Patient monitor

• US 20070060802A1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Technology at Sydney
• Original Assignee: University of Technology at Sydney
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hung, Willshire, Richard, Ghevondian, Nejhdeh
• Granted Patent: US 8,945,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A monitoring device for monitoring the physiological condition of a patient (1) on a continuous basis, which includes a transmitter unit (2) adapted to attach to a patient so as to be in contact with the skin of a patient, a corresponding receiver unit (5). The transmitter unit includes a strap or belt (3) adapted to attach to or around a body part of a patient. A plurality of sensors (E) are mounted to the belt for monitoring a plurality of patient physiological parameters, including at least the patient'"'"'s skin impedance, heart rate and aspects of the heart beat. The sensors are connected to a microcontroller (8) which processes the signals and which is linked to a wireless transmitter (9). A portable receiver unit is adapted to receive and process the signal from the transmitter. The receiver unit includes a display (14) for data relating to the patient and preferably an alarm (15).

Claims

1. A monitoring device for monitoring the physiological condition of a patient on a continuous basis, the monitoring device comprising:

a transmitter unit adapted to attach to a patient so as to be in contact with the skin of a patient, the transmitter unit including;

attachment means adapted to attach to or around a body part of a patient;

a plurality of sensors mounted to the attachment means adapted to monitor a plurality of patient parameters, including at least the patients skin impedance, heart rate and aspects of the heart beat of the patient, the sensors adapted to each produce a signal related to the parameter being monitored;

a microcontroller to which the sensors are connected, the microcontroller being adapted to process the signals; and

a wireless transmitter to which the microcontroller is connected, the transmitter being adapted to transmit a processed signal related to the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors;

a portable receiver unit adapted to receive and process the signal received from said attachment unit, the receiver unit comprising;

a wireless receiver adapted to receive the signal from the attachment unit;

a processor adapted to process the signal; and

display means for displaying data relating to the patient.

2. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein central processor is adapted to process the received processed signal so as to determine the onset of one or more of the following physiological conditions:

hypoglycaemia, irregular blood glucose levels, SIDS, cardiac irregularities, irregular BGL'"'"'s, and onset of sleep/fatigue.

3. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the portable receiver includes communication means for communicating with a network.

4. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the receiver unit includes an input keyboard for inputting data and communicating with the receiver unit.

5. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit includes analogue electronics circuitry to pre-filter, process and prepare the signals related to the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors and interface to the microcontroller.

6. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is adapted to perform all required control mechanism for the transmitter unit, provide digital signal processing of the information by the pre-processed analogue circuitry and prepare these signals for wireless transmission.

7. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is adapted to transmit digitally processed signals related to the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors.

8. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a chest belt attachable around a patient'"'"'s upper thoracic region, the belt being around a patient'"'"'s upper thoracic region, the belt being adjustable in length to accommodate different sizes.

9. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the sensors comprise skin-surface electrode sensors comprised of flexible conductive polymer.

10. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to measure an ECG signal generated by the patient.

11. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to measure the skin impedance of the patient.

12. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit is adapted to detect contact and lift-off of the sensors.

13. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the processed signal transmitted by the transmitter unit comprises encoded packets of data including data relating to parameter identification.

14. A monitoring device according to claim 13 wherein the central processor is adapted to extract heart rate, QT-interval, and ST-segment information based on a digital signal processing algorithm of the packets of data.

15. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the central processor comprises a learning neural network processor programmed with a first leaving algorithm.

16. A monitoring device according to claim 15 wherein the algorithm is adapted to estimate the actual value of a physiological condition of a patient.

17. A monitoring device according to claim 16 wherein the physiological condition is any one of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, cardiac irregularities, SDS, chronic stress, sleep disorder, or onset of fatigue.

18. A monitoring device according to claim 16 wherein the value estimated is the blood glucose level of the patient.

19. A monitoring device according to claim 16 wherein the receiver unit is adapted to display said actual value.

20. A monitoring device according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit and receiver unit communicate across a plurality of radio frequency bandwidths.

21. (canceled)