Vital Signs Monitor

• US 20080281168A1
• Filed: 01/13/2006
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Baker, Steven D., Kotzer, Omer, Lathrop, Braxton L., Lewis, Robert T., Sunderland, Richard A., Gondek, Cory R., Gibson, Grant S., Dunn, Christopher L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,932,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Claims

1. A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring system, comprising:

a vital signs monitoring device, said monitoring device including a portable power supply enabling said monitoring device to operate in a stand-alone mode and a wireless transceiver enabling said monitoring device to operate in an alternative wireless networked mode with at least one remote station; and

a charging cradle adapted to receive said vital signs monitoring device, said charging cradle permitting said compact vital signs monitoring device to operate in a powered mode when said monitoring device is received by said charging cradle, said monitoring device being operable in said networked mode when said monitoring device is in said charging cradle.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, including a computing device connected to said charging cradle through a serial connection, said portable computer being configured to automatically receive stored patient-related data from said monitoring device when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, including a printer connected to said computing device, said printer being configured to automatically print stored patient-related data from said monitoring device when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said charging cradle includes a data port, said data port being engageable with at least one peripheral device.

5. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein said vital signs monitoring device includes a processor having memory and in which said data port is connected with a computing device, said computing device and said monitoring device being configured for automatically printing all data stored in said monitoring device when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein said vital signs monitoring device includes a selectively activated mechanism for capturing snapshots of patient related data, wherein stored snapshot data is automatically sent to the computing device for printing when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

7. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein said vital signs monitoring device stores patient data as trended data and in which said stored trended data is automatically sent to the computing device for printing by said printer when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

8. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein said vital signs monitoring device includes a processor having default settings for the operation of said device, said computing device including software for creating a configuration file that can be downloaded to said vital signs monitoring device when said device is attached to said charging cradle, said configuration file including a set of selectable instructions that replace at least one of the default settings of said device.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said vital signs monitoring device permits temporary configuring of at least some of the settings loaded by said configuration file or through the initial default settings.

10. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the temporary settings can be deleted in favor of the default settings of said device when said vital signs monitoring device is powered down.

11. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the vital signs monitoring device includes a user interface having a set of user actuable controls enabling the user to apply temporary configuration settings to said monitoring device.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein temporary settings can be maintained when said monitoring device is powered down.

13. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein temporary configuration settings can be selectively deleted when said monitoring device is powered down.

14. A system as recited in claim 1, including a remote station, said monitoring device and said remote station each including a wireless transceiver to enable bidirectional wireless communication therebetween.

15. A system as recited in claim 14, wherein said remote station is capable of transmitting temporary configuration settings to said monitoring device by wireless communication.

16. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vital signs monitoring device is patient wearable.

17. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said configuration file includes instructions for adjusting alarm limits of at least one monitored parameter, said adjustment enabling a user to adjust the alarm limits by predetermined percentage amounts.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein said monitoring device includes a user interface wherein a violated alarm limit can be adjusted when the alarm has sounded using a single button on said user interface.

19. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vital signs monitoring device continuously monitors at least one physiologic parameter, said device including a pulse oximeter sensor assembly in which said device permits continuous operation of said at least one other parameter while enabling said pulse oximeter sensor assembly to be run either continuously or for spot checking a patient.

20. A device as recited in claim 4, in which the peripheral device is a large display wherein data can be transmitted in real time to said display in said third mode.

21. A device as recited in claim 11, wherein said user-actuable controls include a plurality of user-actuable buttons for operating said monitoring device, and in which said buttons can selectively be locked out.

22. A device as recited in claim 1, including a display having an integral backlight, and in which said display and the integral backlight can be selectively locked out to prevent unauthorized access.

23. A device as recited in claim 22, wherein at least one of the display and the backlight can be powered down based on a predetermined amount of inactivity of said monitoring device.

24. A device as recited in claim 1, including an ECG assembly, said ECG assembly including a pacer detection circuit for determining pacer spikes.

25. A device as recited in claim 24, wherein said ECG sensor assembly is configured to selectively determine an appropriate ECO vector for noise detection.

