Apparatus for non-instrusively measuring health parameters of a subject and method of use thereof
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring health parameters of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising:
- a network, comprising;
a computer;
a remote node accessing the computer;
a data storage device receiving and storing data acquired by the system; and
a data analysis means in the computer for analyzing acquired data;
a physiological monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure physiological parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit parameter signals corresponding to measurements of the physiological parameters to the data storage device;
a behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure behavioral and cognitive parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit behavioral and cognitive signals corresponding to measurements of the behavioral and cognitive parameters to the data storage device; and
a passive personal tracking subsystem coupled to the network, operative to generate tracking signals from tracking transmitters associated with each subject, said tracking signals corresponding to the identities and locations of each of the plurality of ambulatory subjects;
wherein the data analysis means is operative to associate the tracking signal of a first subject with a parameter signal of the first subject or a behavioral and cognitive signal of the first subject to form a data record.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated subject monitoring system facilitates measurement, collection and analysis of data pertaining to the health status of a subject. The system includes a network-coupled computer and subsystems monitoring subject location within a defined space and the curtilage thereof and obtaining measurements of a subject'"'"'s physiological or behavioral/cognitive parameters within the defined space. Parameter data is obtained primarily passively, without the cooperation or active participation of the subject. A method of monitoring the physiological and behavioral/cognitive health status of an ambulatory subject involves monitoring in a primarily passive fashion, irrespective of the active collaboration of the subject. Subject health indicia parameters are continuously monitored, sampled and recorded. Captured values are compared to initial baseline values established for each of the measured parameters as well as to the trend for the parameter of that subject. Readings falling outside the boundaries trigger a signal to be sent to an appropriate party.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring health parameters of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising:
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a network, comprising;
a computer;
a remote node accessing the computer;
a data storage device receiving and storing data acquired by the system; and
a data analysis means in the computer for analyzing acquired data;
a physiological monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure physiological parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit parameter signals corresponding to measurements of the physiological parameters to the data storage device;
a behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure behavioral and cognitive parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit behavioral and cognitive signals corresponding to measurements of the behavioral and cognitive parameters to the data storage device; and
a passive personal tracking subsystem coupled to the network, operative to generate tracking signals from tracking transmitters associated with each subject, said tracking signals corresponding to the identities and locations of each of the plurality of ambulatory subjects;
wherein the data analysis means is operative to associate the tracking signal of a first subject with a parameter signal of the first subject or a behavioral and cognitive signal of the first subject to form a data record. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for monitoring a physiological parameter of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising:
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a plurality of personal tracking devices, each operative to produce a tracking signal corresponding to the identity and location of an ambulatory subject and transmit the tracking signal to a computer;
a plurality of tracking signal receivers distributed throughout a defined space structured to be occupied by any one of said subjects;
means for passively measuring a physiological parameter of any of the plurality of subjects, the means residing in an object or fixture in the defined area in which an ambulatory subject is present;
means for generating parameter signals corresponding to physiological parameter measurements;
means for transmitting parameter signals from the signal generating means to the computer;
means for creating data records by associating parameter signal of a subject with the tracking signal corresponding to that subject. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A computer method for monitoring a health parameter of an ambulatory subject of a plurality of ambulatory subjects within a defined space, the method comprising:
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measuring passively a health parameter of a subject by a first detector of a plurality of detectors positionable within the defined space, each detector of the plurality of detectors capable of detecting a health parameter of one subject of a plurality of subjects and generating a parameter signal corresponding to the measured parameter value;
transmitting the parameter signal to a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means;
associating the parameter signal with an identity by correlating a location of the first detector with subject identity and location, said subject identity and location determined by a spatial monitoring device producing subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject;
creating a data record of the associated parameter signal with a subject identity determined by a spatial monitoring device producing signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject; and
storing the data record in a record uniquely associated with the subject. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
providing a predetermined value range for a signal corresponding to the health parameter of the subject;
comparing the parameter signal of the data record to the predetermined value range; and
generating an alert when the parameter signal corresponding to the measured health parameter is outside the predetermined value range.
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16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
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providing a predetermined value range for signals corresponding to multiple health parameters of the subject;
comparing parameter signals of multiple data records to the respective predetermined value ranges; and
generating an alert when each of the parameter signals corresponding to the measured health parameters are outside the predetermined value ranges.
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17. A system for passively monitoring behavioral and cognitive health status of each of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising:
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a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means;
a spatial monitoring device, operative to produce subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the subject signals to the computer;
a passive medication compliance device, operative to produce a medication compliance signal corresponding to accessing a medication by each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the medication compliance signals to the computer;
a first interactive physiological parameter measurement device, operative to produce parameter signals corresponding to measurements of physiological parameters of the subjects and transmit the parameter signals to the computer;
a sensor embedded in an article of regular and ordinary use by the subjects, operative to produce use signals corresponding to use of the article by subjects and transmit the use signals to the computer;
a nocturnal activity monitoring system, operative to produce nocturnal activity signals corresponding to restlessness of subjects and transmit the nocturnal activity signals to the computer; and
data analysis means for analyzing signals produced by the above system components;
wherein the computer is operative to correlate a medication compliance signal, a parameter signal, a use signal, or a nocturnal activity signal with a specific subject based on the location of the device and the location of the subject derived from the subject signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
a transmitter worn by the subject;
a plurality of receivers spatially distributed throughout the defined monitoring area; and
signal generating means for generating a signal corresponding to a transmission received by a member of the plurality of spatially distributed receivers from the transmitter, the signal identifying and locating the subject.
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19. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of receivers is uniquely identifiable by the data storage means.
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20. The system of claim 18, wherein a plurality of said transmitters are worn by a plurality of said subjects, each transmitter transmits a subject identification code unique said subjects, so that each subject can be located by proximity to one of said receivers.
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21. The system of claim 17, further comprising a chronological tagging means for tagging each signal with a chronological identifier.
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22. The system of claim 17, further comprising environmental input logging means for logging changes input by the subject to a heating, ventilation and cooling system.
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23. The system of claim 17, wherein the system monitors a plurality of subjects.
Specification