Near field communication sensor system

• US 9,882,610 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2016
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Baker, Steven D., Hood, Michael Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan H
• Application Number:
  US15/346,361
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

A sensor system includes a person-supporting device with an antenna and a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device. A first sensor is configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient associated with the person-supporting device, and the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish wireless communication with the first sensor and receive data from the first sensor from a distance of at least 10 inches.

Claims

1. A sensor system, comprising:

a person-supporting device including an antenna and a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device;

a first sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a person associated with the person-supporting device;

wherein the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish wireless communication with the first sensor and receive data from the first sensor from a distance of at least 10 inches; and

wherein;

the first sensor includes a contact sensor configured to measure a first physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient;

the person-supporting device includes a substrate having the antenna mounted thereon; and

the sensor system further comprises a second sensor mounted on the substrate, wherein the second sensor includes a contactless sensor configured to measure a second physiological parameter of the patient without contacting the patient.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the person-supporting device includes at least one of a bed, a patient lift, and a wheel chair.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the person-supporting device includes a bed having a plurality of bedrails spaced apart from one another and extending from the bed, and wherein the antenna includes a plurality of coils wound about respective bedrails.

4. The sensor system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of coils includes first and second coils driven at a controlled phase of the first coil with respect to the second coil.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a conductive coil defining a semi-major axis of at least one-tenth wavelength.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna is integrated into the person-supporting device.

7. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the person-supporting device provides power to the NFC interrogation device.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a contact sensor configured to measure the physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the NFC interrogation device is mounted on the substrate.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a conductive plate.

11. A person-supporting system, comprising:

a plurality of person-supporting elements;

at least one antenna attached to at least one of the person-supporting elements; and

an amplifier connected to the at least one antenna; and

the person-supporting system, further comprising;

a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device, wherein the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish communication with and receive data from a first sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient.

12. The person-supporting system of claim 11, further comprising a bed, wherein the plurality of person-supporting elements includes first and second bedrails, and wherein the at least one antenna includes first and second coils wound about the bedrails.

13. The person-supporting system of claim 12, wherein the first and second coils are driven with a specific phase one to another.

14. The person-supporting system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of coils are wound to be tuned to a predetermined frequency.

15. The person-supporting system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of coils are arranged to achieve a Helmholtz configuration.

16. An interrogation device for receiving data from a patient sensor, comprising:

a person-supporting device;

a near-field communication (NFC) reader device mounted to the person-supporting device and configured to establish wireless communication with a first sensor and receive data from the first sensor;

wherein the person-supporting device provides data backhaul; and

wherein the person-supporting device includes a substrate having a contact sensor configured to measure a first physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient and a contactless sensor configured to measure a second physiological parameter of the patient without contacting the patient.

17. The interrogation device of claim 16, wherein the person-supporting device includes a bed having a plurality of person-support structures spaced apart from one another and extending from the bed, and wherein the person-support structures include at least one antenna.