MONITORING PNEUMOCARDIAL FUNCTION

• US 20170000357A1
• Filed: 11/27/2014
• Published: 01/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Sydney University
• Original Assignee: University of Western Sydney
• Inventors: GARGIULO, Gaetano, BREEN, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 10,182,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/0205 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 5/067 using accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0806 by whole-body plethysmography measuring blood flow using plethysmography A61B5/0295; impedance plethysmography A61B5/053; measuring volume of the body or parts thereof A61B5/1073
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

A pneumocardial function monitor includes a carrier configured to be mounted about at least a part of a trunk of a body of a subject. A sensing arrangement is mounted on the carrier, the sensing arrangement including at least one element for monitoring changes in volume of the part of the subject'"'"'s body. A signal processing module is in communication with the sensing arrangement for processing signals output from the sensing arrangement, the signal processing module having at least one output for outputting a signal related to respiratory function and/or cardiac function.

Claims

1. A pneumocardial function monitor comprising:

a carrier configured to be mounted about at least a part of a trunk of a body of a subject;

a sensor mounted on the carrier, the sensor comprising at least one monitor configured to monitor changes in volume of the part of the subject'"'"'s body; and

a signal processor in communication with the sensor configured to process signals output from the sensor, the signal processor having at least one output configured to transmit a signal related at least to respiratory function.

2. The monitor of claim 1 in which the signal processor has at least two outputs, a first output configured to transmit the signal related to respiratory function and a second output configured to transmit a signal related to cardiac function.

3. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the carrier is configured to insulate the sensor from the subject'"'"'s skin.

4. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of detectors which operate together to monitor at least respiratory function.

5. The monitor of claim 4, wherein at least one detector of the plurality of detectors is also configured to monitor cardiac function.

6. The monitor of claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises a pair of resistive bands arranged in spaced relationship.

7. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a helically arranged band carried by the carrier.

8. The monitor of claim 7, wherein the helically arranged band is an electro-resistive band.

9. The monitor of claim 6, wherein each band is of a resiliently flexible material, and wherein resistivity of the bands increasing with extension.

10. The monitor of claim 9, wherein each band is extended at rest to provide a resting resistance.

11. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises a filter configured to filter out artifact signals.

12. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises amplification circuitry configured to amplify signals from the sensor.

13. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a position detector configured to monitor a position of the body of the subject.

14. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature monitor configured to monitor core temperature of the body of the subject.

15. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an acoustic sensor configured to sense sounds emitted by the subject.

16. A method of monitoring pneumocardial function, the method comprising:

mounting at least one sensor about a part of a trunk of a body of a subject;

using the at least one sensor to monitor variations in volume of the part of the subject'"'"'s body;

processing data output by the at least one sensor; and

outputting a signal relating at least to respiratory function.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising processing the data to output a further signal relating to cardiac function.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising mounting a plurality of sensors about the part of the subject'"'"'s body, the sensors being configured to monitor both respiratory function and cardiac function.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising monitoring changes in resistivity of the sensors to obtain data on at least one of respiratory function and cardiac function.