Hard disk drive medical monitor with GPS

• US 7,192,398 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Flechsig, Karl Arthur, Gillis, Donald Ray, Feliss, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOWALEWSKI, FILIP A
• Application Number:
  US10/881,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-587, 128/899, 128903-905, 128920-925
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0255 Recording instruments specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A medical monitor is disclosed for implantation in a human body for monitoring biological activity and states as detected by implanted sensors. The medical monitor includes at least one hard disk drive. An enclosure surrounds the at least one hard disk drive. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the at least one hard disk drive. A transmitter and receiver produces and transmits signals, and include a GPS transmitter and a receiver for producing and receiving transmission signals in the radio frequency range, where the GPS sends satellite communication signals via the public GPS frequencies and protocol.

Claims

1. A medical monitor for implantation in the user'"'"'s body for monitoring data on biological activity and states gathered from sensors implanted in the user'"'"'s body, said medical monitor comprising:

at least one hard disk drive, which is adapted to be implanted in a user'"'"'s body;

an enclosure surrounding said at least one hard disk drive;

a transmitter and receiver for producing and transmitting signals, said medical monitor being in communication with said sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on said at least one hard disk drive, said transmitter and receiver including a GPS transmitter and a receiver for producing and receiving transmission signals in the radio frequency range, said OPS transmitter for sending satellite communication signals via the public GPS frequencies and protocol; and

an electrical grounding system which includes an external grounding wire which is connected to one of the user'"'"'s shoes.

2. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said hard drive includes an electronic emergency signal to be sent by said GPS transmitter.