Bio-information sensor monitoring system and method

• US 20040236189A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Iiams, Michael Leonard, Hawthorne, Jeffrey Scott, Stoll, Richard A., Tubb, Glenn Charles, Shoffner, Gary Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,311,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A bio-information monitoring system passively monitors a patient with a remote portable bio-information unit that takes various bio-information measurements at selected time intervals as well as at random times without patient intervention. The measurements are converted to digital signals which are transmitted from the bio-information unit to a modem when the bio-information unit is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring network. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring network to a treatment provider. The treatment provider may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Claims

1. (Canceled)

2. A system for continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject comprising:

a bio-information unit attached to the human subject, wherein said bio-information unit takes a plurality of bio-sensor readings at predetermined times without active participation by the human subject;

a bio-information modem in communication with said bio-information unit, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are communicated from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals through radio frequency signals;

a bio-information network in communication with said bio-information modem, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are communicated from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network at predetermined time intervals through a first communication link, and further wherein said bio-information network analyzes said plurality of bio-sensor readings to determine if an alert condition exists; and

a treatment provider in communication with said bio-information network, wherein said bio-information network communicates an alert to said treatment provider through a second communication link when said alert condition exists.

3. The system according to claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of bio-information units each of which is attached to a one of a plurality of human subjects, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information units takes a plurality of bio-sensor readings at predetermined times without active participation by said plurality of human subjects;

a plurality of bio-information modems, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is paired with and in communication with a one of said plurality of bio-information units attached to said one of a plurality of human subjects, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information units to its paired said plurality of bio-information modems at predetermined time intervals through a plurality of radio frequency signals, and further wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is in communication with said bio-information network wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are communicated from said plurality of bio-information modems to said bio-information network at predetermined time intervals through a plurality of first communication links; and

a plurality of treatment providers in communication with said bio-information network, wherein each of said plurality of human subjects are associated with a one of said plurality of treatment providers, and each of said plurality of treatment providers can access through an internet connection to said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with said one of said plurality of treatment providers.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said bio-information network communicates automatically or on a periodic basis to said plurality of treatment providers said plurality of bio-sensor readings communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information modems paired to said plurality of bio-information units for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with a one of said plurality of treatment providers.

5. The system according to claim 2 wherein said bio-information unit communicates to said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals any errors and diagnostic data.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein said bio-information modem, upon receiving at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data, or upon a predetermined time interval occurring, will establish said first communication link with said bio-information network and communicate said at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data to said bio-information network.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein said bio-information network, upon said first communication link being established with said bio-information modem, executes a series of inquiries to validate said bio-information modem.

8. The system according to claim 5 wherein said bio-information network further comprises:

a web-hosted database server for storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said treatment provider accesses said web-hosted database server through an internet connection and a secure dedicated web site.

10. The system according to claim 5 wherein said bio-information network analyzes said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data into a plurality of categories, and if any immediate notification action needs to be taken, said bio-information network performs a notification operation to a monitoring personnel associated with said treatment provider.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein said notification operation is a one of an e-mail message, a facsimile transmission, a page to a pager, a text message, a call to a telephone, and a call to a cellular telephone.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein said treatment provider, through said web-hosted database server through said internet connection, customizes a frequency of taking said plurality of bio-sensor readings and customizes a method of notification for said notification operation.

13. The system according to claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of bio-sensor readings are time and date stamped by said bio-information unit.

14. The system according to claim 2 wherein said bio-information modem can transmit to said bio-information unit through radio frequency signals at least a one of a reading schedule, a communication schedule, a sensor configuration data, and an other operational information.

15. The system according to claim 2 wherein said bio-information unit stores said plurality of bio-sensor readings in an integrated memory in said bio-information unit until said predetermined time interval for communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings to said bio-information modem occurs.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem fails at said predetermined time interval, said bio-information unit repeats said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information modem.

17. The system according to claim 2 wherein said bio-information modem stores said plurality of bio-sensor readings received from said bio-information unit in an integrated memory in said bio-information modem until said predetermined time interval for communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings to said bio-information network occurs.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network fails at said predetermined time interval, said bio-information modem repeats said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information network.

