Physiological Sensors with Telemonitor and Notification Systems

• US 20080228048A1
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MobileHelp, LLC
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Schwabe, Jackie A., Budish, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 8,545,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• 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 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided which enable communications to be initiated locally relative to an individual'"'"'s developing physiological condition and remotely as the condition requires. Physiological sensors and associated medical delivery systems can be coupled to a unit wearable by an individual which can provide various audible or visual outputs and one or more manual inputs indicative of the individual'"'"'s condition. A global positioning unit can be incorporated so that condition information as well as location information can automatically be provided, wirelessly, to a remote monitoring system for follow up as needed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a device to deliver a medicinal solution to an individual;

at least one sensor of a physiological condition of the individual;

control circuits coupled to at least one of the device or the sensor;

location establishing circuitry coupled to the control circuits;

at least one of an audible or a visual output device coupled to the control circuits, and a manually operable input device coupled to the control circuits; and

an interface, coupled to the control circuits for at least transmitting, wirelessly, information relative to the physiological condition of the individual to a displaced receiver.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the control circuits couple information pertaining to the physiological condition of the individual and medicinal information to the interface for transmission to the receiver.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 which includes a monitoring system coupled to the receiver.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2 where the interface communicates with the receiver at least in part via a wireless telephone system.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3 where the monitoring system maintains a pre-stored contact list for the individual.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 where the monitoring system includes a display device that visually presents the contact information in response to information pertaining to the physiological condition of the individual.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 where the monitoring system displays position related information received from the interface.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 where the monitoring system responds to indicia associated with the manually operable input device.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 where the control circuits respond to actuation of the input device to cause the device to deliver a medicinal solution to the individual.

10. A method comprising:

sensing a physiological parameter of an individual;

comparing the parameter to at least a first range of values; and

responsive to the comparing, selecting a predetermined contact with whom to initiate a communication with a third party concerning the individual.

11. A method as in claim 10 where an indicator is provided to the individual indicative of the sensed parameter.

12. A method as in claim 11 which includes determining if the individual has provided an input responsive to the indicator.

13. A method as in claim 12 which includes providing a medicinal fluid to the individual.

14. A method as in claim 12 which includes establishing trend information for the parameter.

15. A method as in claim 14 which includes, responsive to the trend information, activating a medicinal delivery system and providing a medicinal fluid to the individual.

16. A method as in claim 15 which includes identifying another contact and providing contact information therefor.

17. A warning device comprising:

a housing;

control circuits carried by the housing;

a position determining system carried by the housing;

a manually operable response indicating member carried by the housing and coupled to the control circuits; and

a drug delivery system coupled to the control circuits, the system including at least one sensor of an analyte of an individual, the sensor coupled to the control circuits, with the control circuits including at least one pre-stored range associated with the analyte, the control circuits activating the output device in response to analyte indicia from the sensor having a predetermined relationship to the pre-stored range, and, responding to a signal from the response indicating member.

18. A device as in claim 17 which includes a wireless interface carried in the housing and coupled to the control circuits.

19. A device as in claim 18 which includes at least one audible or visual output device coupled to the control circuits.