PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEM WITH BEDSHEET-MOUNTED ANTENNA

• US 3,638,642 A
• Filed: 03/13/1970
• Issued: 02/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert E. Heflin Sr
• Original Assignee: Albert E. Heflin Sr
• Inventors: Heflin, Albert E. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/019,439
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.5Q,2.5R,2.6G,2.6R,2.1A,2.1R 340/224,279,416 343/718,720,794,809,908
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A patient monitoring system in which biological data are sensed by a self-contained unit attached to the patient, the unit containing a very low-powered radio transmitter. A radio receiver is coupled to an antenna which is incorporated in the bed covering in such a manner as to pickup signals from the transmitter regardless of the position of the patient on the bed, the antenna being flexible to avoid discomfort to the patient and to withstand motion of the patient. The metal bedframe acts as a shield against unwanted radio frequency signals. Suitable display and recording apparatus can be connected to the receiver at the bedside or at a remote location.

Claims

1. A patient monitoring system comprising, a sensor unit for attachment to a patient with sensors that sense certain biological functions and provide output signals in response thereto, radio transmitter means responsive to said output signals for transmitting signals corresponding to said output signals, a receiving antenna comprising a flexible bed covering sheet for fitting over a bed and under a patient and having a metallized plastic material secured on portions thereof, lead out conductors integral with said antenna and of similar material and extending to the edge of the bed covering element, and readout instrumentation means having a radio receiver connected to said conductor for receiving the transmitted signals.

2. A patient monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 in which, said metallized plastic material is deposed on said bed covering sheet in the form of a dipole antenna structure with each pole having a plurality of arms extending substantially horizontally on the bed when the flexible bed covering is laid on the bed, and said arms are substantially radial about a common center between the dipoles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least portions of the bed are of metal and comprise an interference shield for said antenna.