19. The system according to claim 2 wherein the continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject may be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

20. The system according to claim 2 wherein said plurality bio-sensor readings are at least a one of a blood oxygen reading, blood carbon dioxide reading, insulin level reading, heart rate reading, temperature reading, respiration reading, and any other biological data reading based on a specific bio-sensor in the bio-information unit.

21. A method for continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a bio-information unit to the human subject;

(b) taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings by said bio-information unit at predetermined times without active participation by the human subject;

(c) communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information unit to a bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals through radio frequency signals;

(d) communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information modem to a bio-information network at predetermined time intervals through a first communication link;

(e) analyzing said plurality of bio-sensor readings by said bio-information network to determine if an alert condition exists; and

(f) communicating an alert to a treatment provider through a second communication link when said alert condition exists.

22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

attaching each of a plurality of bio-information units to a one of a plurality of human subjects;

taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings by said plurality of bio-information units at predetermined times without active participation by said plurality of human subjects;

communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said plurality of bio-information units to a plurality of bio-information modems at predetermined time intervals through a plurality of radio frequency signals, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is paired with and in communication with a one of said plurality of bio-information units attached to said one of a plurality of human subjects;

communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said plurality of bio-information modems to a bio-information network at predetermined time intervals through a plurality of first communication links;

analyzing said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said plurality of bio-information modems by said bio-information network to determine if any alert conditions exist; and

communicating a plurality of alerts to a plurality of treatment providers through a plurality of second communication links when said alert conditions exist, wherein each of said plurality of human subjects are associated with a one of said plurality of treatment providers, and each of said plurality of treatment providers can access through an internet connection to said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with said one of said treatment providers.

23. The method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of:

communicating by said bio-information network automatically or on a periodic basis to said plurality of treatment providers said plurality of bio-sensor readings communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information modems paired to said plurality of bio-information units for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with a one of said plurality of treatment providers.

24. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

communicating by said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals any errors and diagnostic data.

25. The method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of:

establishing said first communication link with said bio-information network upon receiving at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data, or upon a predetermined time interval occurring;

validating by said bio-information network said bio-information modem by executing a series of inquiries to said bio-information modem; and

upon successful validation, communicating said at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data to said bio-information network through said first communication link.

26. The method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data in a web-hosted database server in said bio-information network.

27. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of:

accessing said web-hosted database server by said treatment provider through an internet connection and a secure dedicated web site.

28. The method according to claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

analyzing by said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data into a plurality of categories; and

applying a set of rules to said plurality of categories; and

communicating an automatic alert to a monitoring personnel associated with said treatment provider when a rule is satisfied.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein said automatic alert is a one of an e-mail message, a facsimile transmission, a page to a pager, a text message, a call to a telephone, and a call to a cellular telephone.

30. The method according to claim 28 further comprising the step of:

customizing, by said treatment provider through said web-hosted database server through said internet connection, a frequency of taking said plurality of bio-sensor readings and a method of notification for said automatic alert.

31. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

time and date stamping by said bio-information unit each of said plurality of bio-sensor readings.

32. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

transmitting by said bio-information modem through radio frequency signals to said bio-information unit at least a one of a reading schedule, a communication schedule, a sensor configuration data, and an other operational information.

33. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in an integrated memory in said bio-information unit until said predetermined time interval for communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings to said bio-information modem occurs.

34. The method according to claim 33 further comprising the step of:

when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem fails at said predetermined time interval, repeating by said bio-information unit said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information modem.

35. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in an integrated memory in said bio-information modem until said predetermined time interval for communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings to said bio-information network occurs.

36. The method according to claim 35 further comprising the step of:

when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network fails at said predetermined time interval, repeating by said bio-information modem said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information network.

37. The method according to claim 21 wherein steps (b) through (f) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

38. A bio-information unit for continuous passive remote monitoring of a human subject comprising:

a processing means;

a configurable sensor array connectable to and controlled by said processing means for taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings of the human subject at predetermined times without active participation by the human subject; and

a radio frequency transceiver means connectable to and controlled by said processing means for transmitting said plurality of bio-sensor readings through radio frequency signals.

