Universal Body Sensor Network

• US 20110152632A1
• Filed: 08/06/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E-Vitae Pte. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: E-Vitae Pte. Ltd.
• Inventors: Khaled, Mehdi, Le Neel, Olivier
• Application Number:
  US13/057,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• 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 5/11 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 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A sensor module (2A00, 2B00, 2C00) for an on-body sensor (1A00, 1B00) is provided. The sensor (1A00, 1B00) is intended for connecting to the sensor module (2A00, 2B00, 2C00) and for transmitting an analog value of a patient (18). The sensor module (2A00, 2B00, 2C00) comprises a converter means, a storage means, a determining means, and a transmitting means. The converter means (37) converts the analog value of the patient (18) to its digital format whilst the storage means (40, 41) stores the digital value. The determining means (35) determines a parameter of the patient (18) using a value of the digital value to and the transmitting means (39) sends data regarding the parameter.

Claims

1. A sensor module for a patient on-body sensor, the sensor module comprising

a device for providing electrical power to a patient on-body sensor,

a converter means for converting an analog patient on-body sensor signal to a digital signal,

a storage means for storing a patient on-body sensor identifier information and for storing the digital signal,

a determining means for determining a parameter of the patient using a value of the digital signal, and

a transmitting means for sending data regarding the parameter and the patient on-body sensor identifier information.

2. A sensor module of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means is provided for sending a patient identifier information.

6. A sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module further comprises a clock for recording a timing of the analog signal.

8. A sensor module of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises a means for wired transmission of the data regarding the parameter.

9. A sensor module of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises a means for wireless transmission of the data regarding the parameter.

10. A monitoring device of a Body Area Network comprising

a sensor module of claim 1 and

a sensor that is connected to the sensor module,

wherein the sensor receives electrical power from the sensor module and wherein a storage means of the sensor module comprises a distinguishing sensor identifier information.

11. A sensor hub for receiving a pre-determined signal from at least one monitoring device of claim 10, processing the pre-determined signal, and transmitting the processed signal to a wrist monitor.

12. A sensor hub of claim 11 wherein the pre-determined signal comprises data regarding a parameter of a patient.

13. A Body Area Network that comprises

at least one monitoring device claim 10, and

a sensor hub of claim 11 that is connected to the at least one monitoring device.

wherein a sensor module of the monitoring device sends a distinguishing sensor identifier information for a sensor of the monitoring device to the sensor hub.

14. A Body Area Network of claim 13, wherein the sensor hub comprises a summary means for providing a periodic summary of data regarding a parameter of a patient.

15. A Body Area Network of claim 14, wherein the sensor hub comprises a sending means for sending the periodic summary.

23. A Body Area Network comprising

with a plurality of monitoring devices of claim 10,

a sensor hub of claim 11,

a monitoring device,

a cell phone, and

a control centre,

the body area network further comprising

a communication link between the sensor hub and the monitoring device, for sending data regarding a parameter of a patient and a patient on-body sensor identifier information from a monitoring device to the sensor hub,

a communication link between the monitoring device and the cell phone, for sending the data from the monitoring device to the cell phone, and

a communication link between the cell phone and the control centre, for sending the data from the cell phone to the control centre.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

16. A method of operating a sensor module for an on-body sensor, the method comprising

providing electrical power to the sensor,

the sensor transmitting an analog signal of a patient to the sensor module,

converting the analog signal to a digital signal,

storing the digital signal,

determining a parameter of the patient using a value of the digital signal,

incorporating data regarding a sensor identifier into data regarding the parameter of the patient, and

sending the data regarding the parameter of the patient.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. A method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises incorporating data regarding a timing of the digital signal into the data regarding the parameter of the patient.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

24. A method for operating a Body Area Network comprising

sending data regarding a parameter of a patient and a patient on-body sensor identifier information from a monitoring device to a sensor hub,

sending the data from the monitoring device to a cell phone, and

sending the data from the cell phone to a control centre.