Continuous Patient Monitoring

• US 20150077268A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Lane, John A., Alisanski, Kristin Ann, Nguyen, Vuong B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.09
• 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 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system for providing continuous monitoring of a patient includes: a first monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the first monitor device being a contactless device; and a second monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the second monitor device including one or more sensors contacting the patient; wherein, upon an alarm condition by the first monitor device, the second monitor device is configured to measure a physiological attribute and suppress the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects a non-alarm condition.

Claims

1. A system for providing continuous monitoring of a patient, the system comprising:

a first monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the first monitor device being a contactless device; and

a second monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the second monitor device including one or more sensors contacting the patient;

wherein, upon an alarm condition by the first monitor device, the second monitor device is configured to measure a physiological attribute and suppress the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects a non-alarm condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second monitor device allows the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects an alarm condition.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first monitor device includes a piezoelectric device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the piezoelectric device is positioned under a mattress or cushion of a structure upon which the patient is laid.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric device detects the patient'"'"'s heart rate, respiration rate, and patient movement.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second monitor device inflates a blood pressure cuff to estimate movement of the patient.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the blood pressure cuff is inflated to a sub-measurement pressure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein suppression of the alarm condition by the second monitor device is limited to a specified time period.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second monitor device allows the alarm condition to be transmitted when the specified time period expires and the first monitor device continues to issue the alarm condition.

10. A system for providing continuous monitoring of a patient, the system comprising:

a first monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the first monitor device being a piezoelectric device that measures the physiological attributes without contact, and wherein the physiological attributes including heart rate, respiration rate, and patient movement; and

a second monitor device configured to measure one or more physiological attributes associated with the patient, the second monitor device including one or more sensors contacting the patient;

wherein, upon an alarm condition by the first monitor device, the second monitor device is configured to measure a physiological attribute and either;

(i) suppress the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects a non-alarm condition;

or

(ii) allow the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects an alarm condition.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric device is positioned under a mattress of a bed upon which the patient is laid.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the second monitor device inflates a blood pressure cuff to estimate movement of the patient.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the blood pressure cuff is inflated to a sub-measurement pressure.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein suppression of the alarm condition by the second monitor device is limited to a specified time period.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second monitor device allows the alarm condition to be transmitted when the specified time period expires and the first monitor device continues to issue the alarm condition.

16. A method for continuously monitoring a patient, the method comprising:

measuring a first physiological attribute using a first monitor device, the first monitor device being a contactless device;

detecting an alarm condition by the first monitor device;

measuring a second physiological attribute using a second monitor device, the second monitor device including one or more sensors contacting the patient; and

suppressing the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects a non-alarm condition.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the alarm condition when the second monitor device detects an alarm condition.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first monitor device includes a piezoelectric device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning the piezoelectric device under a mattress of a bed upon which the patient is laid.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising trending data from the first and second monitor devices to determine a state of recovery for the patient.