Method and apparatus for monitoring biological properties

• US 20020123671A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter (I) D. Haaland
• Original Assignee: Peter (I) D. Haaland
• Inventors: Haaland, Peter D.
• Application Number:
  US09/945,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/726 using Wavelet transforms

Abstract

A delocalized apparatus for monitoring a biological property in an individual or group of individuals is provided, and includes one or more user terminals having an input port and a user interface, a transducer associated with each user terminal and coupled to the user terminal input port, a controller, and a bidirectional link from the transducer to the controller. A single controller can be used to process data received from multiple transducers, allowing a biological property in a group of individuals to be monitored.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a biological property, comprising:

(a) collecting a biological input at a user terminal;

(b) converting the biological input into a first signal in a transducer associated with the user terminal;

(c) transmitting the first signal over a bidirectional link to a controller;

(d) processing the first signal in the controller and generating a second signal;

(e) transmitting the second signal over the bidirectional link to the user terminal; and

(f) converting the second signal into a human-discernible message at the user terminal.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological input comprises a biological specimen.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the biological specimen is blood.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the biological specimen is urine.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the biological specimen is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, tears, sweat, semen, vaginal swab extract, throat swab extract, sputum, mucous, and breath.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological input comprises a physiological signal, image, or response.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the physiological signal, image, or response comprises an acoustic signal, a photographic image, a light reflection, a reflected acoustic wave, pressure, an exhalation, or an inhalation.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bidirectional link comprises a telephone line, an optical fiber, a cellular phone link, a coaxial cable, a wireless internet link, an infrared data link, a radio frequency link, or a bidirectional satellite pager.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second signals are, independently, an electric signal, a magnetic signal, or an optical signal.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user terminal comprises an input port and a user interface.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises one or more of a computer screen, a key pad, a mouse or other cursor control device, a speaker, and a microphone.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises a computer screen, a key pad, and a mouse or other curser control device.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the input port is configured to receive a biological specimen.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the input port is configured to receive a physiological signal.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises at least one server.

16. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the human-discernible message comprises an on-screen message, an audio message, or both an on-screen message and an audio message.

17. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(g) collecting a second biological input at the user terminal;

(h) converting the second biological input into a third signal;

(i) transmitting the third signal over the bidirectional link to the controller;

(j) processing the third signal in the controller and generating a fourth signal;

(k) transmitting the fourth signal over the bidirectional link to the user terminal; and

(l) converting the fourth signal into a human-discernible message at the user terminal.

20. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is blood glucose concentration and the biological input is a blood specimen.

21. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is hCG level and the biological input is a blood or urine specimen.

22. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is bacteria level and identity and the biological input is a specimen selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, tears, sweat, semen, vaginal swab extract, throat swab extract, sputum, and mucous.

23. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is pulmonary function and the biological input is one or more exhalations and/or inhalations.

24. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is auscultation and the biological input is an acoustic signal.

25. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is nevi morphology and the biological input is a photographic image.

26. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is refractive error and the biological input is a light reflection.

27. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is intraocular pressure and the biological input is an acoustic or electromagnetic radiation reflection.

28. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biological property is auditory response and the biological input is a user'"'"'s activation of a keypad or cursor control device.

18. A delocalized apparatus for monitoring a biological property, comprising:

(a) a user terminal comprising an input port and a user interface;

(b) a transducer coupled to the input port;

(c) a bidirectional link coupled to the transducer; and

(d) a controller coupled to the bidirectional link;

wherein, the user terminal and controller have geographically distinct locations;

the transducer is capable of converting a biological input collected at the user terminal into a first signal;

the controller is capable of processing the first signal, generating a second signal, and causing the second signal to be transmitted over the bidirectional link to the user terminal; and

the user terminal is capable of converting the second signal into a human-discernible message.

19. A method for monitoring a biological property in a group of individuals, comprising:

(a) collecting a biological input at each of a plurality of user terminals;

(b) converting each biological input into a first signal in a unique transducer associated with each of the user terminals;

(c) transmitting each first signal over a unique bidirectional link to a controller;

(d) processing all of the first signals in the controller and generating a plurality of second signals;

(e) transmitting a second signal over each unique bidirectional link to each user terminal; and

(f) converting each second signal into a human-discernible message at each user terminal.