Electronic patient diary and patient monitoring process

• US 4,975,842 A
• Filed: 08/11/1988
• Issued: 12/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schering Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Schering Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Darrow, William R., Firman, Robert H., Kushner, Harold K.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kibby, Steve
• Application Number:
  US07/231,298
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413.02, 364/413.03, 364/569
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/923 by comparison of patient data to other data

Abstract

An electronic health care diary is provided for a patient logging data concerning predetermined health conditions, such as for monitoring angina attacks. Upon the onset of e.g. the angina attack the patient presses a start button whereupon a real time clock generates a data and time signal which is stored in a memory along with the fact that the episode started. When the episode is over the patient presses a "stop" switch which generates another date and time signal from the real time clock and stores it in memory along with the fact that the episode terminated. A multi-position switch is actuated by the patient to indicate the extent of the condition, such as the severity of the attack. Optionally, a switch can be provided for correcting a previous erroneous entry, and another switch indicating the time and dosage of any medication. Data logged in the memory can be downloaded through a communications port and programming instructions can be uploaded into the device. An appropriate display provides various messages for the user.

Claims

1. A portable electronic health care diary, adapted to be carried about by the patient, for recording the duration and characteristics of periodic health condition episodes, such as angina attacks, which comprises

(a) a microprocessor system including an accessible memory and a continuous clock/calendar,

(b) first patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory an "onset" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(c) second patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory a "termination" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(d) third patient-operable control means effective only after operation of said second control means and adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to generate and record in said memory an additional code signifying the patient'"'"'s subjective evaluation of the characteristics of the episode recorded by said "onset" and "termination" codes,

(e) means providing for periodic retrieval of the data recorded in said accessible memory to enable analysis of the timing, frequency and characteristics of said episodes,

(f) said third patient-operable control means comprising an adjustable element for generating a signal indicating characteristics of the episode and switch-type control means for causing said microprocessor to record said characteristics.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized by

(a) said last-mentioned switch-type control means comprising said second patient-operable control means, and

(b) circuit means operable when said second patient-operable control means is actuated in succession, first to cause said microprocessor to record termination of the episode and second to cause said microprocessor to record the characteristics thereof as determined by said adjustable element.

3. A portable electronic health care diary, adapted to be carried about by the patient, for recording the duration and characteristics of periodic health condition episodes, such as angina attacks, which comprises

(a) a microprocessor system including an accessible memory and a continuous clock/calendar,

(b) first patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory an "onset" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(c) second patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory a "termination" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(d) third patient-operable control means, including a patient-adjustable element, effective only after operation of said second control means and adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory an additional code signifying the patient'"'"'s subjective evaluation of the characteristics of the episode recorded by said "onset" and "termination" codes,

(e) means providing for periodic retrieval of the data recorded in said accessible memory to enable analysis of the timing, frequency and characteristics of said episodes,

(f) said microprocessor including delay circuit means enabling operation of said third patient-operable control means only during a brief time period immediately following actuation of said second patient-operable control means.

4. A portable electronic health care diary, adapted to be carried about by the patient, for recording the duration and characteristics of periodic health condition episodes, such as angina attacks, which comprises

(a) a microprocessor system including an accessible memory and a continuous clock/calendar,

(b) first patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory an "onset" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(c) second patient-operable control means adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory a "termination" code, including the time and date of such actuation,

(d) adjustable patient-operable control means effective after operation of said second control means and adapted when actuated by the patient to cause said microprocessor to record in said memory an additional code signifying the patient'"'"'s subjective evaluation of the characteristics of the episode recorded by said "onset" and "termination" codes,

(e) means providing for periodic retrieval of the data recorded in said accessible memory to enable analysis of the timing, frequency and characteristics of said episodes,

(f) said first patient-operable control means including means for initiating a "power on" condition of said microprocessor,

(g) said second patient-operable control means including means for initiating a "power off" condition of said microprocessor,

(h) said microprocessor including timer means for delaying said "power off" condition for a period sufficient to enable recording of said subjective evaluation.