Aviation physiological health monitoring system and method

• US 8,548,547 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2010
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ashok K. Vij
• Original Assignee: Ashok K. Vij
• Inventors: Vij, Ashok K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fenwick, Warren K
• Application Number:
  US12/803,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20110040156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323
• US Class Current: 600/323
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00

Abstract

An aircraft cockpit with health monitoring system and method enables an occupant (e.g. a pilot) and/or a ground station to monitor the physical condition of the occupant during a flight. A sensor such as a pulse oximetry sensor is in predetermined location to an occupant seat (e.g. an aircraft cockpit seat), within the field of reach of a person seated in the seat. The sensor is supported in the predetermined location in a stable manner that provides sufficient reaction to insertion of a finger to enable insertion of a finger in the sensor while the person is in a seated position, and the sensor is in communication with a control box that processes data from the sensor, and presents the data, e.g. at a the multi functional display in an aircraft cockpit. During a flight, a pilot seated in the aircraft cockpit seat will be prompted to insert a finger into the pulse oximetry sensor to produce output at the multi functional display.

Claims

1. A sensing and reporting system for an aircraft, comprising a display, and a sensor configured to provide data related to at least one human vital condition, within the reach of an occupant of the cockpit, the sensor in communication with a processor for data from the sensor, the processor providing the display with output related to the human vital condition based on the data from the sensor, and means for prompting the cockpit occupant to engage the sensor, wherein the means for prompting the cockpit occupant to engage the sensor is configured to prompt the cockpit occupant based on the sensed altitude of the aircraft and time at that sensed altitude.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the said display comprises a multifunctional display and the sensor and the said multifunctional display communicate via a control box system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the said control box system communicates with the said sensor wirelessly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the said display comprises a multifunctional display that is part of an aircraft instrument panel, and wherein the sensor is fixed to one of the instrument aircraft panel and seat.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the said sensor comprises a pulse oximeter that is supported in a fixed, stabilized position in an aircraft panel, within reach of an occupant of the cockpit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is transmitted and/or recorded on the aircraft or at a ground station.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the said data is recorded in at least one of aircraft black box or the said control box system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the said control box system communicates with a portable device, and data from the control device is recorded in the portable device.

9. A method comprising

a. providing a system for an aircraft, comprising a display, and a sensor within the reach of a cockpit occupant, the sensor configured be engaged by a cockpit occupant seated in the cockpit to provide data related to at least one human vital condition, the sensor in communication with a processor for data from the sensor, and the processor providing the display with output related to the human vital condition based on the data from the sensor

b. prompting a cockpit occupant seated in the cockpit to engage the sensor to produce data as to the human vital condition, that is communicated to the processor, and produces output at the display related to the human vital condition, further including prompting the cockpit occupant by sending a reminder to the cockpit occupant that is designed to remind the cockpit occupant to engage the sensor to produce the data related to the at least one human condition.

10. The method of claim 9, including providing the reminder to the cockpit occupant based on the sensed altitude of the aircraft and time at that sensed altitude.

11. The method of claim 10, further including providing periodic reminders to the cockpit occupant when the sensed altitude of the aircraft is above a predetermined level.

12. The method of claim 11, further including providing the periodic reminders to the cockpit occupant at different time intervals based on the sensed altitude of the aircraft and time at that sensed altitude.

13. The method of claim 12, further including communicating data from the sensor to a storage device.

14. The method of claim 10 further including communicating data from the sensor to a storage device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data from the sensor comprises blood oxygen data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data from the sensor is related to any or all of the following human vital conditions:

blood oxygen, blood alcohol, blood glucose, body temperature, blood pressure.

17. The method of 14, further including monitoring the CO level of the aircraft cockpit, and providing an alert signal to the cockpit occupant if the CO level reaches a predetermined level, irrespective of the state of the human vital condition that is displayed on the multifunctional display.