39. The bio-information unit of claim 38 further comprising:

a battery for supplying power to the bio-information unit; and

an attachment means for attaching the bio-information unit to the human subject.

40. The bio-information unit of claim 39 further comprising:

a bio-information modem in communication with the bio-information unit, wherein said bio-information unit communicates said plurality of bio-sensor readings to said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals through said radio frequency transceiver.

41. The bio-information unit of claim 40 further comprising:

an integrated memory connectable to said processing means; and

a main program executable by said processing means for controlling the operation of the bio-information unit, wherein said main program is downloadable from said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals to said radio frequency transceiver means through said processing means for storage in said integrated memory.

42. The bio-information unit of claim 41 further comprising:

a communication schedule stored in said integrated memory, wherein the bio-information unit attempts to communicate with said bio-information modem at times designated in said communication schedule, and further wherein, when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem at a scheduled communication time, said bio-information modem generates a communication alert along with a date and time of the failed communication, and further wherein, when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem for a predetermined period of time, said bio-information modem generates a no bio-information unit communication alert along with a present date and time.

43. The bio-information unit of claim 42 further comprising:

a reed relay connectable to said processing means, wherein passing a magnet in proximity to said reed relay overrides said communication schedule and activates the bio-information unit to take another plurality of bio-sensor readings with said configurable sensor array, and the bio-information unit attempts to communicate said another plurality of bio-sensor readings through said radio frequency transceiver through said radio frequency signals to said bio-information modem.

44. The bio-information unit of claim 38 wherein the continuous remote monitoring of the human subject may be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

45. The bio-information unit of claim 38 wherein said configurable sensor array further comprises:

at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor is designed to capture at least a one of a blood oxygen reading, blood carbon dioxide reading, insulin level reading, heart rate reading, temperature reading, respiration reading, and any other biological data reading based on said at least one sensor'"'"'s design.

46. A method for continuous remote bio-information monitoring of a human subject with a bio-information unit, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings with a configurable sensor array of the bio-information unit at predetermined times without active participation by the human subject; and

(b) transmitting with a radio frequency transceiver of the bio-information unit through radio frequency signals said plurality of bio-sensor readings and diagnostic data.

47. The method according to claim 46 further comprising the step of:

performing steps (a) and (b) under the control of a central processing unit within the bio-information unit.

48. The method according to claim 47 further comprising the steps of:

inserting a battery within the bio-information unit; and

attaching the bio-information unit to the human subject.

49. The method according to claim 48 further comprising the steps of:

communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings to a bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals through said radio frequency transceiver.

50. The method according to claim 48 further comprising the step of:

downloading a main program from said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals to said radio frequency transceiver to said central processing unit for storage in an integrated memory connectable to said central processing unit, wherein said main program is executed by said central processing unit for controlling the operation of said configurable sensor array and said radio frequency transceiver.

51. The method according to claim 50 further comprising the step of:

storing a communication schedule in said integrated memory, wherein said bio-information unit attempts to communicate with said bio-information modem at times designated in said communication schedule.

52. The method according to claim 51 further comprising the steps of:

when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem at a scheduled communication time of said communication schedule, generating a communication alert by said bio-information modem along with a date and time of the failed communication; and

overriding said communication schedule by the bio-information unit and attempting to communicate with said bio-information modem after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of said attempting to communicate is received from said bio-information modem.

53. The method according to claim 51 further comprising the step of:

when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem for a predetermined period of time, generating a no bio-information unit communication alert by said bio-information modem along with a present date and time.

54. The method according to claim 51 further comprising the step of:

activating said bio-information unit and overriding said communication schedule by passing a magnet in proximity to a reed relay connectable to said central processing unit, wherein once activated, said bio-information unit takes a bio-sensor reading with said configurable sensor array, and attempts to communicate said bio-sensor reading through said radio frequency transceiver through said radio frequency signals to said bio-information modem.

55. The method according to claim 46 wherein steps (a) and (b) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

56. A bio-information modem for use with a continuous remote bio-information unit attached to a human subject, and for use with a bio-information network, the bio-information modem comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver for communicating bi-directional radio frequency signals with the continuous remote bio-information unit, wherein said radio frequency signals contain a plurality of data;

a central processing unit connectable to said radio frequency transceiver, wherein said central processing unit processes said plurality of data to determine if at least one alert condition exists; and

a bio-information modem chip set connectable to said central processing unit, wherein when said at least one alert condition exists, a communication link is established by said central processing unit through said bio-information modem chip set to the bio-information network, and further wherein said central processing unit communicates an alert over said communication link to the bio-information network.

57. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 wherein said central processing unit controls a plurality of processes, said plurality of processes comprising:

a schedule process that controls a plurality of communication events between the continuous remote bio-information unit and the bio-information modem, and between the bio-information modem and the bio-information network;

a monitoring process that monitors said bi-directional radio frequency signals, containing said plurality of data, between the continuous remote bio-information unit and the bio-information modem; and

an analysis process for analyzing said plurality of data for said at least one alert condition.

58. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 wherein said plurality of data further comprises:

a set of operating instructions;

a sensor configuration data;

an operating data;

a time and date synchronization information for the continuous remote bio-information unit; and

a plurality of monitoring data received from the continuous remote bio-information unit.

59. The bio-information modem according to claim 58 wherein said central processing unit communicates through said bio-information modem chip set to the bio-information network over said communication link at least a one of:

said plurality of monitoring data;

a time and date synchronization information;

a schedule information;

an operating data for the continuous remote bio-information unit;

a bio-information modem operating program information; and

a continuous remote bio-information unit operating program.

60. The bio-information modem according to claim 58 wherein said plurality of monitoring data further comprises:

a plurality of bio-sensor readings taken of the human subject;

a plurality of diagnostic data; and

when an error has been detected by the continuous remote bio-information unit, an error data.

61. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 wherein when said central processing unit communicates said alert to the bio-information network, said bio-information network analyzes said alert according to a rules-based database, and based on said analysis, said bio-information network may send an automatic alert to a treatment provider or to a designated individual over a new communication link.

62. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 further comprising:

an LCD display connectable to said central processing unit for displaying a plurality of status messages regarding the bio-information modem, wherein said plurality of status messages are instructions to the human subject that the continuous remote bio-information unit needs to communicate with the bio-information modem or perform a type of operation.

63. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 further comprising:

an integrated memory connectable to said central processing unit;

a main operating program stored in said integrated memory; and

a main power input circuits for receiving power from an external source, wherein when said power is first received, said main power input circuits provide power to said central processing unit, wherein said central processing unit checks a validity of said main operating program, wherein if said main operating program is invalid, said bio-information modem chip set attempts to establish a communication link to the bio-information network to download a valid version of said main operating program.

64. The bio-information modem according to claim 63 further comprising:

a real time clock connectable to said central processing unit, wherein said real time clock is updated when said communication link is established with the bio-information network, and further wherein the bio-information network uploads said plurality of data from the bio-information modem.

65. The bio-information modem according to claim 63 further comprising:

a phone line connected to the bio-information modem for establishing said communication link.

66. The bio-information modem according to claim 56 wherein the continuous remote bio-information unit monitoring of the human subject may be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

67. A method for using a bio-information modem to process data received from a continuous remote bio-information unit attached to a human subject, and for use with a bio-information network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) communicating bi-directionally with a radio frequency transceiver in the bio-information modem radio frequency signals with the continuous remote bio-information unit, wherein said radio frequency signals contain the data;

(b) processing by said central processing unit the data to determine if at least one alert condition exists;

(c) when said at least one alert condition exists, establishing a communication link by said central processing unit through a bio-information modem chip set to a bio-information network; and

(d) communicating by said central processing unit an alert over said communication link to said bio-information network.

68. The method according to claim 67 further comprising the steps of:

controlling by said central processing unit a schedule process for scheduling a plurality of communication events between the continuous remote bio-information unit and the bio-information modem, and between the bio-information modem and the bio-information network;

controlling by said central processing unit a monitoring process that monitors said radio frequency signals, containing the data, between the continuous remote bio-information unit and the bio-information modem; and

controlling by said central processing unit an analysis process for analyzing the data for said at least one alert condition.

69. The method according to claim 67 wherein the data further comprises:

a set of operating instructions;

a sensor configuration data;

an operating data;

a time and date synchronization information for the continuous remote bio-information unit; and

a plurality of monitoring data received from the continuous remote bio-information unit.

