-enabled cellular phone;

a handheld, palm, or laptop computer having an optional implemented or integral wireless capability; and

a hybrid device of a handheld computer and cellular telephone.

58. The system of

claim 57

, wherein the internet-enabled wireless web device is a personal digital assistant with a wireless capability.

59. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the exercise machine includes the health parameter determining means, the exercise machine further comprising an output port to deliver data corresponding to the health parameter.

60. The system of

claim 59

, further comprising an adaptor for connection to the output port of the exercise machine, the adaptor having an output to deliver data corresponding to the health parameter.

61. The system of

claim 60

, wherein the adaptor output and the generic input/output port communicate via a wired communications scheme.

62. The system of

claim 60

, wherein the adaptor output and the generic input/output port communicate via a wireless communications scheme.

63. The system of

claim 62

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the adaptor output uses radio frequency.

64. The system of

claim 63

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

65. The system of

claim 62

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the adaptor output uses infrared.

66. The system of

claim 59

, wherein the output port of the exercise machine and the generic input/output port communicate via a wired communications scheme.

67. The system of

claim 59

, wherein the output port of the exercise machine and the generic input/output port communicate via a wireless communications scheme.

68. The system of

claim 67

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the output of the exercise machine uses radio frequency.

69. The system of

claim 68

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

70. The system of

claim 67

, wherein a wireless communications scheme employed by the generic input/output port and the output of the exercise machine uses infrared.

71. The system of

claim 59

, wherein the exercise machine output port is in signal communication with the generic input/output port of the internet-enabled wireless web device via a medium selected from the group consisting of:

a storage device including a disk or tape, a USB connection, a phone connection, microwaves, optical techniques including lasers, manual input by a stylus, keypad, synchronization from a PC, and combinations thereof.

72. The system of

claim 60

, wherein the adaptor output is in signal communication with the generic input/output port of the internet-enabled wireless web device via a medium selected from the group consisting of:

a storage device including a disk or tape, a USB connection, a phone connection, microwaves, optical techniques including lasers, manual input by a stylus, keypad, synchronization from a PC, and combinations thereof.

73. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the server application is provided and administered by an Application Service Provider.

74. The system of

claim 49

, wherein the server application is an application employing a plurality of nodes, and wherein the device application acts as a node of the server application.

75. The system of

claim 74

, wherein the node is a node of a system selected from the group consisting of:

an algorithm, an artificial intelligence system, an expert system, a rules-based system, a case-based reasoning system, and combinations thereof.

76. The system of

claim 49

, further comprising a sensor for measuring the health parameter, the sensor having an output coupled to the exercise machine.

77. The system of

claim 76

, wherein the sensor is for measuring a health parameter selected from the group consisting of:

body weight, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, metabolic rate, amount of work performed, rate of work performed, cholesterol, and combinations thereof.

78. The system of

claim 49

, further comprising a manual system for input of the health parameter, the manual system in signal communication with the internet-enabled wireless web device.

79. The system of

claim 49

, further comprising a computer for input of supplemental health data, the computer in signal communication with the internet-enabled wireless web device or the server.

80. A wireless health-monitoring system for health management of a patient or subject, comprising:

An internet-enabled wireless web device, the internet-enabled wireless web device including a first communications port having a generic wireless input/output port and a second communications port having a circuit for wireless communications with a network, the internet-enabled wireless web device configured to store;

a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a fitness, nutrition, health, or exercise state or condition of a patient and determined by a health parameter determining means;

an application; and

a user interface; and

A server application, residing on a computer readable medium and disposed on a server in communication with the wireless network, for causing the server to;

Receive the determined health parameter;

Calculate a response based in part on the determined health parameter; and

Provide the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

81. The system of

claim 80

, wherein a communications scheme employed by the generic wireless input/output port uses radio frequency.

82. The system of

claim 81

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

83. The system of

claim 80

, wherein the wireless communications scheme employed by the generic wireless input/output port uses infrared.

