Method for improving in-home patient monitoring

• US 20090131763A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inogen Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Inogen Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Brenton, Deane, Geoffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/218,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20090131763A1
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/127 by Venturi effect, i.e. entrainment mixers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention is a method to improve in-home care for patients who require supplemental oxygen. Built around an intelligent portable oxygen concentrator which can acquire and store patient data and make the data available over the internet, the method allows a physician to access the data over the internet in sufficient detail to justify billing Medicare or other insurance providers, thus incentivising the physician to monitor the patient more often. The data system provider receives a fee for data access thus making the process profitable enough to be sustainable.

Claims

1. A method for improving in-home patient monitoring comprising;

prescribing by a physician an intelligent oxygen concentrator for a patient, wherein the concentrator has the capability to acquire and store patient data and make the data available over the internet,

creating a data system whereby patients are registered with the system and the data acquired by the concentrator may be accessed on webpages generated by the system; and

,

accessing the patient data over the internet in sufficient detail to justify the physician billing to the insurance payor Medicare for approved periodic patient check-up.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising notifying the physician of events that trigger access of the data.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising setting limits on portions of the data by the physician, wherein acquiring data that is outside these limits constitutes an event that triggers physician notification.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the time for the next approved check-up constitutes an event that triggers physician notification.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein notification is by email automatically generated by the data system.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

interfacing patient monitoring devices including at least one of a pulse oximeter, a blood pressure monitor, a temperature monitor, electronic scale, body composition analyzer or a spirometer, to the programmable controller of a portable oxygen concentrator whereby data from these devices is also accessible from the data system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the physician receives remuneration from the payor beyond that normally given for patient check-ups.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the data system provider receives remuneration from the physician for supplying acquired data.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the data system provider receives remuneration from the equipment provider for supplying acquired data.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the data system provider receives remuneration from the payor for supplying acquired data.