70. The method according to claim 69 further comprising the steps of:

communicating by said central processing unit through said bio-information modem chip set to the bio-information network over said communication link at least a one of said plurality of monitoring data, a time and date synchronization information, a schedule information, an operating data for the continuous remote bio-information unit, a bio-information modem operating program information, and a continuous remote bio-information unit operating program.

71. The method according to claim 69 wherein said plurality of monitoring data further comprises:

a plurality of bio-sensor readings taken of the human subject;

a plurality of diagnostic data; and

when an error has been detected by the continuous remote bio-information unit, an error data.

72. The method according to claim 67 further comprising the steps of:

analyzing by the bio-information network said alert according to a rules-based database; and

based on said analysis, sending an automatic alert to a treatment provider or to a designated individual over a new communication link.

73. The method according to claim 67 further comprising the step of:

displaying on an LCD display of the bio-information modem a plurality of status messages regarding the bio-information modem, wherein said plurality of status messages are instructions to the human subject that the continuous remote bio-information unit needs to communicate with the bio-information modem or perform a type of operation.

74. The method according to claim 67 further comprising the steps of:

connecting the bio-information modem to a power source;

receiving power in said central processing unit;

checking by said central processing unit a validity of a bio-information modem main operating program for the bio-information modem stored in an integrated memory;

checking by said central processing unit a validity of a monitoring main operating program for the continuous remote bio-information unit stored in said integrated memory;

when at least a one of said bio-information modem main operating program and said monitoring main operating program is invalid, establishing a communication link by said bio-information modem chip set to a bio-information network;

downloading to the bio-information modem from the bio-information network a valid version of at least a one of said bio-information modem main operating program and said monitoring main operating program;

storing at least a one of said bio-information modem main operating program and said monitoring main operating program in said integrated memory;

updating a real time clock of the bio-information modem; and

uploading by the bio-information network the data from the bio-information modem.

75. The method according to claim 74 wherein said establishing step further comprises the steps of:

(1) checking by said central processing unit for a dial tone of a phone line connected to the bio-information modem;

(2) if no dial tone is detected, generating a no phone line connected alarm by said central processing unit;

(3) waiting by said central processing unit a predefined period of time; and

repeating steps (1) through (3) until a dial tone is detected.

76. The method according to claim 75 further comprising the steps of:

(4) when a dial tone is detected by said central processing unit, dialing a phone number for the bio-information network;

(5) monitoring by said bio-information modem chip set if said communication link is established to the bio-information network;

(6) if at least a one of a busy signal and a no answer is detected, generating a no connection alarm by said central processing unit;

(7) waiting by said central processing unit a predefined period of time; and

(8) repeating steps (4) through (7) until said communication link is established.

77. The method according to claim 76 further comprising the step of:

once said communication link is established, downloading a monitoring instructions, a schedule information for said bio-information modem, and a schedule information for the continuous remote bio-information unit for later delivery to the continuous remote bio-information unit; and

downloading a hang up instruction to the bio-information modem.

78. The method according to claim 77 further comprising the steps of:

once said hang up instruction is downloaded, hanging up by said central processing unit and powering off said bio-information modem chip set;

activating said radio frequency transceiver;

communicating a standard message over said radio frequency signals to the continuous remote bio-information unit;

when the continuous remote bio-information unit is within a range of the bio-information modem, receiving an answer message over said radio frequency signals sent from the continuous remote bio-information unit;

extracting by the bio-information modem the data from the continuous remote bio-information unit;

validating by the bio-information modem an operating program of the continuous remote bio-information unit;

updating by the bio-information modem a real time clock of the continuous remote bio-information unit;

downloading said schedule information for the continuous remote bio-information unit; and

terminating said radio frequency signals sent from the bio-information modem to the continuous remote bio-information unit.

79. The method according to claim 78 further comprising the step of:

when the continuous remote bio-information unit is not within said range of the bio-information modem, terminating said radio frequency signals; and

waiting a predefined period of time before recommunicating said standard message over said radio frequency signals to the continuous remote bio-information unit.

