MULTIFUNCTIONAL MEDICAL MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20140266736A1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fit Assist Medical Inc.
• Original Assignee: EM Medical LLC
• Inventors: Cretu-Petra, Eugen
• Granted Patent: US 9,545,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.5
• 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 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6808 Diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/421 the alarm being a temperature change
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device

Abstract

A system for monitoring one or a plurality of patients is disclosed which comprises: i) a plurality of temperature sensors for attachment to the surface of an absorbent article and generating a signal; ii) a transmitter for communicating the signal to a processor; iii) wherein the processor is provided with computer code which, when executed, determines whether a urination or defecation event has occurred in said garment; and iv) display means for displaying said event to a care-giver.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring one or a plurality of patients each wearing an absorbent article for controlling incontinence comprising:

i) a plurality of temperature sensors for removable attachment to the outer surface of said absorbent article, each at a separate defined locations and each generating a signal indicative of temperature measurement;

ii) means for communicating said signal to a processor;

iii) wherein said processor is provided with computer code which, when executed, determines whether a urination or defecation event has occurred in said absorbent article;

iv) means for communicating the occurrence of said event to a care-giver.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer for providing a signal indicative of a change in motion, position or orientation of said article, and means for communicating said signal to said processor.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a temperature sensor for providing a signal indicative of said patient'"'"'s body temperature.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a temperature sensor for providing a signal indicative of the ambient air temperature adjacent said absorbent article.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of patients and a plurality of displays.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensors are connected electrically to said processor.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein said accelerometer comprises a three axis accelerometer connected electrically to an amplifier and communicating with said processor by a radio transmitter or a radio transceiver.

8. A system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a global positioning device communicating with said processor.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising one or more additional sensors each communicating with said processor and selected from the group consisting of a body temperature sensor, air temperature sensor, reflective pulse oximeter, a blood pressure meter and a pulse detector.

10. An absorbent article for use in a system for monitoring incontinence events, comprising:

i) a plurality of temperature sensors for removable attachment to the outer surface of said absorbent article, each at spaced locations and each generating a first signal indicative of temperature measurement at each said sensor;

ii) an accelerometer for providing a second signal indicative of a change in motion, position or orientation of said article;

iii) means for communicating said first and second signal to a processor; and

iv) processing means for determining the type of incontinence event from said temperature measurements, calculating a change in position or orientation or motion of said article and generating a third and fourth signals indicative thereof.

11. A method of detecting and evaluating an incontinence event in a patient wearing an absorbent incontinence garment, comprising:

i) providing a plurality of temperature sensors for attachment to the outer surface of said garment at spaced locations, each said temperature sensor generating a signal indicative of the temperature at said location;

ii) attaching said plurality of temperature sensors and accelerometer for attachment to the surface of said garment at specified locations and each generating a signal;

iii) communicating said signals to a processor;

iv) using said multiple temperature readings to determines whether a urination or defecation event has occurred in said garment based on the location of the sensor and the rate of temperature increase at the sensor;

v) communicating and displaying said events to a caregiver.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of providing an accelerometer for attachment to said garment or patient, generating a signal indicative of the acceleration, position and/or orientation of said garment or patient, and using said indication of said acceleration, position and/or orientation of said garment or patient in addition to said multiple temperature readings to communicate and display said events to a caregiver.

13. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of said processor determining the patient position or orientation to determine whether the patient wearing the garment requires attention.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the further step of said processor determining the ambient air temperature to determine whether the patient wearing the garment requires attention.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising the further step of monitoring the motion of said garment for wound check to determine whether the patient wearing the garment requires attention.