Method and system for capturing and monitoring a physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person

• US 8,795,168 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2003
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CADI Scientific Pte Ltd.
• Original Assignee: CADI Scientific Pte Ltd.
• Inventors: Goh, Zenton, Neo, Sian Sheng, Ng, Hon Cheong, Lim, Soh Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Archer, Marie
• Application Number:
  US10/564,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20060178567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,037 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 128903-905, 128/920
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• 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 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• 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 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0009 Transmission of position information to remote stations involving assistance data G01S5/0236
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0294 Trajectory determination or predictive filtering, e.g. target tracking or Kalman filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A method for capturing and monitoring at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person are disclosed. The area is divided into cells having respective location identifiers. Each person is provided with a respective device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person. The physiological parameter is indicative of whether the person has a physical condition. Each device has a device identifier. The device is used to at least intermittently measure a physiological parameter of the person using the respective device to obtain a physiological parameter reading for each measurement. The physiological parameter reading is associated with the respective device identifier of the device by which, the respective location identifier of the cell in which, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained. The associated information is stored at a remote location. A system and a physiological parameter device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of capturing and monitoring at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of a group of at least one person, the method comprising:

dividing the area into cells, each having a unique location identifier by providing a plurality of access stations in a spatial arrangement within the area, thereby dividing the area into cells;

providing each person with a device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person, each device having a unique device identifier and the at least one physiological parameter being indicative of whether the person has a physical condition;

at least intermittently measuring a physiological parameter of each person using the device provided to the person, to obtain a physiological parameter reading for each measurement;

transmitting, by the device, a physiological parameter reading obtained by the device and the device identifier of the device;

receiving the transmitted physiological parameter reading and device identifier by the access station of the cell in which the physiological parameter reading is obtained;

associating each physiological parameter reading with the device identifier of the device by which, the location identifier of the cell in which, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained; and

storing, as a record, each physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and time;

comparing the physiological parameter reading of at least one record with a physiological parameter threshold value to determine whether any person of the group of at least one person has a physical condition;

identifying and locating a person having the physical condition on the basis of the device identifier and the location identifier; and

determining whether there are further persons of the group of at least one person in a vicinity of a person having the physical condition, by comparing the location identifier and time of the record of the person having the physical condition with the location identifier and time of each of at least one further record.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

transmitting a physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and time to a remote location prior to storing them at the location.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising comparing each physiological parameter reading with a first predetermined physiological parameter threshold value to determine whether the person wearing the device by which the reading is obtained, is wearing the device properly.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating an alert message indicating the identity and location of the person, if the person is determined not to be wearing the device properly.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising comparing each physiological parameter reading with a second physiological parameter threshold value to determine whether the person wearing the device by which the reading is obtained, has a physical condition.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising generating an alert message indicating the identity and location of the person, if the person is determined to have the physical condition.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

matching a time and location identifier associated with at least one physiological parameter reading obtained by a device of at least one other person with those of the identified and located person, and

identifying the at least one other person to have been in physical proximity to of the identified and located person if there is a match.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second predetermined physiological parameter threshold value is predetermined individually.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by an access station, a physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and time.

10. A system for capturing and monitoring at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of a group of at least one person, the system comprising:

a remote control unit; and

a plurality of access stations provided in a spatial arrangement within the area, thereby dividing the area into cells;

wherein each access station is associated with a cell, has a unique location identifier, is connected to the control unit, and is configured to receive, from a physiological parameter device attached to a person in the cell, a physiological parameter reading obtained by the device and a unique device identifier of the device;

wherein the received physiological parameter reading, the received device identifier, the location identifier of the access station, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained, are transmitted by the access station to the control unit and stored as a first record at the control unit, said physiological parameter reading, device identifier, location identifier, and time being associated with each other;

wherein the control unit is configured to compare the physiological parameter reading of at least one record with a physiological parameter threshold value to determine whether any person of the group of at least one person has a physical condition;

wherein the control unit is further configured to identify and locate a person having the physical condition on the basis of the device identifier and the location identifier;

wherein the control unit is further configured to determine whether there are further persons of the group of at least one person in a vicinity of a person having the physical condition, by comparing the location identifier and time of the record of the person having the physical condition with the location identifier and time of each of at least one further record.

