MOTION TRACKING METHOD FOR SONOGRAPHER

• US 20170071468A1
• Filed: 05/25/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Inventors: Monaghan, Daniel A., La Pietra, Lynn M., Anand, Ajay
• Application Number:
  US15/163,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20170071468A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/107 Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4538 Evaluating a particular part of the muscoloskeletal system or a particular medical condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5276 due to motion
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method records a biometric signal received from a sensor that is coupled to the skin, clothing, or seating of a sonographer and identifies a pattern from the recorded signal, wherein the pattern relates to sonographer activity for an ultrasound exam. Feedback information about the sonographer activity is provided according to an analysis of the identified pattern.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

recording a biometric signal received from a sensor that is coupled to the skin, clothing, or seating of a sonographer;

identifying a pattern from the recorded signal, wherein the pattern relates to sonographer activity for an ultrasound exam; and

providing feedback information about the sonographer activity in response to an analysis of the identified pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric signal indicates sonographer movement.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric signal indicates a body temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis comprises comparing the identified pattern with a stored pattern.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein providing feedback comprises providing audible feedback.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of the identified pattern relates to size characteristics of a patient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of the identified pattern relates to size, age, or weight characteristics of the sonographer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is a first signal and wherein the sensor is a first sensor and further comprising recording a second biometric signal from a second sensor that is coupled to the skin or clothing of the sonographer and wherein identifying the pattern uses both the first and second signals.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the identified pattern indicates extension of a limb of the sonographer.

11. A method comprising:

coupling at least one biometric sensor to the skin or clothing of a sonographer;

monitoring a signal from the at least one coupled biometric sensor relating to sonographer movement during an ultrasound examination; and

providing feedback about sonographer activity to the sonographer according to the monitored signal from the at least one sensor.

12. A method, comprising:

attaching at least one sensor to the skin, clothing, or seating of a sonographer;

monitoring a characteristic of the at least one sensor as the sonographer conducts work activities; and

providing feedback to the sonographer regarding the conducted work activities based on the monitored characteristic of the at least one sensor.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the feedback is provided visually or audibly.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the feedback is transmitted or stored to a computer.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of sensors are applied to the skin or clothing.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitored characteristic relates to sonographer posture.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitored characteristic relates to sonographer motion patterns.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitored characteristic relates to sonographer exertion.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitored characteristic is indicative of Musculoskeletal Disorder.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein providing feedback comprises using a feedback mode profile associated with the sonographer.