Apparatus and system for collection and storage of vital signs medical information and methods related thereto

• US 20070010724A1
• Filed: 12/31/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliday Hospital Supply
• Original Assignee: Halliday Hospital Supply
• Inventors: Halliday, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,083,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/50 having additional measuring devices, e.g. for height
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 with wireless means

Abstract

Featured is an apparatus for the collection and storage of patient vital sign information as well as systems and methods related thereto. Such a collection and storage apparatus of the present invention forms a workstation that is configured and arranged so as to be capable of acquiring one or more pieces of patient vital sign information and/or data. Such an apparatus includes a re-configurable chair that can adapted to support one or more diagnostic devices, such as a scales and one or more vital sign monitors that are configured and arranged with circuitry and devices to measure and/or monitor any one or more of blood pressure, pulse O₂ saturation, body temperature, or blood sugar.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collecting and storing vital sign data, comprising:

a chair having a seat element that is moveable between a seated position and a weight data acquisition position,

a scale being secured to a supporting structure of a frame for the chair such that when the seat is moved so as to be in the weight data acquisition position, the scale is exposed and a sufficient area is provided within the apparatus so that a patient can step up onto the scale, and

a storage device for receiving the weight measurement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring device operable coupled to the scale for one of displaying the measured weight or communicating the measurement to the storage device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or monitoring devices for measuring any one or more vital sign information/data and for one of displaying the measured measurement or communicating the measurement to the storage device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vital sign information data being measured includes one or more of blood pressure, pulse, O₂ Saturation, or body temperature.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a support structure including a plurality of support elements that are arranged to support each of the one or more monitoring devices and so that one of the plurality of support elements is secured to the supporting structure of the chair frame.

6. A method for acquiring vital sign information, comprising the steps of:

providing a chair having a seat element that is moveable between a seated position and a weight data acquisition position, a scale being secured to a supporting structure of a frame for the chair such that when the seat is moved so as to be in the weight data acquisition position, the scale is exposed and a sufficient area is provided within the apparatus so that a patient can step up onto the scale, and a storage device for receiving the weight measurement; and

standing on the scale when the seat element is in the weight data acquisition position.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the chair being provided further includes one or monitoring devices for measuring any one or more vital sign information/data and for one of displaying the measured measurement or communicating the measurement to the storage device, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

seating a patient in the chair;

coupling the patient to the one or more device; and

acquire the vital sign information.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

providing a computing device including an applications program for execution therein;

operably coupling each of the one or more monitoring devices to the computing device;

communicating the acquired vital sign information from the one or more monitors to the computing device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

providing a computing device including an applications program for execution therein;

operably coupling the scale to the computing device;

communicating the acquired weight information to the computing device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

operably coupling the computing device to a data store of patient records;

communicating the weight information communicated to the computing device to the data store.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

operably coupling the computing device to a data store of patient records;

communicating the vital sign information communicated to the computing device to the data store.