80. The method according to claim 78 further comprising the steps of:

scanning by said central processing unit the data to determine if an immediate alert needs to be communicated to the bio-information network;

when said immediate alert needs to be communicated, establishing a communication link to the bio-information network; and

when there is no said immediate alert to be communicated, waiting a predefined period of time before activating said radio frequency transceiver again.

81. The method according to claim 67 wherein steps (a) through (d) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

82. A bio-information network for use with a bio-information modem and a continuous remote bio-information unit attached to a human subject, the bio-information network comprising:

a communication server, wherein said communication server receives raw data over a communication link from the bio-information modem, wherein said raw data is gathered by the continuous remote bio-information unit attached to the subject and transmitted to the bio-information modem;

a situation analyzer connectable to said communication server, wherein said situation analyzer parses said raw data through a predetermined set of rules into a plurality of messages;

a workflow instructions connectable to said situation analyzer, wherein said situation analyzer queries said workflow instructions for an action to be applied to each of said plurality of messages;

a treatment provider/subject database connectable to said situation analyzer for storing said raw data, for storing information on the human subject, treatment provider, and a monitoring personnel monitoring the human subject, and for storing a method of notification predetermined by said monitoring personnel; and

a notification server connectable to said situation analyzer, wherein when said situation analyzer determines that said action to be applied to a one of said plurality of messages requires an immediate notification of said monitoring personnel, said situation analyzer will communicate said one of said plurality of messages to said notification server, and further wherein said notification server queries said treatment provider/subject database to determine a predetermined notification method, and executes said predetermined notification method to communicate a one of said plurality of messages to said monitoring personnel.

83. The bio-information network according to claim 82 wherein said communication server, upon establishment of said communication link with the bio-information modem, executes a series of inquiries to validate said bio-information modem.

84. The bio-information network according to claim 82 further comprising:

an alert manager connectable to said situation analyzer and to said workflow instructions, wherein said situation analyzer passes each of said plurality of messages to said alert manager, and further wherein said alert manager categorizes each of said plurality of messages into a one of a plurality of alert management categories for presentation to a monitoring person at a monitoring station.

85. The bio-information network according to claim 84 wherein said plurality of alert management categories further comprises:

a review/report;

a take action;

a snooze alert;

a log action required; and

a change the status of alert.

86. The bio-information network according to claim 82 wherein said treatment provider/subject database further comprises:

a treatment center information for a treatment center associated with said treatment provider;

a historical record of all previously received raw data; and

a patient data for the human subject, said patient data further comprising a reading schedule, a communication schedule, a device information for the continuous remote bio-information unit, and a device information for the bio-information modem in communication with the continuous remote bio-information unit.

87. The bio-information network according to claim 82 wherein said situation analyzer categorizes said plurality of messages into a plurality of categories, said plurality of categories further comprising:

an equipment alert, including a power up alarm from the continuous remote bio-information unit, and an equipment failure alert;

a communication alert, including a no bio-information modem communication, a no continuous remote bio-information unit communication, a bio-information modem missed scheduled communication, and a continuous remote bio-information unit missed scheduled communication;

an equipment maintenance, including a scheduled maintenance, a non-scheduled maintenance, and a software download maintenance; and

an equipment assignment, including an equipment assigned and an equipment removed.

88. The bio-information network according to claim 87 wherein said situation analyzer, in categorizing said plurality of messages, analyzes historical data relating to similar messages in making categorization decisions.

89. The bio-information network according to claim 88 wherein said situation analyzer analyzes said historical data to detect data trends and provide feedback to the human subject by sending messages related to the data trends to the bio-information modem for output on an LCD display of the bio-information modem.

90. The bio-information network according to claim 82 wherein the continuous remote bio-information unit monitoring of a human subject is done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

91. The bio-information network according to claim 82 wherein said treatment provider/subject database further comprises:

a plurality of programs for monitoring a plurality of sensors in the continuous remote bio-information unit, wherein once a sensor configuration has been assigned to the continuous remote bio-information unit, said treatment provider/subject database selects from said plurality of programs a set of programs necessary for said sensor configuration, and downloads said set of programs to the bio-information modem, which in turn downloads said set of programs to the continuous remote bio-information unit.