11. The system according to claim 10, further comprising at least one physiological parameter measuring device that is attachable to each person for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person, each device having a unique device identifier and being in communication with the access station of a cell when it is within the cell.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is further configured to provide information corresponding to the device identifier and the location identifier that are associated with each physiological parameter reading, for identifying and locating the person having the physical condition.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein each physiological parameter measuring device comprises:

a transducer;

a transmitter; and

a processor connected to the transducer and the transmitter, wherein the processor is configured to control the transducer in such a way that the transducer at least intermittently measures a physiological parameter of a person and to control the transmitter in such a way that the transmitter transmits a reading corresponding to the measured physiological parameter.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the physiological parameter measuring device is adapted to be attached to a person such that it is capable of measuring a physiological parameter at the abdomen of the person.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the physiological parameter measured is a body temperature of a person, and wherein a physiological parameter correction factor is determined from the difference between an oral temperature and an abdomen temperature of the person.

16. A system for capturing and monitoring at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of a group of at least one person, the system comprising:

a remote control unit;

a plurality of access stations provided in a spatial arrangement within the area, thereby dividing the area into cells, wherein each access station is associated with a cell, has a unique location identifier, and is connected to the control unit; and

at least one physiological parameter measuring device that is attachable to each person for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person to obtain a physiological parameter reading for each measurement, each device having a unique device identifier and being in communication with the access station of a cell when it is within the cell;

wherein each physiological parameter measuring device is configured to transmit a physiological parameter reading obtained by the device and the device identifier of the device;

wherein the access station of each cell is configured to receive the transmitted physiological parameter reading and device identifier of a device, if the device is within the cell, and to transmit the received physiological parameter reading, the received device identifier, the location identifier of the access station, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained, to the control unit, said physiological parameter reading, device identifier, location identifier, and time being associated with each other;

wherein each physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and the time are stored as a record at the control unit; and

wherein the control unit is configured to

(a) compare the physiological parameter reading of at least one record with a physiological parameter threshold value to determine whether any person of the group of at least one person has a physical condition;

(b) identify and locate a person having the physical condition on the basis of the device identifier and the received location identifier; and

(c) determine whether there are further persons of the group of at least one person in a vicinity of a person having the physical condition, by comparing the location identifier and time of the record of the person having the physical condition with the location identifier and time of each of at least one further record.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein each physiological parameter measuring device comprises:

a transducer;

a transmitter; and

a processor connected to the transducer and the transmitter, wherein the processor is configured to control the transducer in such a way that the transducer at least intermittently measures a physiological parameter of a person and to control the transmitter in such a way that the transmitter transmits a reading corresponding to the measured physiological parameter.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the physiological parameter measured is a body temperature of a person, and wherein a physiological parameter correction factor is determined from the difference between an oral temperature and an abdomen temperature of the person.

19. A method of capturing and monitoring at least a physiological parameter comprising body temperature and movement within an area of a group of at least one person, the method comprising:

dividing the area into cells, each having a unique location identifier, by providing a plurality of access stations in a spatial arrangement within the area, thereby dividing the area into cells;

providing each person with a device for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person, each device having a unique device identifier and the at least one physiological parameter being indicative of whether the person has a physical condition;

at least intermittently measuring a physiological parameter of each person using the device provided to the person, to obtain a physiological parameter reading for each measurement;

transmitting, by the device, a physiological parameter reading obtained by the device and the device identifier of the device;

receiving the transmitted physiological parameter reading and device identifier, by the access station of the cell in which the physiological parameter reading is obtained;

adjusting the physiological parameter reading on the basis of a physiological parameter correction factor, the correction factor being determined from a difference between an oral temperature and an abdomen temperature;

associating each adjusted physiological parameter readings with the device identifier of the device by which, the received location identifier of the cell in which, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained; and

storing each adjusted physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and time.

20. A system for capturing and monitoring at least a physiological parameter comprising body temperature and movement within an area of a group of at least one person, the system comprising

a remote control unit;

a plurality of access stations provided in a spatial arrangement within the area, thereby dividing the area into cells, wherein each access station is associated with a cell, has a unique location identifier, and is connected to the control unit; and

at least one physiological parameter measuring device that is attachable to each person for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the person to obtain a physiological parameter reading for each measurement, each device having a unique device identifier and being in communication with the access station of a cell when it is within the cell;

wherein each physiological parameter measuring device is configured to transmit a physiological parameter reading obtained by the device and the device identifier of the device;

wherein the access station of each cell is configured to receive the transmitted physiological parameter reading and device identifier of a device, if the device is within the cell, and to transmit the received physiological parameter reading, the received device identifier, the location identifier of the access station, and a time at which the physiological parameter reading is obtained, to the control unit, said physiological parameter reading, device identifier, location identifier, and time being associated with each other;

wherein each physiological parameter reading is adjusted on the basis of a physiological parameter correction factor, the correction factor being determined from a difference between an oral temperature and an abdomen temperature; and

wherein each adjusted physiological parameter reading and its associated device identifier, location identifier, and time are stored as a record at the control unit.