PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100041975A1
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Henry, Chen, Fred, Stronger, Brad, Hsu, Pei-Lan, Ma, Hongshen, Sheridan, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,301,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/393
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats

Abstract

Various systems and methods are provided for monitoring patient physiological data without the need for adhesives or wires to be connected to a patient. The system is also fully functional without the need for manipulation or intervention by a care provider or medical personnel. In particular, the system can include a pad having a plurality of electrical contacts or electrodes formed thereon in a predetermined pattern. The electrodes can be configured to sense electrical signals produced by a patient'"'"'s body. A controller in communication with the electrodes can be configured to select and process signals from the electrodes and send the information derived from the electrical signals to an output device for displaying resulting physiological data so that the patient can be monitored.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring patient physiological data, comprising:

a pad having a plurality of electrical contacts formed thereon in a predetermined pattern, the electrical contacts being configured to sense electrical signals produced by a patient'"'"'s body;

a controller in communication with the electrical contacts and configured to select at least two electrical contacts, each sensing a processable electrical signal, and to process a differential signal derived from the processable signals; and

an output device in communication with the controller for displaying the patient'"'"'s physiological data based on information processed by the controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to monitor the plurality of electrical contacts and to select from among the electrical contacts different electrical contacts as needed to optimize the physiological data.

3. They system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprise strips of conductive material.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the strips of conductive material are formed into two mirrored sets of nested L-shaped configurations on the pad.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the strips of conductive material are formed from at least one of a Nickel/Copper polyester fabric and a cloth fabric containing conductive threads.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts is a devoted active ground configured to enable removal of 60 Hz noise from the signal processed by the controller.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are configured to sense electrical signals through a patient'"'"'s skin to produce physiological data regardless of patient size or patient position on the pad.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a multiplexing network, at least one amplifier, at least one filter, and at least one microprocessor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is battery operated.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device is configured to communicate with the controller wirelessly.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pad is at least one of a gurney pad, a sheet, a warming blanket, and a hospital gown.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical signals sensed by the plurality of electrical contacts are electrocardiograph signals and physiological data displayed by the output device is an electrocardiograph.

13. A system for monitoring patient physiological data, comprising:

a pad having an array of electrodes formed thereon in a predetermined configuration, the pad being configured to be positioned adjacent to a patient'"'"'s skin; and

a processor in communication with the pad and configured to select at least two electrodes from the array of electrodes, to process electrical signals received from the at least two electrodes, and to generate physiological data derived from the electrical signals.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to periodically monitor a signal strength sensed by the electrodes of the array and to actively change the selected electrodes to maintain optimization of physiological data.

15. They system of claim 13, wherein the array of electrodes comprise at least one of strips of conductive tape and cloth fabric made with conductive threads.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the strips of conductive tape are formed into mirrored sets of nested L-shaped configurations.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the strips of conductive tape are formed from a Nickel/Copper polyester fabric.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the array of electrodes is a devoted active ground configured to enable removal of 60 Hz ambient noise.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the electrodes are configured to sense electrical signals through a patient'"'"'s skin to produce physiological data regardless of patient size or patient position on the pad.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein data generated by the processor includes electrocardiograph data.

21. A method for monitoring a patient'"'"'s physiological data, comprising:

providing a pad having a plurality of electrical contacts formed thereon;

positioning the pad adjacent to a patient such that at least some of the plurality electrical contacts can sense electrical signals through the patient'"'"'s skin;

processing electrical signals received from the plurality of electrical contacts;

selecting at least two electrical contacts from the plurality of electrical contacts based on the strength and quality of the electrical signals processed; and

outputting the information derived from the selected electrical contacts such that a patient'"'"'s physiological data can be monitored.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of processing electrical signals from the electrical contacts comprises determining whether or not a patient is in contact with the electrical contacts and assessing the quality of acquired electrical signals.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of positioning the pad adjacent to a patient comprises positioning a patient in any orientation on or under the pad.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of outputting the information derived from the selected electrical contacts comprises outputting data relating to at least one of blood pressure, electrocardiogram, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and body temperature.