BODY-WORN PULSE OXIMETER

• US 20100324388A1
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: MOON, Jim, BANET, Matt, DHILLON, Marshal, McCOMBIE, Devin
• Application Number:
  US12/559,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20100324388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02125 of pulse wave propagation time
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02225 using the oscillometric method
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7239 using differentiation including higher order derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B

Abstract

The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient'"'"'s thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a patient, comprising:

an oximetry sensor comprising a photodetector and a first and second light source, the photodetector configured to generate a first signal by detecting radiation from the first light source after it irradiates the patient, and a second signal by detecting radiation from the second light source after it irradiates the patient, the oximetry sensor comprising a first cable;

an ECG system comprising an electrical circuit connected to at least two electrodes attached to the patient to measure an ECG signal, the ECG system configured to be positioned on a location selected from the patient'"'"'s arm and chest and comprising a second cable;

an oscillometric blood pressure monitoring system comprising a pump and a cuff attached to the patient to measure an oscillometric blood pressure value, the oscillometric blood pressure monitoring system configured to be positioned on the patient'"'"'s arm and comprising a third cable;

a motion sensor configured to generate a motion signal representing motion of a part of the patient'"'"'s body it is attached to;

a processing unit configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body and connected to the oximetry sensor through the first cable to receive the first and second signals, to the ECG system through the second cable to receive the ECG signal, to the oscillometric blood pressure monitoring system through the third cable to receive an oscillometric blood pressure value, and to the motion sensor to receive the motion signal, the processing unit comprising a processor configured to process;

i) the first and second signals to determine a value for oxygen saturation;

ii) the ECG waveform, oscillometric blood pressure value, and at least one of the first and second signals to determine a blood pressure value; and

iii) the motion signal to determine one of the patient'"'"'s posture and activity level.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s wrist.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processing unit comprises a first input port to receive the first cable, a second input port to receive the second cable, and a third input port to receive the third cable.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second and third input ports are both serial ports configured to receive digital signals.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second and third input ports are configured to operate on a common communication protocol.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the second and third input ports are located on a common side of the processing unit.

8. These system of claim 7, wherein a first side portion of the processing unit comprises the first input port, and a second side portion located on an opposite end of the processing unit comprises the second and third input ports.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second cable comprises the motion sensor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the motion sensor is positioned along an axial extent of the second cable.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein a single housing comprises the ECG system and the motion sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second cable further comprises a second motion sensor positioned along an axial extent of the second cable.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit comprises a third motion sensor.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the housing is comprised by a terminal end of the second cable.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third motion sensors are accelerometers.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises a touchpanel display.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the touchpanel display is configured to render a first user interface that displays information describing oxygen saturation, a second user interface that displays information describing blood pressure, and a third user interface that displays information describing ECG signals.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises a barcode scanner.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processing unit is further configured to render a user interface corresponding to a medical professional after the barcode scanner scans a barcode.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises a speaker.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the processing unit is further configured to generate audible voice messages through the speaker.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises a wireless transmitter.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with a network.

2. A system for monitoring oxygen saturation from a patient, comprising:

an optical sensor configured to generate an optical signal;

an ECG sensor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s chest and generate a digital ECG signal;

a motion sensor configured to generate a motion signal; and

a processing unit configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body and comprising separate input ports that connect to the optical sensor, the ECG sensor and motion sensor, the processing unit configured to determine at least two unique vital signs by collectively processing the optical signal, ECG signal, and motion signal.