Attitude indicator and activity monitoring device

• US 20010032059A1
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Jeffrey L. Simmons, Noc.Watch International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Jeffrey L. Simmons, Paul B. Kelly Jr
• Inventors: Kelly, Paul B. Jr., Schoendorfer, Donald W., Simmons, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,611,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• 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 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit

Abstract

An attitude indicator device for detecting, indicating, and/or logging the positional attitude of an individual in response to deviation from a set of one or more reference angles. By way of example and not of limitation, the device is mounted on the thigh of a patient and measurements are taken from an acceleration sensor within the device. The acceleration measurements are communicated to a receiver when the measurements deviate from acceptable thresholds, whereby the receiver indicates an alert condition. The device may be employed within numerous medical related applications, for example, to facilitate preventing patient egress and the prevention/detection of patient falls.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a change in the physical orientation of an individual, comprising:

(a) a sensor configured for detecting a change in physical orientation of an individual and generating a signal in response thereto;

(b) a transmitter operatively coupled to said orientation sensor and configured for transmitting said signal;

(c) means for positioning said sensor and said transmitter on the body of said individual being monitored; and

(d) means responsive to said transmitter for providing an indication of change in physical orientation of said individual.

2. A system as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said means for providing an indication of change in physical orientation of said individual comprises:

(a) a receiver; and

(b) an indicator operably coupled to said receiver, said indicator selected from the group of indicators consisting of visual, audible, and tactile indicators.

3. A system as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a power supply coupled to said transmitter.

4. A system as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a control circuit operably connected to said sensor and configured to conditionally generate said signal in response to orientation measurements received from said sensor which fall outside of a predetermined range.

5. A system as recited in

claim 4

, wherein said predetermined range comprises a range of downward angles which exceed a threshold within the range of from approximately sixty to approximately eighty degrees.

6. A system as recited in

claim 5

, wherein the downward angle threshold is approximately seventy degrees.

7. A system as recited in

claim 4

, wherein said signal comprises at least one binary value, true or false, that indicate a relationship between a sensed orientation and the bounds of the predetermined range.

8. A system as recited in

claim 4

, wherein said control circuit includes a low power mode that is capable of selectively supply power to said sensor.

9. A system as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said signal comprises positional measurements of orientation.

10. A system as recited in

claim 9

, wherein said signal is generated from said sensor at substantially fixed intervals.

11. A device containing electrical circuits which is adapted for attachment to the body of an individual for generating positional attitude information about the portion of said individual'"'"'s body upon which it is attached, comprising:

(a) an orientation sensor that is electrically responsive to orientation of said individual and capable of generating electrical orientation signals in response to the orientation of said sensor;

(b) a transmitter capable of communicating data from said sensor a remote receiver capable of displaying and/or annunciating the received data;

(c) a control circuit electrically connected to said sensor and said transmitter and capable of processing the orientation signals from said sensor into orientation data sent to said transmitter; and

(d) a power source capable of supplying power to the control circuit, the transmitter, and the sensor.

12. A device as recited in

claim 11

, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

13. A device as recited in

claim 11

, wherein said orientation data is sent to said transmitter in response to the values associated with said orientation data crossing one or more predetermined thresholds.

14. A device as recited in

claim 13

, wherein said orientation data is sent to said transmitter as one or more binary values, true or false, indicating the relationship with said predetermined threshold value.

15. A device as recited in

claim 11

, wherein said orientation data is sent to said transmitter periodically.

16. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a first temperature sensor operably connected to said control circuit and positioned within said device to provide thermal communication with the body to which the device is attached.

17. A device as recited in

claim 16

, wherein said control circuit is configured to transmit said temperature measurement by means of said transmitter to a remote indicating device.

18. A device as recited in

claim 16

, wherein said control circuit is configured to detect device removal in response to temperature measurements and changes thereto, said control circuit capable thereupon of generating an device removal alert for receipt by a remote indicating means.

19. A device as recited in

claim 18

, further comprising a second temperature sensor operably connected to said control circuit and positioned near an exterior of said device, wherein said control circuit is conditioned to improve discernment of said device being removed from the body to which it is attached.

20. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a base member upon which the electrical circuits of the device may be attached to form a medical appliance.

21. A device as recited in

claim 20

, wherein said medical appliance is configured for adhesive attachment to the skin of an individual.

22. A device as recited in

claim 21

, wherein said medical appliance is configured for attachment to the posterior thigh of said individual.

23. A device as recited in

claim 20

, wherein said base member comprises a printed circuit board that provides for electrical connectivity between the electrical circuits of the device.

24. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further wherein said sensor, transmitter, control circuit and power source is enclosed within a material capable of limiting the environmental exposure thereto.

25. A device as recited in

claim 11

, wherein the control circuit is capable of generating an alert signal for transmission by said transmitter when the sensor inclination exceeds a predetermined downward angle threshold in relation to a horizontal line.

26. A device as recited in

claim 25

, wherein the control circuit is configured to allow selection of the predetermined downward angle.

27. A device as recited in

claim 25

, wherein the control circuit is configured for a predetermined downward angle threshold ranging from approximately five to approximately fifteen degrees when the device is configured for attachment to relatively immobile individuals

28. A device as recited in

claim 25

, wherein the control circuit is configured for a predetermined downward angle threshold within the range of from approximately sixty to approximately eighty degrees for use with relatively mobile individuals.

