Apparatus and system for predictive health monitoring

• US 8,801,609 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Predictive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Predictive, Inc.
• Inventors: Beiswenger, John L., Taualofai, Jody L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): SORIANO, BOBBY GILES
• Application Number:
  US10/599,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20080306352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,428 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 600529-531, 433/215
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• 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 5/0803 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0871 Peak expiratory flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/09 using an element rotated by the flow toys actuated by air current A63H33/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus and system are provided for monitoring an individual, a group or a community of individuals for respiratory infections. Predictive health data, such as waking peak expiratory flow rate (“WPF”) and basal metabolic temperature (“BMT”) are measured and charted to provide an indication of early stage respiratory infection. Data may be collected for target populations and reported to health agencies for use in combating the spread of infection. An apparatus is provided which can simultaneously measure WPF and BMT and other health-condition-related values and automatically transmit readings to a data collection and analysis program on a remote computer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simultaneously measuring basal metabolic temperature, waking peak flow, plus one or more of heart rate, blood oxygen percentage and saliva acidity;

the apparatus comprising;

a fluid channel for passing exhaled fluid and having an impellor disposed therein for measuring peak volumetric flow of fluid through the fluid channel by sensing a rotating magnet within the impellor with a field-effect transistor counting the numbers of rotations per second of the impellor;

a mouthpiece positioned in line with the fluid channel for insertion into an individual'"'"'s mouth and forming a seal with the mouth and directing exhaled fluid into the fluid channel;

a rapid thermometer probe with a metallic tip disposed in the mouthpiece for measuring basal metabolic temperature at a sublingual location when the mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth;

a second probe with a metallic tip disposed in the mouthpiece for measuring saliva acidity at a sublingual location when the mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth; and

,

a digital memory for storing measured values for basal metabolic temperature, waking peak flow, and saliva acidity (Ph).

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a connector for transmitting the measured values to a remote location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless means for transmitting the measured values to a remote location.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid channel has at least one continuous wall extending from the mouthpiece to an exit.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rapid thermometer probe and the second probe are spaced apart from each and extend through the mouth piece and positioning on each side of a bottom of a tongue respectively.

5. A measuring apparatus comprising:

a mouthpiece configured to be placed in a user'"'"'s mouth and forming a fluid tight seal therewith during exhalation to direct exhaled fluid into the apparatus;

a fluid channel extending in a plane defined by a straight path from the mouthpiece to an exit;

an impellor disposed in the fluid channel;

a rotating magnet coupled to the impellor;

a field-effect transistor sensing the rotating magnet and counting the number of rotations per second of the impellor;

a rapid thermometer probe with a metallic tip disposed in the mouthpiece and measuring basal metabolic temperature in the user'"'"'s mouth; and

,

a second probe with a metallic tip disposed in the mouthpiece and measuring saliva acidity together with the first probe in the user'"'"'s mouth;

both probes being located in the mouthpiece to accurately position them in opposing lateral sublingual positions in the user'"'"'s mouth.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a memory storing measured values of basal metabolic temperature, peak flow and saliva acidity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an electrical connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a sensing module having a light source, the sensing module being disposed on the apparatus to accommodate one of the user'"'"'s fingers.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing module measures heart rate.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing module measures percentage of oxygen saturation in the finger.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a memory storing measured values of heart rate and percentage of oxygen saturation.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rapid thermometer probe and the second probe are spaced apart from each and extend through the mouth piece and for positioning on each side of a bottom of a tongue respectively.