INTERROGATED TELEMETRY ALARM SYSTEM FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING

• US 3,639,907 A
• Filed: 09/02/1969
• Issued: 02/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch
• Original Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch
• Inventors: Greatbatch, Wilson
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US04/854,582
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/150,311,183 346/33ME 128/2.1A,2.5R
• US Class Current: 340/870.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/363 Detecting tachycardia or bradycardia
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/10 using single different frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring from a single station a physiological condition of each of a plurality of remotely located patients. A radio transmitter at the station generates sequentially a plurality of tone signals, one for each patient and each of a different frequency, on a common carrier. A radio receiver with each patient has a band pass corresponding to a particular one of the tone signals. Each receiver when addressed activates a radio transmitter with the patient for transmitting to a single receiver at the station a coded signal indicative of the physiological state of the patient, derived from signal generating means operatively connected to the patient. The signals received at the station are sequentially routed, decoded, and applied to suitable indicators.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring from a single station a physiological condition of each of a plurality of remotely located patients comprising:

a. a radio receiver with each patient and each receiver having a different frequency passband;

b. a radio transmitter with each patient and connected in controlled relation to said receiver;

c. a signal producing means adapted to be operatively connected to each patient for providing electrical signals having a parameter which varies in accordance with changes in a physiological characteristic of the particular patient;

d. decision circuit means with each patient and having an input coupled to the output of said signal producing means, said decision circuit means comparing the variations in said parameter with a predetermined normal value and providing an output alarm signal in response to abnormal variations in said parameter;

e. coding means with each patient coupled to said decision circuit means and to said transmitter whereby the radiofrequency signal generated by each transmitter is coded in terms of the alarm state of the physiological characteristic of the particular patient;

f. a radio transmitter at said station for generating sequentially a plurality of signals, the number being equal to the total number of patients being monitored and the frequency of each one corresponding to a particular passband of one of said receivers whereby said transmitter with each patient is periodically interrogated;

g. a radio receiver at said station for receiving signals from said transmitter with each patient;

h. decoding means connected to the output of said station receiver and operative sequentially in synchronism with said station transmitter for decoding the physiological state signal from each patient; and

i. a plurality of indicating means, one for each patient, operatively connected to said decoding means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each signal producing means comprises:

a. an input terminal adapted to be operatively connected to the particular patient for sensing electrical signals indicative of cardiac behavior; and

b. an amplifier having an input connected to said terminal and an output; and

c. decision circuit means having an input connected to the output of said amplifier, and wherein said decision circuit provides output alarm signals in response to an abnormal rate of signals applied to the input thereof.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including magnetic tape recording means, the recording element of which is connected to the output of said amplifier and the drive means of which is connected in controlled relation to the output of said decision circuit for stopping said tape recording means in response to an alarm signal.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means connected in controlled relation to the output of said decision circuit for coupling the output of said amplifier directly to said patient transmitter in response to an alarm signal.