Method and apparatus for time-dependent and temperature-dependent clinical alert
First Claim
1. An apparatus adapted to measure a pre-defined period and to alert medical personnel upon the conclusion of such period comprising:
- a timer;
a visual display;
wherein the visual display comprises one or more light emitting diodes; and
an adhesive backing system;
wherein the timer generates a timing sequence comprising a countdown, count-up, or elapsed-time protocol, and visually displays information addressing the duration to be timed and the amount of time elapsed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are disclosed for measuring a pre-defined period as a method to alert medical personnel of the need for clinical intervention. Many invasive and non-invasive medical procedures require constant monitoring or intervention. Failure to properly observe or intervene may result in clinical harm. The devices and methods disclosed herein are useful in any field of medicine where periodic monitoring or procedures are required. The devices is designed to be familiar to medical personnel, and in its most common form will be packaged as a band aid, but may also be packaged as a coin sized device that adheres to or clips onto a patient'"'"'s bandage, limb, or on a necklace. The timer provides an audible warning of timeout, a visual indication of timeout, a tactile indication or any combination of the three. The number of hours in the countdown sequence is variable and determined from a series of choices provided to the caregiver. The device can be used to monitor temperature and warn of an infection.
124 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus adapted to measure a pre-defined period and to alert medical personnel upon the conclusion of such period comprising:
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a timer; a visual display;
wherein the visual display comprises one or more light emitting diodes; andan adhesive backing system; wherein the timer generates a timing sequence comprising a countdown, count-up, or elapsed-time protocol, and visually displays information addressing the duration to be timed and the amount of time elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of treating a wound comprising the steps of:
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Applying a timing circuit to a bandage; Removing an adhesive cover strip from the bandage to expose an adhesive surface; Removing an electrically insulating barrier between two electrical contacts to initiate energy flow from a power source into a controller comprised by the timing circuit; Adhering the bandage to a patient; Performing a timing sequence within the timing circuit of the bandage, wherein the timing sequence comprises a countdown, count-up, or elapsed time program; and Initiating a sequence of visual displays upon completion of the timing sequence. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus adapted to measure a pre-defined time period and to alert medical personnel upon the conclusion of such time period comprising:
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a means for affixing the apparatus to a patient or object in the patient'"'"'s room; a means for providing electrical power to the apparatus; a means for generating a timing sequence within the apparatus; a means for alerting medical personnel when the timing sequence has reached a specified time interval; and a means for initiating the timing sequence; wherein the means for alerting the medical personnel comprises a sequence of light emitting diode activations that further comprise quantitative information regarding the length of the pre-defined time period and the time elapsed from the conclusion of the pre-defined time period to a present time.
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Specification