Physiological monitor and associated computation, display and communication unit

• US 6,790,178 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2000
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microlife Medical Home Solutions Inc. (Morgan Stanley)
• Original Assignee: HealtheTech, Inc. (Morgan Stanley)
• Inventors: Mault, James R., Johnson, Noel, Sanderson, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/669,125
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 600/500-509, 600/549, 600/587-595, 128/903, 128/904, 128/120, 374/100
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0295 adapted for recording user messages or annotations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0011 Foetal or obstetric data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/083 Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 : Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 : using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 : combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 : Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 : Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 : Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 : Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 : Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 : of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 : with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

Various physiological monitor modules are provided for use with computing devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). In some embodiments, the personal digital assistant provides the controls, display, and processing circuitry for the physiological monitor module. The personal digital assistant stores data from the physiological monitors so that the data may be used in various software applications. In other embodiments, the physiological monitor and the personal digital assistant include accessory slots sized to accept memory modules which may be used to transfer data therebetween. In yet other embodiments, the physiological monitors include data storage but do not include onboard processing capability, and data is transferred to a personal digital assistant either during or after use of the physiological monitor.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a physiological condition of the subject, comprising:

a monitor adapted to measure the physiological condition of the subject, wherein the monitor comprises an EKG and heart sound monitor, the monitor comprising a housing having two or more electrodes disposed thereon and a microphone disposed thereon;

a handheld unit including a display, a memory, a microprocessor and means for operator control of the handheld unit;

a two part separable connector, one of the parts fixed to the monitor and the other part fixed to the handheld unit, the two parts being operative, when interconnected, to physically join the monitor and the handheld unit in a rigid manner and being operative to transfer electrical signals from the monitor to the handheld unit for processing by the microprocessor and display of the processed signals on the display of the handheld unit, wherein the electrical signals are correlated with the physiological condition of the subject, so as to provide real time monitoring of the physiological condition; and

application software supported in the memory of the handheld unit operable to communicate with the monitor and to process electrical signals from the monitor for display.