26. A device as recited in claim 11, wherein said user-actuable controls include a plurality of buttons that are used with a display screen to navigate using drop-down menus that are selectively accessible through the user interface.

27. A device as recited in claim 26, wherein said user-actuable controls include a display button enabling a user to toggle through multiple data display modes of said monitoring device.

28. A method of monitoring a patient using a monitoring device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a battery powered patient monitoring device in a first stand-alone mode, said device including a display to display patient-related data;

configuring said patient monitoring device to operate in a second mode in which patient-related data is transmitted to a remote station by wireless communication;

placing said battery powered device in a charging cradle to permit said device to operate in a third mode in which the device is powered through connection to said charging cradle and in which said charging cradle is configured to transmit patient data from said device to a peripheral device through a wired connection when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

29. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said peripheral device includes a printer and in which said patient monitoring device includes a processor having a memory for storing patient data and a user interface, said method including the additional step of pressing a button on said user interface to selectively capture and store a snapshot of patient data wherein the placing of said patient monitoring device in said charging cradle causes any stored snapshot data to automatically be printed via said connected printer.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, including the step of connecting a computing device and said printer to said charging cradle through a data port provided on said charging cradle.

31. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein said patient monitoring device is configured to trend patient data and in which the placing of said patient monitoring device in said charging cradle causes all stored trended data to be printed via a printer connected to said charging cradle.

32. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said peripheral device includes a large display attached to said charging cradle via a data port wherein the placing of said patient monitoring device in said charging cradle causes data displayed by said patient monitoring device to be contemporaneously displayed by said large display.

33-74. -74. (canceled)

75. A patient monitoring device comprising:

a housing that includes a portable power supply and a display for permitting the monitoring device to operate in a first stand-alone mode;

a wireless transceiver enabling said monitoring device to operate in a second mode in which patient-related data is transmitted to a remote station and in which said monitoring device is configured to be separately powered in a third mode wherein said device can still operate simultaneously in the second networked mode while in said third mode.

76. A device according to claim 75, in which the monitoring device is adapted to be placed in a charging cradle in the third mode, the charging cradle including a data port to permit communication between said patient monitoring device and at least one peripheral device.

77. A device as recited in claim 75, wherein said monitoring device is patient wearable in said first and second modes.

78. A device as recited in claim 76, in which the peripheral device is a large display wherein patient-related data can be transmitted in real time to said display in said third mode using said data port.

79. A device as recited in claim 76, in which the peripheral device is a computing device.

80. A device as recited in claim 79, in which the computing device is configured to send a configuration file to the patient monitoring device providing default settings for said monitoring device.

81. A device as recited in claim 79, in which said computing device is configured to automatically receive stored data from said patient monitoring device when said monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

82. A device as recited in claim 76, including a processor having memory for storing and trending patient-related data, said device further including a user interface that permits snapshots of data to be selectively taken, wherein all trended data and snapshot data is automatically transmitted when said patient monitoring device is attached to said charging cradle.

83. A device as recited in claim 75, including a user interface defined on said housing having a plurality of user-actuable buttons for operating said device, and in which said buttons can selectively be locked out.

84. A device as recited in claim 75, including a display having a backlight, and in which said display and the backlight can be selectively powered off to prevent unauthorized access.

85. A device as recited in claim 84, wherein at least one of the display and the backlight can be powered down based on inactivity of said device.

86. A device as recited in claim 75, including an ECG assembly, said ECG assembly including a pacer detection circuit for determining pacer spikes.

87. A device as recited in claim 86, wherein said ECG assembly is configured for determining an appropriate ECG vector for electrical noise detection using pacer spikes from the pacer detection circuit.

88. A device as recited in claim 75, wherein the wireless transceiver can be selectively powered down if the transceiver is out of range of an access point.

89. A device as recited in claim 83, wherein said user interface includes a plurality of buttons that are used with a display screen to navigate using drop-down menus that are accessed through the user interface.

90. A device as recited in claim 89, wherein said user interface can access a disconnected wireless mode menu in which the device can be selectively switched between a disconnected wireless mode and said wireless mode.

91-141. -141. (canceled)