AMBULATORY PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING WITH REMOTE ANALYSIS

• US 20120259233A1
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eric K.Y. Chan, Harold Strandquist
• Original Assignee: Eric K.Y. Chan, Harold Strandquist
• Inventors: Chan, Eric K. Y., Strandquist, Harold
• Application Number:
  US13/442,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20120259233A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/484
• 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 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• 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 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Applicants have disclosed a wireless method for remotely monitoring the physiological status of ambulatory patients by using at least one “cloud” server. Physiological data, including ECG data, is collected by a device worn by a patient and then wirelessly transmitted (e.g., via a cell phone) to the server(s). Remote processing of electrocardiograms (“ECG”) is achieved, in part, by data streaming packet lengths acquired over no less than 3 seconds—3 seconds is typically equivalent to about 3 cardiac cycles (heartbeats)—to provide the quickest response time by clinicians to try to save a heart patient'"'"'s life. Other types of physiological data are monitored by the device, so medical help can be obtained when needed. In this manner, any sudden onset of vicissitudes in a patient'"'"'s well being may be detected and transmitted to the care-giver and patient in near real-time.

Claims

1. A method of remotely monitoring a patient comprising:

a. acquiring physiological data from the patient, on a device worn by the patient wherein;

i. the physiological data comprises packet lengths of data acquired over a minimum of 3 seconds; and

ii. each of the packet lengths comprises data about multiple types of vital signs including blood pressure, respiration and ECG data;

b. wirelessly transmitting bursts each of the packet lengths, as each of the packet lengths is acquired by the device, over the Internet to a remote, cloud-based processing server;

c. breaking down the packet lengths into separate types of vital signs upon receipt by the processing server;

d. analyzing the types of vital signs, separately on respective servers, to determine if there the patient has encountered a sudden medical condition that would require immediate medical assistance; and

e. alerting a clinician, via the server, upon determining a sudden medical condition of the patient, to provide immediate medical help to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing a previous packet of physiological information with a present packet of incoming physiological information to detect sudden changes in near real-time mode, and issue alerts.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the sudden medical condition involves the patient'"'"'s heart rate.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sudden medical condition involves the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm morphology.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sudden medical condition involves the patient'"'"'s breathing.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the sudden medical condition involves the patient'"'"'s blood pressure.

7. A method of remotely monitoring an ambulatory patient comprising:

a. acquiring physiological data from the ambulatory patient, on a device worn by the patient, wherein the physiological data comprises packet lengths of ECG data acquired over a minimum of 3 seconds;

b. wirelessly transmitting individual bursts of each of the packet lengths, as each is acquired by the device, over the Internet to a remote, cloud-based processing server;

c. analyzing each of the packet lengths of ECG data for indications of a medical condition with the patient'"'"'s heart; and

d. alerting a clinician, via the server, upon determining an indication of a medical condition with the patient'"'"'s heart.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

comparing a previous packet of physiological information with a present packet of incoming physiological information to detect sudden changes in near real-time mode, and issue alerts.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a. analyzing each of the packet lengths of ECG data, immediately upon receipt by the server, to determine any absence of a heartbeat of the patient; and

b. expeditiously alerting medical practitioners, via the server, upon determining an absence of a heartbeat, to send medical help to the patient.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

upon determining an indication of arrhythmia, sending an alert to the device worn by the patient to warn the patient to seek medical treatment.

11. A method of remotely monitoring an ambulatory patient comprising:

a. acquiring physiological data from the ambulatory patient, on a device worn by the patient, wherein the physiological data comprises packet lengths of data acquired over a minimum of 3 seconds;

b. wirelessly transmitting bursts each of the packet lengths, as each of the packet lengths is acquired by the device, over the Internet to a remote, cloud-based processing server;

c. analyzing each of the packet lengths of physiological data, immediately upon receipt by the server, to determine if the patient has encountered a sudden medical condition that would require immediate medical assistance; and

d. expeditiously alerting a clinician, via the server, upon determining the sudden medical condition of the patient, to send medical help to the patient.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the sudden medical condition is cardiac arrest.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the sudden medical condition involves cardiac rhythm.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the sudden medical condition involves blood pressure.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the sudden medical condition involves breathing.