Bio-information sensor monitoring system and method

• US 7,311,665 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Hawthorne, Jeffrey Scott, Iiams, Michael Leonard, Tubb, Glenn Charles, Stoll, Richard A., Shoffner, Gary Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Astorino, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US10/441,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 128/903, 128/904, 128920-925, 705 2- 4, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A bio-information monitoring system passively monitors a patient with a remote portable bio-information unit that takes various bio-information measurements at selected time intervals as well as at random times without patient intervention. The measurements are converted to digital signals which are transmitted from the bio-information unit to a modem when the bio-information unit is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring network. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring network to a treatment provider. The treatment provider may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Claims

1. A system for continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject comprising:

a bio-information unit adapted to be attached to the human subject, wherein said bio-information unit takes a plurality of bio-sensor readings at predetermined time intervals according to a first schedule stored in a first memory in said bio-information unit without active participation by the human subject, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in said first memory;

a bio-information modem in communication with said bio-information unit, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said first memory are communicated from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals according to said first schedule through radio frequency signals without active participation by the human subject, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in a second memory in said bio-information modem;

a bio-information network in communication with said bio-information modem, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said second memory are communicated from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network at predetermined time intervals according to a second schedule stored in said second memory through a first communication link without active participation by the human subject, and further wherein said bio-information network analyzes said plurality of bio-sensor readings to determine if an alert condition exists; and

a treatment provider facility in communication with said bio-information network, wherein said bio-information network communicates an alert to said treatment provider facility through a second communication link when said alert condition exists.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of bio-information units each of which are adapted to be attached to a one of a plurality of human subjects, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information units takes a plurality of bio-sensor readings at predetermined time intervals according to a plurality of first schedules stored in a plurality of first memories in said plurality of bio-information units without active participation by said plurality of human subjects, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in said plurality of first memories;

a plurality of bio-information modems, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is paired with and in communication with a one of said plurality of bio-information units adapted to be attached to said one of a plurality of human subjects, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said plurality of first memories are communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information units to its paired said plurality of bio-information modems at predetermined time intervals according to said plurality of first schedules through a plurality of radio frequency signals without active participation by said plurality of human subjects, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in a plurality of second memories in said plurality of bio-information modems, and further wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is in communication with said bio-information network wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said plurality of second memories are communicated from said plurality of bio-information modems to said bio-information network at predetermined time intervals according to a plurality of second schedules stored in said plurality of second memories through a plurality of first communication links; and

a plurality of treatment provider facilities in communication with said bio-information network, wherein each of said plurality of human subjects are associated with a one of said plurality of treatment provider facilities, and each of said plurality of treatment provider facilities can access through an internet connection to said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with said one of said plurality of treatment provider facilities.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said bio-information network communicates automatically or on a periodic basis to said plurality of treatment provider facilities said plurality of bio-sensor readings communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information modems paired to said plurality of bio-information units for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with a one of said plurality of treatment provider facilities.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said bio-information unit communicates to said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals any errors and diagnostic data.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein said bio-information modem, upon receiving at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data, or upon a predetermined time interval occurring, will establish said first communication link with said bio-information network and communicate said at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data to said bio-information network.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein said bio-information network, upon said first communication link being established with said bio-information modem, executes a series of inquiries to validate said bio-information modem.

7. The system according to claim 4 wherein said bio-information network further comprises:

a web-hosted database server for storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said treatment provider facility accesses said web-hosted database server through an internet connection and a secure dedicated web site.

9. The system according to claim 4 wherein said bio-information network analyzes said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data into a plurality of categories, and if any immediate notification action needs to be taken, said bio-information network performs a notification operation to a monitoring personnel associated with said treatment provider facility.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said notification operation is a one of an e-mail message, a facsimile transmission, a page to a pager, a text message, a call to a telephone, and a call to a cellular telephone.

11. The system according to claim 9 wherein said treatment provider facility , through said web-hosted database server through said internet connection, customizes a frequency of taking said plurality of bio-sensor readings and customizes a method of notification for said notification operation.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of bio-sensor readings are time and date stamped by said bio-information unit.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein said bio-information modem can transmit to said bio-information unit through radio frequency signals said first schedule comprising a reading schedule and a communication schedule, and at least a one of a sensor configuration data and an other operational information.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem fails at said predetermined time intervals, said bio-information unit repeats said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information modem.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network fails at said predetermined time intervals, said bio-information modem repeats said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information network.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein the continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject may be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

17. The system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality bio-sensor readings are at least a one of a blood oxygen reading, blood carbon dioxide reading, insulin level reading, heart rate reading, temperature reading, respiration reading, and any other biological data reading based on a specific bio-sensor in the bio-information unit.