84. A method of wirelessly monitoring the health state or condition of a patient or subject, comprising:

Providing a user interface and application to an internet-enabled wireless web device;

Entering a health parameter from an exercise machine to the internet-enabled wireless web device via a generic input/output port, the health parameter corresponding to a health, nutrition, fitness or exercise state or condition of a patient;

Wirelessly transmitting the health parameter to a server;

Receiving the determined health parameter at the server;

Calculating a response based on the determined health parameter; and

Delivering the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device.

85. The method of

claim 84

, wherein the entering also includes entering a health parameter manually.

86. The method of

claim 84

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with the exercise machine.

87. The method of

claim 86

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with the exercise machine via a wired connection.

88. The method of

claim 86

, wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with the exercise machine via a wireless connection.

89. The method of

claim 88

, further comprising transferring information between the exercise machine and the generic input/output port using a radio frequency transmission scheme.

90. The method of

claim 89

, wherein the radio frequency transmissions scheme is selected from the Bluetooth protocol or the 802.11 protocol.

91. The method of

claim 88

, further comprising transferring information between the exercise machine and the generic input/output port using an infrared transmission scheme.

92. The method of

claim 84

, wherein the exercise machine is selected from the group consisting of:

treadmills, rowers, steppers, exercise cycles, other aerobic exercisers, body weight scales, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, temperature monitors, and combinations thereof.

93. The method of

claim 84

, further comprising transferring information between the exercise machine and the generic input/output port using an adaptor.

94. The method of

claim 84

, further comprising entering supplemental health data into the server using a computer.

95. A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, containing instructions for causing a server in signal communication with the internet to:

Provide a device application and user interface to an internet-enabled wireless web device, wherein the user interface or device application contains instructions for causing the internet-enabled wireless web device to receive data from a generic input/output port;

Receive a signal corresponding to a health parameter from the internet-enabled wireless web device, the health parameter corresponding to a health, fitness, nutrition or exercise state or condition of a patient;

Calculate a response based at least in part on the received signal;

Communicate the response to the internet-enabled wireless web device; and

Display features according to the response.

96. The computer program of

claim 95

, wherein the user interface or device application contains instructions for causing the internet-enabled wireless web device to receive data from the generic input/output port wherein the generic input/output port is in signal communication with a exercise machine that is selected from the group consisting of:

treadmills, exercise cycles, steppers, rowers other aerobic exercisers, blood pressure monitors, body weight scales, heart rate monitors, temperature monitors, and combinations thereof.

97. A internet-enabled wireless web device for monitoring health, the internet-enabled wireless web device connected in wireless communication with a server running an application, comprising:

A web-enabled cellular phone running an application, the application functioning to accept inputs from a first communications port and a second communications port, the first communications port including a generic input/output port and the second communications port including a wireless link to a network, the generic input/output port for receipt of a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a patient'"'"'s disease state or condition, or to a patient'"'"'s health, nutrition, fitness or exercise state or condition.

98. A internet-enabled wireless web device for monitoring health, the internet-enabled wireless web device connected in wireless communication with a server running an application, comprising:

A personal digital assistant with wireless connectivity running an application, the application functioning to accept inputs from a first communications port and a second communications port, the first communications port including a generic input/output port and the second communications port including a wireless link to a network, the generic input/output port for receipt of a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a patient'"'"'s disease state or condition, or to a patient'"'"'s health, nutrition, fitness or exercise state or condition.

100. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port employs a wireless communications scheme, and wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses radio frequency.

101. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port employs a wireless communications scheme, and wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the Bluetooth protocol.

102. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port employs a wireless communications scheme, and wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses the 802.11 protocol.

103. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port employs a wireless communications scheme, and wherein the wireless communications scheme employed uses infrared.

104. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for serial communications.

105. The system of

claim 98

, wherein the generic input/output port includes a port for parallel communications.

99. A internet-enabled wireless web device for monitoring health, the internet-enabled wireless web device connected in wireless communication with a server running an application, comprising:

A hybrid handheld computer and cellular telephone combination running an application, the application functioning to accept inputs from a first communications port and a second communications port, the first communications port including a generic input/output port and the second communications port including a wireless link to a network, the generic input/output port for receipt of a health parameter, the health parameter corresponding to a patient'"'"'s disease state or condition, or to a patient'"'"'s health, nutrition, fitness or exercise state or condition.