Physiological monitoring system for a computational device of a human subject

• US 7,407,484 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2002
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medic4All, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medic4All, Inc.
• Inventors: Korman, Ronen
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US10/472,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20040152956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,312 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/309, 600/310, 600/323, 600/324, 600/481, 600/485, 600/502
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a human subject. The system of the present invention features a device with which the human subject regularly interacts, and which is connected to the computational device of the human subject for automatic collection of at least one physiological parameter which is also of medical interest. The device features at least one physiological sensor for collecting the measurement of the physiological parameter. The computational device of the human subject then preferably operates a software program to analyze the data which is collected, in order for the human subject to receive an alert when necessary. Alternatively or additionally, the collected data is sent to a remote computational device which is in communication with the computational device of the human subject for analysis. Optionally, the present invention enables the human subject to receive an alert if a deterioration in the physiological condition of the human subject is detected, thereby enabling the human subject to start preventive medical treatment with trained medical personnel as soon as possible. Thus, the awareness of the human subject about any incipient medical problem is immediately improved, which may result in an increased probability of being able to successfully treat and/or otherwise ameliorate those problems.

Claims

1. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:

(a) a peripheral device configured for physical contact with said human subject, said peripheral device being a user input device configured to allow said human subject to regularly interact with an autonomous computational device;

(b) a sensor contained within said peripheral device, said sensor being configured for sensing said human subject and for automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of said human subject without interfering with an action of said human subject, said action being performed during said interaction between human subject and said autonomous computational device;

wherein said autonomous computational device is configured for being controlled by said peripheral device and for receiving said data from said sensor for monitoring said human subject; and

said autonomous computational device comprises

an agent software configured for being operated by said autonomous computational device and for analyzing said data from said sensor, wherein said agent software is configured to determine whether a physiological parameter of said human subject has deteriorated according to an analysis of said data, and wherein said agent software is configured to provide an alert message to said human subject if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is contacted by said human subject during normal interactions with said autonomous computational device, such that said data is collected without requiring any additional action by said human subject.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) at least one of;

a remote server in communication with said autonomous computational device configured for receiving, processing arid storing said data wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said remote server if said physiological parameter has deteriorated; and

a manually operated call center configured for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject and diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history, wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said call center if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said alert message is automatically transmitted to said human subject.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said peripheral device includes a device configured for transmitting at least one command of said human subject to said autonomous computational device for operating said autonomous computational device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said device is at least one of a computer keyboard and a computer pointing device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said computer pointing device is a computer mouse.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said device is a touch sensitive screen.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is in physical contact with said human subject while operating said autonomous computational device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said peripheral device is a mouse pad.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of a blood pulse characteristic, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, position, SpO₂ (saturation of peripheral oxygen), carbon dioxide level, glucose level and respiration rate.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a SpO₂ (saturation of peripheral oxygen) sensor, carbon dioxide level sensor and a glucose sensor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a piezoresistive sensor, a hydrophone, an ultra low pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and a fiber-optic sensor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor includes at least one photo-plethysmograph transducer, and at least one of blood pulse shape, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate is measured through said sensor.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple sensor, a positioning sensor and a weight sensor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor includes at least an infrared thermopile sensor.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor includes at least a piezoceramic transducer.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for communicating said measurement of said at least one physiological parameter to a physiological monitoring processing unit.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said autonomous computational device is a general-purpose computer.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said autonomous computational device is a physiological monitoring processing unit.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is configured for a purpose other than physiological monitoring.

22. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject according to claim 1 wherein said message comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

an identification of said physiological parameter, a description of a result of said analysis, a text message, a verbally audible message, an icon representing said physiological parameter, and an instruction to said subject to touch said sensor.

23. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:

(a) a user input device configured for being in physical contact with said human subject;

(b) a sensor contained within said user input device, said sensor being configured for sensing said human subject and for automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of said human subject without interfering with an action of the user, said user input device configured for controlling an autonomous host computational device;

(c) a processing unit contained within said user input device configured for analyzing said data;

d) an autonomous host computational device configured for controlling said processing unit, receiving said data analysis from said processing unit, and receiving at least one command from said human subject through said user input device;

(e) an agent software installed on said autonomous host computational device and configured for being operated by said autonomous host computational device and for analyzing said data from said sensor, wherein said agent software is configured to determine whether a physiological parameter of said human subject has deteriorated according to an analysis of said data; and

(f) at least one of;

a remote server in communication with said host computational device, said remote server being configured for receiving, processing and storing said data, wherein said agent software is configured to provide an alert message to at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said remote server if said physiological parameter has deteriorated; and

a manually operated call center, configured for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject, and diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history, wherein said agent software is configured to provide an alert message to at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said call center if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said host computational device controls said sensor through said processing unit.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein a said processing unit controls an operation of said sensor.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said host computational device controls said sensor through said processing unit.

27. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject according to claim 23, wherein said message comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

an identification of said physiological parameter, a description of a result of said analysis, a text message, a verbally audible message, an icon representing said physiological parameter, and an instruction to said subject to touch said sensor.

28. A method for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject through contact with a user input device, said user input device being in contact with a computational device, said method comprising:

providing a sensor being contained within said user input device, wherein said user input device is configured to allow said human subject to regularly interact with a host computational device;

physically contacting said user input device by at least a portion of said human subject, thereby sensing the human subject and automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of said human subject by said sensor;

transmitting said data to said computational device;

controlling said sensor by said computational device;

analyzing said data from said sensor;

determining whether a physiological parameter of the human subject has deteriorated according to an analysis of said data; and

providing an alert message to the human subject if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said contacting of said user input device further comprises:

manipulating said user input device by said human subject to send at least one command to said computational device.

30. The method of claims 28, wherein said contacting of said user input device is performed while operating said computational device, without any additional action by said human subject being required.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing at least one of;

a remote server in communication with said autonomous computational device configured for receiving, processing and storing said data wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said remote server if said physiological parameter has deteriorated; and

a manually operated call center configured for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject and diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history, wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said call center if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

32. A method for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject according to claim 28, wherein said message comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

an identification of said physiological parameter, a description of a result of said analysis, a text message, a verbally audible message, an icon representing said physiological parameter, and an instruction to said subject to touch said sensor.

33. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:

(a) a user input device configured for being in physical contact with said human subject;

(b) a sensor contained within said user input device, said sensor being configured for sensing said human subject and for automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of said human subject;

(c) a processing unit contained within said user input device for control and for data analysis, such that said processing unit controls an operation of said sensor; and

(d) a host computational device configured for receiving said data analysis from said processing unit, wherein said user input device is configured to allow said human subject to regularly interact with said host computational device;

wherein said system is configured to determine whether said analyzed data indicates that said physiological parameter of the human subject has deteriorated; and

wherein said system is configured to provide an alert message to said human subject if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

(e) at least one of;

a remote server in communication, with said autonomous computational device configured for receiving, processing and storing said data wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said remote server if said physiological parameter has deteriorated; and

a manually operated call center configured for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject and diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history, wherein said agent software is configured to alert at least one of said human subject and an attendant associated with said call center if said physiological parameter has deteriorated.

35. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject according to claim 33, wherein said message comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

an identification of said physiological parameter, a description of a result of said analysis, a text message, a verbally audible message, an icon representing said physiological parameter, and an instruction to said subject to touch said sensor.

36. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:

(a) a peripheral device configured for physical contact with said human subject, said peripheral device being a user input device configured to allow said human subject to regularly interact with an autonomous computational device;

(b) a sensor contained within said peripheral device, said sensor being configured for sensing said human subject and for automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of said human subject without interfering with an action of said human subject, said action being performed during said interaction between human subject and said autonomous computational device;

wherein said autonomous computational device is configured for being controlled by said peripheral device and for receiving said data from said sensor for monitoring said human subject; and

(c) an agent software configured for being operated by said autonomous computational device and for analyzing said data from said sensor. wherein said agent software is configured to determine whether a physiological parameter of said human subject has deteriorated according to an analysis of said data. and wherein said agent software is configured to provide an alert message to said human subject if said physiological parameter has deteriorated, wherein said agent software is situated at a remote server.

37. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject arcording to claim 36, wherein said message comprises at least one member of the group consisting of:

an identification of said physiological parameter, a description of a result of said analysis, a text message, a verbally audible message, an icon representing said physiological parameter, and an instruction to said subject to touch said sensor.