Hard disk drive medical monitor with shock-proofing

• US 7,338,445 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Feliss, Norbert, Gillis, Donald Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kowalewski; Filip A.
• Application Number:
  US10/880,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 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: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• 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. A transmitter and receiver for produces and transmits signals. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the at least one disk drive. An enclosure surrounds the at least one hard disk drive, where the enclosure includes a shock-proofing system.

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;

a transmitter and receiver for producing and transmitting signals in the radio frequency range, 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;

an outer enclosure surrounding said at least one hard disk drive, said outer enclosure including sealant which is impervious to body fluids of the user;

an inner enclosure within said outer enclosure; and

a shock-proofing system which includes at least one miniature air bag within said outer enclosure and which surrounds said inner enclosure.

2. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one miniature air bag includes an upper air bag and a lower air bag.

10. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said inner enclosure includes sealant which is impervious to body fluids of the user.

3. A system for monitoring biological activity and states in the body of a user, comprising:

a medical HDD monitor which is adapted to be implanted in a user'"'"'s body, including at least one hard disk drive, a transmitter and a receiver for producing and transmitting signals in the radio frequency range, an inner enclosure surrounding said at least one hard disk drive, an outer enclosure surrounding said inner enclosure, said outer enclosure including sealant which is impervious to body fluids of the user and a shock-proofing system which includes at least one miniature air bag within said outer enclosure and which surrounds said inner enclosure;

at least one sensor for communicating data from at least one site in said body of said user to said medical HDD monitor; and

an external programming interface which communicates with said medical HDD monitor by radio frequency transmission, in order to set performance parameters of said medical HDD monitor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said at least one miniature air bag includes an upper air bag and a lower air bag.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said at least one sensor communicates with said medical HDD monitor by radio frequency transmissions.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said at least one sensor communicates with said medical HDD monitor by micro-cables.

7. The system claim 3, further comprising:

an external programming device which is in radio frequency communication with said medical HDD monitor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

said external programming device is chosen from a group consisting of hand-held computers and laptop computers.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

said external programming device communicates with said medical HDD monitor through encrypted communications.

11. The medical monitor of claim 3, wherein:

said inner enclosure includes sealant which is impervious to body fluids of the user.