Vital sign telemeter

• US 20050171444A1
• Filed: 12/08/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Shinya, Ono, Kohei, Ishino, Koji, Matsumura, Fumiyuki
• Granted Patent: US 9,723,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/490
• 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 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters

Abstract

A first detector is provided with a cuff adapted to be placed on an upper arm of a subject to detect noninvasive blood pressure of the subject. At least one second detector is adapted to be placed on a part of the subject to detect at least one vital sign of the subject. A single main body is detachably provided on the cuff while being connected with the first detector and the at least one second detector. A display is provided on the main body and operable to display the non-invasive blood pressure and the at least one vital sign as measurement data. A transmitter is provided in the main body and operable to transmit the measurement data to a receiver placed in a remote location.

Claims

1. A vital sign telemeter, comprising:

a first detector, comprising a cuff adapted to be placed on an upper arm of a subject to detect non-invasive blood pressure of the subject;

at least one second detector, adapted to be placed on a part of the subject to detect at least one vital sign of the subject;

a single main body, detachably provided on the cuff while being connected with the first detector and the at least one second detector;

a display, provided on the main body and operable to display the non-invasive blood pressure and the at least one vital sign as measurement data; and

a transmitter, provided in the main body and operable to transmit the measurement data to a receiver placed in a remote location.

2. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first detector and the at least one second detector is detachably connected to the main body.

3. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one second detector includes at least one of:

a plurality of electrodes, adapted to be attached on at least one of a chest and a limb of the subject to detect at least one of electrocardiogram and respiration of the subject;

a sensor, adapted to be attached on a finger of the subject to detect oxygen saturation in blood of the subject; and

a sensor, adapted to be attached on a face of the subject to detect a concentration of carbon dioxide in gas expired through nostrils of the subject.

4. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein a face of the main body to be faced the upper arm is curved.

5. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a retainer, which detachably retains the main body on the cuff; and

a cover sheet, provided on the cuff and configured to securely surround the main body retained on the cuff.

6. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

the retainer is disposed between the cuff and a face of the main body facing the upper arm so as to extend in a first direction which is perpendicular to a winding direction of the cuff; and

a width of the retainer in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction is narrower than a width of the main body in the second direction.

7. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the display is so configured as to simultaneously display, as the measurement data, the non-invasive blood pressure, the oxygen saturation in blood, pulse rate, pulse wave, and an interval between periodic activation of the first detector.

8. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a first switch, adjacent to the display and adapted to be actuated to activate or deactivate the first detector; and

a second switch, adjacent to the display and adapted to be actuated to determine an interval between periodic activation of the first detector.

9. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the measurement data in a wireless manner.

10. The vital sign telemeter as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a safety controller, which deflates the cuff, when the first detector falls into a single fault condition which results in a failure in inflating operation of the cuff.

11. A telemeting method, comprising steps of:

providing a first detector comprising a cuff adapted to be placed on an upper arm of a subject;

providing at least one second detector adapted to be placed on a part of the subject;

connecting the first detector and the at least one second detector to a single main body which is detachably provided on the cuff;

detecting non-invasive blood pressure of the subject through the first detector;

detecting at least one vital sign of the subject through the second detector;

displaying the non-invasive blood pressure and the at least one vital sign on a display provided on the main body, as measurement data; and

transmitting the measurement data to a receiver placed in a remote location.

12. A telemeting system, comprising:

a first detector, comprising a cuff adapted to be placed on an upper arm of a subject to detect non-invasive blood pressure of the subject;

a second detector, adapted to be placed on a finger of the subject to detect oxygen saturation in blood of the subject;

a single main body, detachably provided on the cuff while being connected with the first detector and the second detector;

a receiver, placed in a remote location from the main body and provided with an indicator; and

a transmitter provided in the main body and operable to transmit the non-invasive blood pressure and the oxygen saturation in blood as measurement data to the receiver, wherein;

the transmitter transmits information indicating that the measurement data for the oxygen saturation is unreliable at least while the first detector detects the non-invasive blood pressure, to the receiver; and

the indicator indicates that the measurement data for the oxygen saturation received from the transmitter is unreliable when the receiver receives the information.