29. A device as recited in

claim 28

, wherein the downward angle threshold is approximately seventy degrees.

30. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a low power, or sleep, mode of the electrical circuits within the device that may be selectively engaged to lower the power dissipation of the device.

31. A device as recited in

claim 30

, wherein the low power, or sleep, mode is controlled by the control circuit that selectively configures the orientation sensor into a standby mode in which less power is dissipated.

32. A device as recited in

claim 31

, wherein the control circuit selects the low power, or sleep, mode in response to predetermined timing intervals.

33. A device as recited in

claim 30

, wherein the control circuit is capable of engaging the low power, or sleep, mode in response to device conditions.

34. A device as recited in

claim 30

, further comprising a motion activated wake up switch operably connected to the control circuit for conditioning the low power mode of the circuit.

35. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a device removal detector operably connected to said control circuit and whose output is responsive to the removal of the device from the individual.

36. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a unique identification number encoded within the electrical circuits of the device and capable of transmission by said transmitter.

37. A device as recited in

claim 11

, further comprising a power switch integral the device for selective power engagement to the electrical circuits therein.

38. A device as recited in

claim 37

, wherein said power switch is configured comprising a sealed switch which is activated through the sealing material which surrounds the device.

39. A system for detecting egress of an individual from a bed, or chair, comprising:

(a) means for transmitting an alert in response to the detection of a sufficient downward angle, said transmitting means configured for attachment to the thigh of said individual; and

(b) means for indicating said alert in response to the downward angle as received from said transmitting means.

40. A system as recited in

claim 39

, wherein said transmitting means comprises:

(a) an orientation detector which generates an output signal when subjected to said sufficient downward angle;

(b) a transmitter operably connected to said orientation detector; and

(c) a power source operable connected to provide operating current to said orientation detector and said transmitter.

41. A system as recited in

claim 40

, wherein the downward angle is sufficient for triggering the orientation sensor when it exceeds a threshold within the range from approximately sixty to approximately eighty degrees downward from the horizontal.

42. A system for monitoring a change in the physical orientation of an individual, comprising:

(a) a sensor configured for detecting a change in physical orientation of an individual and generating a signal in response thereto;

(b) a transmitter operatively coupled to said orientation sensor and configured for transmitting said signal; and

(c) a receiver responsive to said transmitter and configured to provide an indication of change in physical orientation of said individual.

43. A system as recited in

claim 42

, further comprising a power supply coupled to said transmitter.

44. A system as recited in

claim 42

, further comprising a control circuit operably connected to said sensor and configured to conditionally generate said signal in response to orientation measurements received from said sensor which fall outside of a predetermined range.

45. A system as recited in

claim 44

, wherein said predetermined range comprises a range of downward angles which exceed a threshold within the range of from approximately sixty to approximately eighty degrees.

46. A system as recited in

claim 45

, wherein the downward angle threshold is approximately seventy degrees.

47. A system as recited in

claim 44

, wherein said signal comprises at least one binary value, true or false, that indicate a relationship between a sensed orientation and the bounds of the predetermined range.

48. A system as recited in

claim 44

, wherein said control circuit includes a low power mode that is capable of selectively supply power to said sensor.

49. A system as recited in

claim 42

, wherein said signal comprises positional measurements of orientation.

50. A system as recited in

claim 49

, wherein said signal is generated from said sensor at substantially fixed intervals.

51. A system for detecting egress of an individual from a bed, or chair, comprising:

(a) a transmitting unit configured for attachment to the thigh of said individual, said transmitting unit comprising,

(i) an orientation detector which generates an output signal when subjected to a predetermined downward angle;

(ii) a transmitter operably connected to said orientation detector; and

(iii) a power source operable connected to provide operating current to said orientation detector and said transmitter; and

(b) an alert indicator responsive to the downward angle received from said transmitting unit.

52. A system as recited in

claim 51

, further comprising a power supply coupled to said transmitter.

53. A system as recited in

claim 52

, further comprising a control circuit operably connected to said orientation detector and configured to conditionally generate said signal in response to orientation measurements received from said orientation detector which fall outside of a predetermined range.

54. A system as recited in

claim 53

, wherein said predetermined range comprises a range of downward angles which exceed a threshold within the range of from approximately sixty to approximately eighty degrees.

55. A system as recited in

claim 54

, wherein the downward angle threshold is approximately seventy degrees.

56. A system as recited in

claim 53

, wherein said signal comprises at least one binary value, true or false, that indicate a relationship between a sensed orientation and the bounds of the predetermined range.

57. A system as recited in

claim 53

, wherein said control circuit includes a low power mode that is capable of selectively supply power to said sensor.

58. A system as recited in

claim 51

, wherein said signal comprises positional measurements of orientation.

59. A system as recited in

claim 59

, wherein said signal is generated from said sensor at substantially fixed intervals.

60. A method for detecting egress of an individual from a bed, chair, or wheelchair, comprising:

configuring an electrical transmitter circuit to generate a transmission in response to a sufficient downward tilt angle in relation to the horizontal;

attaching said electrical transmitter to the thigh of an individual whose egress is to be monitored; and

configuring an electrical receiver for reception of said transmissions and the concomitant indication of tilt angle thereof.

61. A method as recited in

claim 61

, wherein the sufficient downward tilt angle is produced when the downward angle exceeds approximately seventy degrees of declination from the horizontal.