WIRELESS MEDICAL TELEMETRY SYSTEM AND METHODS USING RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGIZED BIOSENSORS

• US 20100081895A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jason Matthew Zand
• Original Assignee: Jason Matthew Zand
• Inventors: Zand, Jason Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/306,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• 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: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

A system is provided that furnishes physiological or biomechanical parameters from sensors placed upon or within a subject. The system comprises radio frequency energized biosensor (RFEB) devices that are powered by and communicate with an external receiver and monitoring apparatus. One embodiment of the system provides for infant monitoring in a crib utilizing RFEB devices incorporated into a dermal patch. Said patch communicates with a receiver suspended above the crib and alerts of early warning signs of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other physiologic abnormalities. Another embodiment comprises implantable RFEB devices that relay information related to the condition of an internal tissue, organ, or cavity to an external receiver, monitor, and recorder. Other embodiments include wearable sensors for detecting a subject attempting to get out of bed, dislodge medical equipment, or stray from a given location.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring infants comprising:

a remotely energized sensor, a transmitter, a receiver, and a monitor;

wherein the sensor detects at least one of a physiologic and biomechanical parameter of an infant or child;

wherein the sensor and transmitter receive power through radio frequency (RF) energy;

wherein the transmitter communicates wirelessly with a receiver in a nearby base station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and transmitter is integrated into a fixture comprising at least one of a dermal patch, a diaper, or an article of clothing.

3. The fixture in claim 2, wherein the fixture is disposable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing modalities include at least one of an optical sensor, an oximetry sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a MEMS sensor, a nano sensor, a biochemical sensor, an acoustic sensor, an immunologic sensor, a fluidic sensor, and a ‘

lab-on-a-chip’

type sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor detects at least one of general health, blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose levels, electrical activity including electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG), pulse presence, pulse rate and character, respiratory motion, respiratory rate, temperature, pH, chemical composition, and body motion including acceleration and mechanical shock.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station takes the form of, is incorporated into, or is mechanically coupled to at least one of a toy, a mobile, a bed, a crib, a stroller, a bedding material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor is integrated into the base station.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a remote monitor, and optionally a data recorder, are communicatively coupled to the base station;

wherein the remote monitor takes the form of at least one of a dedicated baby monitor, an alarm, a watch, an armband, a pendant, a portable computer, a mobile phone, a portable music player, a pager, a television, a remotely accessible web site, and a software interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein an alert is generated responsive to a condition detected by the sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system detects early signs of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system detects of fever.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system detects convulsive activity.

14. A system comprising:

a remotely energized implantable sensor for generating a signal indicative of at least one of a physiologic and biomechanical property of a patient, a transmitter for sending the signal, a receiver unit for receiving the signal, and a processor configured to produce an output responsive to the signal.

11. The system of claim 20, wherein the sensing modality is based on at least one of oximetry, infant body motion, and electrical activity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensing modalities include at least one of an optical sensor, an oximetry sensor, an electrical sensor, a chemical sensor, a mechanical sensor, a MEMS sensor, a nano sensor, a biochemical sensor, an acoustic sensor, an immunologic sensor, a fluidic sensor, and a ‘

lab-on-a-chip’

type sensor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensors detect at least one of surgical procedure failure, general health, blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose levels, inflammation, electrical activity including electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG), pulse presence, pulse rate and character, respiratory motion, respiratory rate, temperature, pH, chemical composition, and body motion including acceleration and mechanical shock.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor and transmitter form an integrated sensing device that communicates wirelessly with a receiver unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the receiver unit attaches to or is integrated into at least one of an article of clothing, a wearable device, a bed, a bedding material, a stretcher, a backboard, and an operating room table.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver unit is a portable monitoring device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver is communicatively coupled to a remote monitoring station.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is powered wirelessly by a radio frequency source.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensing device is partially or fully absorbable into the body.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the antenna of the sensing device is partially or fully absorbable into the body.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the antenna is comprised of a bioabsorbable or biologically inert conductive ink printed on a bioabsorbable or biologically inert substrate.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the antenna is comprised of conductive biocompatible gel or fluid contained in bioabsorbable tubular structures or guides.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the system monitors and optionally records the condition at an operative site.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the system monitors and optionally records the condition of a transplanted organ.

28. The system of claim 14, wherein the system monitors and optionally records at least one of a physiologic and biomechanical condition within at least one of an intra-cranial, intra-thecal, intra-ocular, intra-otic, intra-nasal, intra-sinusoidal, intra-pharyngeal, intra-laryngeal, intra-esophageal, intra-tracheal, intra-thoracic, intra-bronchial, intra-pericardial, intra-cardiac, intra-vascular, intra-abdominal, intra-gastric, intra-cholecystic, intra-enteric, intra-colonic, intra-rectal, intra-cystic, intra-ureteral, intra-uterine, intra-vaginal, and intra-scrotal space.

29. The system of claim 14, wherein the system monitors and optionally records at least one of a physiologic and biomechanical condition within at least one of a vascular, a cardiac, a cerebral, a pulmonic, a hepatic, a pancreatic, a renal, an adrenal, a lienal, an ovarian, a testicular, a penal, a muscular, an osseous, and a dermal tissue.

30. A system for detecting adverse patient activity comprising:

a remotely energized sensor, a transmitter, a receiver, and a monitor;

wherein the sensor detects an adverse patient activity;

wherein the sensor and transmitter receive power through radio frequency (RF) energy;

wherein the transmitter communicates wirelessly with a receiver in a nearby base station.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the sensor and transmitter is integrated into a fixture comprising at least one of a dermal patch, an armband, or a watch, a pendant, an article of clothing, and a fashion accessory.

32. The fixture in claim 30, wherein the fixture is disposable.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the transmitter and receiver are configured for the detection of patient motion.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the patient motion is an attempt to dislodge indwelling or externally placed medical equipment from said patient.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the transmitter is incorporated into at least one of an endotracheal tube, an IV catheter, a needle, a thorocostomy tube, a urinary catheter, a drainage device, a nasogastric tube, an orogastric tube, a percutaneous feeding tube, a breathing apparatus, an electrode, and a wire.

36. The system of claim 30 wherein the patient motion is an attempt by said patient to climb out of bed or to remove restraints.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the monitor generates an alert when the transmitter enters or leaves the proximity of the receiver.