System and method for remotely sensing vital signs

• US 8,708,919 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Frazier, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PACKARD, BENJAMIN J
• Application Number:
  US12/358,998
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 600/484
• US Class Current: 600/484
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0255 Recording instruments specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00

Abstract

In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for sensing vital signs of a victim includes positioning a transmitter pod near a victim. The transmitter pod transmits a source signal. A reflected signal is created by reflecting the source signal off the victim. The source signal is directly received by a receiver that is remote from the victim and the transmitter pod. The receiver also receives the reflected signal, which is compared with the source signal. At least one vital sign is determined based on this comparison, and this vital sign is displayed. The vital sign may be the victim'"'"'s heart rate or respiration rate.

Claims

1. A system for sensing vital signs of a victim comprising:

a projectile configured to be launched or thrown near the victim, the projectile including a transmitter pod operable to transmit a source signal;

a receiver configured to remotely receive the source signal from the transmitter pod when the transmitter pod is launched or thrown near the victim and to receive the source signal reflected off the victim, the reflected signal comprising a phase modulation of the source signal; and

the receiver comprising a processor operable to extract information regarding at least one vital sign of the victim from the remotely received source signal and the reflected signal, by combining and comparing the remotely received source signal and the reflected signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises a display device operable to display the information regarding the at least one vital sign of the victim to a user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the source signal is phase modulated by a heartbeat or a movement of a diaphragm of the victim.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one vital sign is a heart rate of the victim.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one vital sign is a respiration rate of the victim.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitter pod further comprises an oscillator operable to produce the source signal, the source signal being a continuous wave at a radio frequency greater than or equal to 400 Megahertz and less than or equal to 3500 Megahertz.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a two-way voice transceiver, the oscillator being operable to generate a clock signal for the two-way voice transceiver at the radio frequency.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a timer switch operable to automatically switch from a first phase of a cycle comprising transmitting the source signal, to a second phase of the cycle comprising receiving a voice command, to a third phase of the cycle comprising detecting and transmitting an audio response.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a squaring circuit operable to square an incoming voltage.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a diode mixer operable to provide a squaring function.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a projectile launcher for launching projectile.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the projectile launcher is located in an aircraft.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a homing beacon to identify a location of the victim.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is located in an aircraft.

11. A system for sensing vital signs of a victim, comprising:

a pod configured to be launched from a distance to a vicinity of the victim and to transmit a source signal;

the pod operable to receive the source signal reflected off the victim, the reflected signal comprising a phase modulation of the source signal by a heart beat or a movement of a diaphragm of the victim; and

the pod further comprising a data link transmitter operable to wirelessly communicate information regarding at least one vital sign of the victim, the information being based on the reflected signal and a copy of the source signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pod further comprises a processor operable to extract information regarding the at least one vital sign of the victim from the reflected signal.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a two-way voice transceiver.