Multi-channel ventilation monitor and method

• US 4,686,999 A
• Filed: 04/10/1985
• Issued: 08/18/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Adaptive Monitors Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tri Fund Research Corp.
• Inventors: Reuss, James L., Yates, George H., Campen, George V., Scarfone, Frank A., Snyder, Leon T.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/753,069
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 128/670, 128/671, 128/721, 128/722, 128/723, 128/773, 128/716
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• 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

The ventilation monitor of this invention includes a plurality of discrete sensors and a plurality of independent channels for processing the input signals from each of the discrete sensors. The principle category of sensor used in conjunction with this ventilation monitor is capable of the reception of information associated with breathing and cardiovascular movement. A second category of the sensor used in conjunction with this ventilation monitor is capable of the reception of audible sounds associated with breathing. Each of the individual input signals from these sensors is initially verified as being indicative of the sensation being monitored and, thereafter, compared in real time with one another and criteria stored within a microprocessor. The purpose of the comparison is to verify a normal breathing pattern and signal an alarm when the breathing pattern is abnormal. The ventilation monitor is also provided with means to dynamically adjust the gain and frequency response of each channel to accommodate changes in the monitored subject'"'"'s position and physiological states.

Claims

1. A multi-channel ventilation monitor for real-time monitoring of multiple physilogical activities associated with respiration of a monitored subject, involving comparison of a plurality of discrete data signals indicative of each such activity, said monitor comprising, in combination:

(a) a plurality of sensors for detection of discrete physiological activity indicative of breathing activity, each of said sensed physilogical activity being converted by a transducer to data signals which are characteristic of the sensed physiological activity;

(b) a plurality of discrete information processing channels for processing of the physiological data signal from each sensor, each such physiological data signals being processed in a separate channel;

(c) a signal processing means for each such channel for verifying the quality of each such signal;

(d) means for dynamic adjustment of the gain and frequency response for each of the sensed physiological activity to reflect trends in the data signal for each such physilogical activity;

(e) means for comparison of the wave form of each such signal to certain standards, including wave forms of a sensed physilogical activity which have been stored in a data base and wave forms of sensed physiological activity which are indicative of a trend in a sensed activity for the monitored subject; and

(f) means for generation of an output signal to indicate abnormal physilogical activity associated with respiration.

2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensors include a motion detector, contained within a mattress, and an acoustic sensor for detection of audible sounds indicative of breathing activity.

3. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the adjustment in the gain of the data signal for each of the sensed physiological activities is in response to changes in the level of the sensed physiological activity.

4. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the comparison of the wave form of the signal data to wave forms which are stored in a data base enables the monitor to effectively differentiate between a data signal which is indicative of a sensed physiological activity and a data signal which is artifact.

5. The monitor of claim 1, further including:

(a) means for assignment of priorities among the various perceived abnormal activity states; and

(b) means for arbitration between the various abnormal activity states, based upon assignment of priorities, prior to the initiation of an alarm.

6. A multi-channel ventilation monitor for real-time monitoring of multiple physiological activities associated with respiratory and cardiovascular movement of a monitored subject, involving comparison of a plurality of discrete data signals indicative of each such activity, said monitor comprising, in combination:

(a) a plurality of sensors, at least one of which being provided for detection of movement indicative of respiratory activity and for detection of movement indicative of cardiovascular activity, each of said sensed physiological activity being converted by a transducer to data signals which are characteristic of each of the sensed physiological activity;

(b) a plurality of discrete information processing channels for processing the physiological data signals from each sensor, each such physiological data signals being processed in a separate channel;

(c) a signal processing means for each such channel for verifying the quality of each such signal;

(d) means for dynamic adjustment of the gain and frequency response for each of the sensed physiological activity to reflect trends in the data signal for each such physiological activity; and

(e) means for comparison of the wave form of each such signal to certain standards, including wave forms of a sensed physiological activity which have been stored in a data base and wave forms of sensed physiological activity which are indicative of a trend in a sensed activity for the monitored subject; and

(f) means for generation of an output signal indicative of abnormal movement associated with breathing and/or cardiovascular activity.

7. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the sensors include a motion detector, contained within a mattress, and an acoustic sensor for detection of audible sounds indicative of breathing activity.

8. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the adjustment in the gain of the data signal for each of the sensed physiological activities is in response to changes in the level of the sensed physiological activity.

9. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the comparison of the wave form of the signal data to wave forms which are stored in a data base enables the monitor to effectively differentiate between a data signal which is indicative of a sensed physiological activity and a data signal which is artifact.

10. A multi-channel ventilation monitor for real-time monitoring of multiple physiological activities indicative of respiration by measurement of the immediate ambient environment of the monitored patient for discrete data signals indicative of each such activity state, said monitor comprising, in combination:

(a) a plurality of sensors for detection, within the immediate ambient environment of the monitored subject, discrete physiological activity indicative of breathing activity, each of said sensed physiological activity being converted by a transducer to signal data which are characteristic of the sensed physiological activity;

(b) a plurality of discrete information processing channels for processing the physiological data signals from each sensor, each such physiological data signals being processed in a separate channel;

(c) a signal processing means for each such channel for verifying the quality of each such signal;

(d) means for dynamic adjustment of the gain and frequency response for each of the sensed physiological activity to reflect trends in the data signal for each such physiological activity; and

(e) means for comparision of the wave form of each such signal to certain standards, including wave forms of a sensed physiological activity which have been stored in a data base and wave forms of sensed physiological activity which are indicative of a trend in a sensed activity for the monitored subject; and

(f) means for generation of an output signal to indicate abnormal respiratory activity.

11. The monitor of claim 10, wherein the sensors include a motion detector, contained within a mattress, and an acoustic sensor for detection of audible sounds indicative of breathing activity.

12. The monitor of claim 10, wherein the adjustment in the gain of the data signal for each of the sensed physiological activities is in response to changes in the level of the sensed physiological activity.

13. The monitor of claim 10, wherein the comparison of the wave form of the signal data to wave forms which are stored in a data base enables the monitor to effectively differentiate between a data signal which is indicative of a sensed physiological activity and a data signal which is artifact.

14. In a method for real-time monitoring of multiple physiological activities indicative of respiration of a monitored subject, involving sensing of the physiological activity, generation of a data signal indicative of such physiological activity, processing of the data signal and comparison of the data signal to certain standards and/or physician defined parameters, the improvement comprising:

(a) providing

(i) a plurality of sensors for detection of discrete physiological activity indicative of breathing activity, each of said sensed physiological activity being converted by a transducer to data signals which are characteristic of the sensed physiological activity;

(ii) a plurality of discrete information processing channels for processing the physiological data signals from each sensor, each such physiological data signals being processed in a separate channel; and

(iii) a signal processing means for each such channel for verifying the quality of each such signal;

(b) sensing a plurality of physiological activities indicative of breathing activity and generating data signals indicative of each such activity;

(c) dynamically adjusting the gain and frequency response for each of the sensed physiological activity to reflect trends in the data signal for each such physiological activity;

(d) comparing the wave form of each such signal to certain standards, including wave forms of a sensed physiological activity which have been stored in a data base and wave forms of sensed physiological activity which are indicative of a trend in a sensed activity for the monitored subject; and

(e) generating an output signal to indicate abnormal respiratory activity.