18. A method for continuous passive monitoring of bio-information of a human subject comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a bio-information unit to the human subject;

(b) taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings by said bio-information unit at predetermined time intervals according to a first schedule stored in a first memory in said bio-information unit without active participation by the human subject;

(c) storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in said first memory;

(d) communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said first memory from said bio-information unit to a bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals according to said first schedule through radio frequency signals without active participation by the human subject;

(e) storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in a second memory in said bio-information modem;

(f) communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said second memory from said bio-information modem to a bio-information network at predetermined time intervals according to a second schedule stored in said second memory through a first communication link without active participation by the human subject;

(g) analyzing said plurality of bio-sensor readings by said bio-information network to determine if an alert condition exists; and

(h) communicating an alert to a treatment provider facility through a second communication link when said alert condition exists.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

attaching each of a plurality of bio-information units to a one of a plurality of human subjects;

taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings by said plurality of bio-information units at predetermined time intervals according to a plurality of first schedules stored in a plurality of first memories in said plurality of bio-information units without active participation by said plurality of human subjects;

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in said plurality of first memories;

communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said plurality of first memories from said plurality of bio-information units to a plurality of bio-information modems at predetermined time intervals according to said plurality of first schedules through a plurality of radio frequency signals, wherein each of said plurality of bio-information modems is paired with and in communication with a one of said plurality of bio-information units attached to said one of a plurality of human subjects;

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in a plurality of second memories in said plurality of bio-information modems;

communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said plurality of second memories from said plurality of bio-information modems to said bio-information network at predetermined time intervals through a plurality of first communication links;

analyzing said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said plurality of bio-information modems by said bio-information network to determine if any alert conditions exist; and

communicating a plurality of alerts to a plurality of treatment provider facilities through a plurality of second communication links when said alert conditions exist, wherein each of said plurality of human subjects are associated with a one of said plurality of treatment provider facilities, and each of said plurality of treatment provider facilities can access through an internet connection to said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with said one of said treatment provider facilities.

20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of:

communicating by said bio-information network automatically or on a periodic basis to said plurality of treatment provider facilities said plurality of bio-sensor readings communicated from each of said plurality of bio-information modems paired to said plurality of bio-information units for each of said plurality of human subjects associated with a one of said plurality of treatment provider facilities.

21. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

communicating by said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals any errors and diagnostic data.

22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

establishing said first communication link with said bio-information network upon receiving at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data, or upon a predetermined time interval occurring;

validating by said bio-information network said bio-information modem by executing a series of inquiries to said bio-information modem; and

upon successful validation, communicating said at least a one of said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data to said bio-information network through said first communication link.

23. The method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data in a web-hosted database server in said bio-information network.

24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of:

accessing said web-hosted database server by said treatment provider facility through an internet connection and a secure dedicated web site.

25. The method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of:

analyzing by said bio-information network said plurality of bio-sensor readings, said errors, and said diagnostic data into a plurality of categories; and

applying a set of rules to said plurality of categories; and

communicating an automatic alert to a monitoring personnel associated with said treatment provider facility when a rule is satisfied.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein said automatic alert is a one of an e-mail message, a facsimile transmission, a page to a pager, a text message, a call to a telephone, and a call to a cellular telephone.

27. The method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of:

customizing, by said treatment provider facility through said web-hosted database server through said internet connection, a frequency of taking said plurality of bio-sensor readings and a method of notification for said automatic alert.

28. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

time and date stamping by said bio-information unit each of said plurality of bio-sensor readings.

29. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

transmitting by said bio-information modem through radio frequency signals to said bio-information unit said first schedule comprising a reading schedule and a communication schedule, and at least a one of a sensor configuration data and an other operational information.

30. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information unit to said bio-information modem fails at said predetermined time intervals, repeating by said bio-information unit said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information modem.

31. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

when said communication of said plurality of bio-sensor readings from said bio-information modem to said bio-information network fails at said predetermined time intervals, repeating by said bio-information modem said communication attempt after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of transfer of said plurality of bio-sensor readings is received from said bio-information network.

