Method and apparatus for providing patient care

• US 6,830,549 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Bui, Tuan, Cooper, Thomas, Macha, Emil S., Schulze, Arthur, Padda, Shan, Deckert, Clint, Levitas, Doron
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/314,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/473, 600/474, 600/549, 374/1, 374/5, 374/33, 374/34, 374/100, 374/208
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/165 for application in zero heat flux sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

A patient management system includes a programmable patient monitor for monitoring and recording a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, a plurality of physiological condition sensors and a communications unit. The plurality of patient monitoring sensors are electrically coupled to the programmable patient monitor. Each sensor detects a particular physiological condition of the patient, such as core temperature, ECG electrodes for providing an electrocardiogram and blood oximetry sensors. The patient monitor is small and compact and easily worn by the patient during his normal at home activities. To provide communication with a caregiver via a remote controller at the caregiver'"'"'s location, a communications unit is disposed in the facility. The communications unit may be selectively coupled to the programmable patient monitor for receiving, storing and transmitting to the remote controller patient physiological condition data and for transmitting instructions from the remote controller to the programmable patient monitor. When the patient connects the patient monitor to the communications unit, the patient can communicate with the caregiver at the remote location.

Claims

1. A core temperature sensor for measuring the deep body temperature of a person, comprising;

a sensor assembly comprising a first temperature sensor for detecting a first temperature, a second temperature sensor for detecting a second temperature, a thermally insulating layer separating the first sensor from the second sensor, and a thin film heater disposed on the second temperature sensor;

a thermally insulating annular ring disposed around and over the sensor assembly such that the first sensor may be positioned directly on a skin surface of the person; and

a proportional control circuit responsive to the first temperature and the second temperature for controlling the temperature of the heater, wherein the control circuit generates a control signal which is proportional to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

2. The temperature sensor of claim 1 further comprising a thermally transmissive layer heat shrunk about the sensor assembly and annular ring.

3. The temperature sensor of claim 2 further comprising a shutdown circuit for disabling the heater in response to a detected second temperature being greater than a predetermined value.