Device for telephone monitoring of patients having peripheral arterial occlusive disease

• US 5,666,404 A
• Filed: 06/10/1996
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manfred Asrican
• Original Assignee: Manfred Asrican
• Inventors: Gilchrest, Edward A. Jr., Ciccotelli, Ernest J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/660,929
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 379/38, 379/102, 379/106, 379/107, 379/93, 379/99, 128/904, 128/680-683, 128/715
• US Class Current: 379/106.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

A device for post-operative monitoring by telephone the condition of patients having peripheral arterial occlusive disease. A first embodiment of the device includes an inflatable cuff incorporating a piezo electric film element which generates a signal of varying amplitude. A pressure sensor communicating with the cuff allows transmission of the signal only at a pre-determined cuff pressure. The signal is frequency modulated and transmitted through a modem over the telephone line of the patient to the office of the physician, where it is demodulated to provide a varying direct current for operating a chart recorder. Usage of the device need require only five to ten minutes a day, and the patient can telephone the office of the physician prior to transmission of the signal to identify the patient. In a second embodiment, the piezo electric signal is substituted by a pneumatically generated signal.

Claims

1. A device for transmitting data from a first location to provide a reproducible arterial wave form by telephone line transmission comprising:

an inflatable cuff element adapted to engage a part of the body of a user, said cuff element including means for inflating said cuff after body engagement to a predetermined pressure value;

means for indicating to the user the attainment and maintenance of said pressure value;

a piezo-electric member secured to said cuff on an inner surface thereof for generating an electrical analog signal, the voltage of which varies in accordance with pulsatile change of the user;

means communicating said signal to a telephone modem for transmission over a telephone line to a subscriber circuit at a second location, said second location also including a modem for converting a received signal to analog form;

charting means for graphically displaying said received signal;

said means indicating the obtainment and maintenance of pressure value including a solenoid relief valve, and control circuitry for actuating said valve at a point above normal operating pressure, for disabling said valve at normal operating pressure, and for reactivating said valve at an intermediate value therebetween to prevent pressure fluctuation from causing erratic performance;

said means also including means for interrupting transmission of information should the pressure fall below said predetermined pressure value.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, in which said control circuitry for actuating said solenoid relief valve is operated as plural threshold levels;

a first level being at 75 mmHg for initial actuation;

a second level being at 65 mmHg, where the solenoid is disabled, and wherein the device commences transmitting data;

a third level being at 70 mmHg wherein the solenoid is again actuated, and a fourth level being at 60 mmHg wherein an indication is made to reinflate said cuff.