32. The method according to claim 18 wherein steps (b) through (h) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

33. A bio-information system for continuous passive remote monitoring of a human subject comprising:

a bio-information unit having a processing means and a first memory;

a configurable sensor array connectable to and controlled by said processing means for taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings of the human subject at predetermined time intervals according to a first schedule stored in said first memory without active participation by the human subject, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in said first memory;

a radio frequency transceiver means connectable to and controlled by said processing means for transmitting said plurality of bio-sensor readings through radio frequency signals;

a bio-information modem having a second memory in communication with the bio-information unit, wherein said bio-information unit communicates said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said first memory to said bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals according to said first schedule through said radio frequency signals through said radio frequency transceiver without active participation by the human subject, wherein said plurality of bio-sensor readings are stored in said second memory; and

a communication means within said bio-information modem for transmitting said plurality of bio-sensor readings received from said bio-information unit stored in said second memory at predetermined time intervals without active participation by the human subject.

34. The bio-information system of claim 33 further comprising:

a battery for supplying power to the bio-information unit; and

an attachment means for attaching the bio-information unit to the human subject.

35. The bio-information system of claim 34 further comprising:

a main program executable by said processing means for controlling the operation of the bio-information unit, wherein said main program is downloadable from said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals to said radio frequency transceiver means through said processing means for storage in said first memory.

36. The bio-information system of claim 35 further comprising:

a communication alert and a no bio-information unit communication alert, wherein when the bio-information unit attempts to communicate with said bio-information modem at times designated in said first schedule, and when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem at a scheduled communication time, said bio-information modem generates said communication alert along with a date and time of the failed communication, and further wherein, when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem for a predetermined period of time, said bio-information modem generates said no bio-information unit communication alert along with a present date and time.

37. The bio-information system of claim 36 further comprising:

a reed relay connectable to said processing means, wherein passing a magnet in proximity to said reed relay overrides said first schedule and activates the bio-information unit to take another plurality of bio-sensor readings with said configurable sensor array, and the bio-information unit attempts to communicate said another plurality of bio-sensor readings through said radio frequency transceiver through said radio frequency signals to said bio-information modem.

38. The bio-information system of claim 33 wherein the continuous remote monitoring of the human subject may be done twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

39. The bio-information system of claim 33 wherein said configurable sensor array further comprises:

at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor is designed to capture at least a one of a blood oxygen reading, blood carbon dioxide reading, insulin level reading, heart rate reading, temperature reading, respiration reading, and any other biological data reading based on said at least one sensor'"'"'s design.

40. A method for continuous remote bio-information monitoring of a human subject with a bio-information unit, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) taking a plurality of bio-sensor readings with a configurable sensor array of the bio-information unit at predetermined time intervals according to a first schedule stored in a first memory in said bio-information unit without active participation by the human subject;

(b) storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in said first memory;

(c) transmitting with a radio frequency transceiver of the bio-information unit through radio frequency signals said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said first memory and diagnostic data without active participation by the human subject;

(d) communicating said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said first memory to a bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals according to said first schedule through said radio frequency signals through said radio frequency transceiver without active participation by the human subject; and

(e) storing said plurality of bio-sensor readings in a second memory in said bio-information modem;

(f) transmitting from said bio-information modem at predetermined time intervals according to a second schedule stored in said second memory said plurality of bio-sensor readings stored in said second memory without active participation by the human subject.

41. The method according to claim 40 further comprising the step of:

performing steps (a) and (b) under the control of a central processing unit within the bio-information unit.

42. The method according to claim 41 further comprising the steps of:

inserting a battery within the bio-information unit; and

attaching the bio-information unit to the human subject.

43. The method according to claim 42 further comprising the step of:

downloading a main program from said bio-information modem through said radio frequency signals to said radio frequency transceiver to said central processing unit for storage in said first memory connectable to said central processing unit, wherein said main program is executed by said central processing unit for controlling the operation of said configurable sensor array and said radio frequency transceiver.

44. The method according to claim 40 further comprising the steps of:

when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem at a scheduled communication time of said first schedule, generating a communication alert by said bio-information modem along with a date and time of the failed communication; and

overriding said communication schedule by the bio-information unit and attempting to communicate with said bio-information modem after waiting a specified time period until confirmation of said attempting to communicate is received from said bio-information modem.

45. The method according to claim 40 further comprising the step of:

when the bio-information unit fails to communicate with said bio-information modem for a predetermined period of time, generating a no bio-information unit communication alert by said bio-information modem along with a present date and time.

46. The method according to claim 40 further comprising the step of:

activating said bio-information unit and overriding said communication first schedule by passing a magnet in proximity to a reed relay connectable to said central processing unit, wherein once activated, said bio-information unit takes a bio-sensor reading with said configurable sensor array, and attempts to communicate said bio-sensor reading through said radio frequency transceiver through said radio frequency signals to said bio-information modem.

47. The method according to claim 40 wherein steps (a) and (b) may be performed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.