METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF PRE-FAINTING AND OTHER CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS TO THE HEALTH OF A PATIENT

• US 20100268040A1
• Filed: 12/10/2008
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd (Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd (Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ben-Oren, Ilan, Ilan, Yaron
• Application Number:
  US12/747,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268040A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• 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 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• 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: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

Included herein are embodiments relating to detecting and warning of the presence of pre-fainting and other conditions that may be hazardous to the health of a patient having one or more types of disease or disorder. A wide range of physiological and physical parameters can be monitored and logically and/or mathematically related to determine the value of a new parameter, the risk parameter alpha. The parameters that appear in the function can be selected according to the patient'"'"'s known pathological condition. An initial threshold value for alpha can be determined and compared with a current value of alpha. If the comparison shows that there exists danger of the onset of a pre-fainting and/or other medically hazardous condition, a warning signal can be emitted. The current value of alpha can be continually determined and, if relevant, updated according to the history of the patient.

Claims

1. A method for the detection, qualitative evaluation, and warning of the presence of pre-fainting and other conditions that are hazardous to the health of a patient having one or more types of disease/disorder;

said method comprising the following steps;

a. monitoring at least one physiological parameter selected according to the patient'"'"'s known pathological condition;

b. determining the instantaneous value of the risk parameter (alpha(t));

c. assigning to alpha(t) at least one threshold value (alpha) whose value is determined based on known normal values as determined by statistical studies;

d. comparing the value of alpha(t) to the current value of alpha;

e. emitting a warning signal if the comparison shows that the value of alpha(t) is different from the value of alpha by an amount that exceeds a value predetermined for said patient;

f. using said instantaneous monitored values of said parameter to update alpha(t); and

g. repeating steps d to f.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the additional step of re-determining and if relevant updating said current value of alpha according to the history of the patient between steps e and f.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein emitting a warning signal comprises presenting the probability that a pre-fainting or other condition that is hazardous to the health of the patient is occurring or will occur.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein self-learning techniques are used to assist in continually updating the value of alpha.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein self-learning techniques are used to assist in continually updating a function used to determine the value of alpha(t).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

a. at least one additional physiological or physical parameter, which is selected according to the patient'"'"'s known pathological condition, is monitored;

b. the instantaneous value of the risk parameter (alpha(t)) is determined from a function that combines the measured values of said one selected physiological parameter and of said at least one additional parameter; and

c. the threshold value (alpha) is determined by statistical studies.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein combination of the measured values of the parameters is done mathematically.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein combination of measured values of the parameters is done logically.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the threshold value (alpha) is determined by combining the known normal values of the selected parameter and the known normal values the at least one additional parameter.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the threshold value (alpha) is determined by using normal values of the combination of the selected parameter and the at least one additional parameter.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein self-learning techniques are used to assist in continually updating one or both of the terms and parameters that comprise the function used to determine the value of alpha(t) and the threshold value (alpha).

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, instead of emitting a warning signal, a new parameter is selected and the steps of the method are carried out using said new parameter.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein, instead of emitting a warning signal, a new set of parameters comprising additional or different parameters is selected and the steps of the method are carried out using said new set of parameters.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the physiological parameters monitored are selected from the list comprising:

a. heart rate;

b. low frequency modulation of pulse;

c. oxygen saturation;

d. breath rate;

e. heart rhythm, including the detection of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, any premature beats, or nodal rhythm;

f. body temperature;

g. blood sugar;

h. quantities of any electrolyte;

i. blood acid base balance;

j. PCO₂ levels;

k. blood pressure;

l. blood flow;

m. tissue conductivity;

n. SPO₂;

o. degree of sweating;

p. blood flow in small vessels;

q. Pulse Transit Time;

r. ECG;

s. impedance plethysmography;

t. acoustic breath detection;

u. drug levels;

v. acid-base balance in the serum; and

w. EtCO₂.

15. A method according to claim 6, wherein the physical parameters are selected from the list comprising:

a. number of steps taken;

b. steps rate;

c. an indication of physical movement of the body as a whole; and

d. an indication of physical movement of parts of the body.

16. A system for carrying out the method of claim 1, said system comprising:

a. a processor;

b. at least one sensor to measure the appropriate physiological and physical parameters; and

c. a power supply.

17. A system according to claim 16 additionally comprising one or more of the following:

a. communication means;

b. memory means;

c. a GPS device;

d. a loudspeaker;

e. a microphone;

f. an input device;

g. internal communication means for communicating with sensors that are located at remote or not easily accessible locations on the body; and

h. means for waking the patient from an unconscious state.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein said system is portable and attached to the body of the patient as he carries out his normal daily routine.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein said system is designed for stationary use at home or in a hospital, clinic, doctor'"'"'s office, or similar setting.