92. A method for using a bio-information network to process raw data received via a bio-information modem from a continuous remote bio-information unit attached to a human subject, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving in a communication server in the bio-information network the raw data over a communication link from the bio-information modem, wherein the raw data is gathered by the continuous remote bio-information unit attached to the subject and is transmitted to the bio-information modem;

(b) parsing with a situation analyzer said raw data through a predetermined set of rules into a plurality of messages;

(c) determining with a workflow instructions an action to be applied to each of said plurality of messages;

(d) storing in a treatment provider/subject database said raw data, an information on the human subject, an information on a treatment provider associated with the human subject, a predetermined notification method for notifying a monitoring personnel of said treatment provider associated with the human subject; and

(e) when said action to be applied to a one of said messages requires an immediate notification of said monitoring personnel, executing with a notification server said predetermined notification method to communicate a one of said plurality of messages to said monitoring personnel.

93. The method according to claim 92 wherein said receiving step further comprises:

upon establishing said communication link, validating by said communication server said bio-information modem by executing a series of inquiries to said bio-information modem.

94. The method according to claim 92 wherein said predetermined notification method is a one of an e-mail message, a facsimile transmission, a page to a pager, a text message, a call to a telephone, and a call to a cellular telephone.

95. The method according to claim 92 further comprising the step of:

categorizing by an alert manager each of said plurality of messages into a one of a plurality of alert management categories for presentation to said monitoring personnel at a monitoring station, wherein said plurality of alert management categories is a one of a review/report, a take action, a snooze alert, a log action required, and a change the status of alert.

96. The method according to claim 95 further comprising the steps of:

analyzing by said situation analyzer a current message together with a historical raw data related to said current message; and

escalating said current message to a higher one of said plurality of alert management categories when a pattern is detected by said analyzing step that would require more immediate attention.

97. The method according to claim 95 further comprising the steps of:

downloading by the bio-information network said reading schedule and said communication schedule to said bio-information modem;

downloading by said bio-information modem said reading schedule and said communication schedule to the continuous remote bio-information unit;

when a scheduled communication between said communication server and said bio-information modem fails to occur, generating by said communication server a communication alert; and

communicating said communication alert to said monitoring station.

98. The method according to claim 92 further comprising the step of:

storing in said treatment provider/subject database a treatment center information for a treatment center associated with said treatment provider, a historical record of all previously received raw data, and a patient data for the human subject, said patient data further comprising a reading schedule, a communication schedule, a device information for the continuous remote bio-information unit, and a device information for the bio-information modem in communication with the continuous remote bio-information unit.

99. The method according to claim 92 wherein said parsing with a situation analyzer step further comprises the step of:

categorizing each of said plurality of messages into a one of a plurality of categories, wherein said plurality of categories is a one of an equipment alert, including a power up alarm from the continuous remote bio-information unit and an equipment failure alert;

a communication alert, including a no bio-information modem communication, a no continuous remote bio-information unit communication, a bio-information modem missed scheduled communication, and a continuous remote bio-information unit missed scheduled communication;

an equipment maintenance, including a scheduled maintenance, a non-scheduled maintenance, and a software download maintenance; and

an equipment assignment, including an equipment assigned and an equipment removed.

100. The method according to claim 99 wherein said categorizing each of said plurality of messages into a one of a plurality of categories step further comprises:

analyzing historical data relating to similar messages in making categorization decisions.

101. The method according to claim 100 wherein said analyzing historical data step further comprises:

analyzing said historical data to detect a data trend; and

based on said data trend, sending a message related to said data trend to the bio-information modem for output on an LCD display of the bio-information modem to provide feedback to the human subject.

102. The method according to claim 92 wherein steps (a) through (e) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

103. The method according to claim 92 further comprising the steps of:

assigning by said treatment provider/subject database a sensor configuration to the continuous remote bio-information unit for the human subject;

selecting by said treatment provider/subject database, based upon said sensor configuration, a set of programs from a plurality of programs stored in said treatment provider/subject database, wherein a plurality of sensors in the continuous remote bio-information unit are monitored by a one of said plurality of programs, and further wherein said set of programs are necessary for monitoring said sensor configuration;

downloading by said treatment provider/subject database said set of programs to the bio-information modem; and

downloading by the bio-information modem said set of programs to the continuous remote bio-information unit.