Hydration monitoring

• US 20050070778A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PhiloMetron Inc.
• Original Assignee: PhiloMetron Inc.
• Inventors: Edman, Carl F., Lackey, Robert P., Drinan, Darrel
• Granted Patent: US 7,783,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/366
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Systems and techniques for monitoring hydration. In one implementation, a method includes measuring an electrical impedance of a region of a subject to generate an impedance measurement result, and wirelessly transmitting the data to a remote apparatus. The probe with which impedance is measured may in the form of a patch adhesively secured to the subject.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a local bioelectric impedance of a portion of an ambulatory organism using a portable probe dimensioned to be continuously borne by the organism, the portable probe exchanging electrical energy with the portion of the organism while borne to generate data representing a result of the hydration monitoring; and

wirelessly communicating the data representing the result of the hydration monitoring to a remote apparatus configured to receive the data from the portable probe.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable probe exchanges energy substantially continuously with the portion of the organism to generate the hydration monitoring result.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising transmitting a probe identifier to said remote apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising transmitting an electrode identifier to said remote apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising sensing temperature.

6. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising sensing vasodilation.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising placing the probe on the thigh of a subject.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising placing the probe on the chest of a subject.

9. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising diagnosing pulmonary edema using said data.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising monitoring bioelectric impedance for a period sufficient to identify a hydration trend over time.

11. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising automatically providing a recommendation for intervention to alleviate a hydration condition.

12. A device comprising:

a portable hydration monitoring probe dimensioned to be continuously borne by an organism, the probe comprising

a supply of electrical power,

at least one electrode to exchange electrical energy from the supply with a local portion of the organism bearing the probe,

a controller to generate data representing a result of the hydration monitoring, the result reflecting a local bioelectric impedance based on the exchange of electrical energy at the electrode, and

a data communication device configured to wirelessly communicate the data representing the hydration monitoring result to a remote apparatus.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said portable hydration monitoring probe is configured as a patch probe.

14. The device of claim 12, additionally comprising a temperature sensor.

15. The device of claim 12, comprising a plurality of electrodes.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein each electrode is separated from each other electrode by a distance of between 2.5 mm and 25 cm.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said electrodes are attached to an adhesive patch configured to be applied to the skin of a subject.