System and method for monitoring body functions

• US 20020198445A1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Dominguez
• Original Assignee: Steven Dominguez
• Inventors: Fraser, Richard D., Steibel, Dennis J., Dominguez, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 6,783,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/361 Detecting fibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A system for monitoring body functions from patients at remote locations that includes an event monitor attached to the patient including sensors attached to relevant parts of the patient for monitoring body functions. The system also includes a central monitoring station including a server having a memory attached thereto; and, a communication link between the event monitor and the central monitoring station. The method of this invention includes the steps of sensing the monitored body function by means of sensors attached to the patient. If any irregularities are detected, data indicative of the monitored body function is recorded and is automatically transmitted to the central monitoring station. The patient is located by means of GPS data; and a physician and the nearest hospital are notified. An attending physician may log onto the central monitoring station and observe real-time data received from the patient. Commands may be relayed to a medication dispensing device to aid in the immediate treatment of the patient.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring body functions of patients at remote locations, said system comprising:

a. an event monitor attached to said patient including sensors attached to relevant parts of said patient for monitoring body functions;

b. a central monitoring station including a server having a memory attached thereto; and

,

c. a communication link between said event monitor and said central monitoring station.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor is a cardiac event monitor sensing the heartbeat of said patient.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said communication link is a cell phone.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said communication link includes means for providing location data of said patient using GPS.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor includes a memory for storing relevant data about said patient.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor records the heartbeat of said patient.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor detects heartbeat arrythmia of said patient, further including means for automatically transmitting the patient heartbeat to said central monitoring station for recording and observation by medical personnel.

8. The system according to claim 7 further including means for remotely changing said sensors on said patient to record more detailed information about said heartbeat arrythmia.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein said central monitoring station includes means for a physician at a remote location to access said monitored body function of said patient.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein said central monitoring station selectively commands a medication dispensing device to administer aid to said patient.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor senses respiratory functions of said patient.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor senses glucose levels of said patient.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein said event monitor senses dialysis levels of said patient.

15. The method as in claim 14 further including said patient activating said system thereby initiating steps c through g of claim 14.

16. The method as in claim 14 wherein said sensing step includes sensing cardiac functions of said patient.

17. The method as in claim 16 including remotely changing said sensors on said patient to record more detailed information about said cardiac function of said patient.

18. The method as in claim 15 wherein said sensing step includes sensing respiratory functions of said patient.

19. The method as in claim 14 wherein said sensing step includes sensing glucose functions of said patient.

20. The method as in claim 14 wherein said sensing step includes sensing dialysis functions of said patient.

21. The method as in claim 14 further including the step of relaying commands to said event monitor and medication dispensing devices to correct said patient'"'"'s abnormality.

22. The method as in claim 14 further including the step continuously monitoring said patient for detection of further abnormalities or correction of the abnormality, which are a result of said patient'"'"'s underlying condition or as a result of medication administered to said patient by remote commands.

14. In a computer system having a server and storage therefor, a method for monitoring body functions of a mobile patient at remote locations, said method comprising:

a. sensing the monitored body function by means of sensors attached to said patient, and if any irregularities are detected;

b. recording data indicative of said monitored body function;

c. automatically transmitting said data recorded in the previous step to a central monitoring station including said server and said storage;

e. locating said patient by means of GPS data;

f. notifying a physician and nearest hospital; and

,

g. said physician logging onto said central monitoring station and observing real-time data received from said patient.