Apparatus and method for two-way communication in a device for monitoring and communicating wellness parameters of ambulatory patients
First Claim
1. A medical system for monitoring and managing one or more ambulatory patients on a computer and allowing a caregiver to review the ambulatory patients'"'"' wellness parameters to provide treatment in accordance with the wellness parameters, the medical system comprising:
- a patient monitoring apparatus comprising a processing unit;
a sensor, operably coupled with the processing unit, the sensor detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient;
an output device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the output device prompting the patient with at least one question;
an input device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the input device permitting the patient to respond to the at least one question;
a first communication device operably coupled to the processing unit;
a central computer located remote from the patient monitoring apparatus and in communication therewith;
a second communication device operably coupled with the central computer;
wherein, the central computer is programmed with a set of instructions for cooperating with the second communication device to transmit to the first communication device of the patient monitoring apparatus the at least one question used for prompting the patient;
receive from the first communication device of the patient monitoring system at least one response to the at least one question and the at least one physiological parameter;
wherein the processing unit of the patient monitoring apparatus is programmed with a set of instructions for cooperating with the first communication device to receive the at least one question from the central computer;
prompt the patient with the at least one question via the output device;
receive at least one response to the at least one question via the input device; and
transmit the at least one response and the at least one physiological parameter to the central computer via the first communication device.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The monitoring device incorporates transducing devices for converting the desired measured parameters into electrical signals capable of being processed by a local computer or microprocessor system. The device receives a set of customized questions for presentation to an ambulatory patient. The device interacts with the ambulatory patient and then, via a modem or other electronic communication device, transmits the measured parameters and answers to the customized questions to a computer located at a remote site. At the remote location, the various indicia of the ambulatory patient'"'"'s condition are monitored and analyzed by the medical professional caregiver. To provide the ambulatory patient with an added level of convenience and ease of use, such monitoring device is contained in a single integrated package.
41 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A medical system for monitoring and managing one or more ambulatory patients on a computer and allowing a caregiver to review the ambulatory patients'"'"' wellness parameters to provide treatment in accordance with the wellness parameters, the medical system comprising:
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a patient monitoring apparatus comprising a processing unit;
a sensor, operably coupled with the processing unit, the sensor detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient;
an output device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the output device prompting the patient with at least one question;
an input device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the input device permitting the patient to respond to the at least one question;
a first communication device operably coupled to the processing unit;
a central computer located remote from the patient monitoring apparatus and in communication therewith;
a second communication device operably coupled with the central computer;
wherein, the central computer is programmed with a set of instructions for cooperating with the second communication device to transmit to the first communication device of the patient monitoring apparatus the at least one question used for prompting the patient;
receive from the first communication device of the patient monitoring system at least one response to the at least one question and the at least one physiological parameter;
wherein the processing unit of the patient monitoring apparatus is programmed with a set of instructions for cooperating with the first communication device to receive the at least one question from the central computer;
prompt the patient with the at least one question via the output device;
receive at least one response to the at least one question via the input device; and
transmit the at least one response and the at least one physiological parameter to the central computer via the first communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of monitoring and managing one or more ambulatory patients on a computer and allowing a caregiver to review the ambulatory patients'"'"' wellness parameters to provide treatment in accordance with the wellness parameters, the method comprising:
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receiving from a remote central computer at least one question to be used to prompt the patient;
measuring at least one physiological parameter;
storing the at least one measured physiological parameter;
prompting the patient with the at least one question; and
storing the patient'"'"'s at least one answer to the at least one question. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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25. A computerized method of providing health care to one or more ambulatory patients, the method comprising:
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using a computer to transmit to a remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one question used for prompting the patient;
using a computer to receive from the remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one response to the at least one question;
using a computer to receive from the remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one physiological parameter related to the patient; and
based at least in part upon the at least one response and the at least one physiological parameter, providing a medical treatment.
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26. A computerized method of monitoring and managing one or more ambulatory patients on a computer and allowing a caregiver to review the ambulatory patients'"'"' wellness parameters to provide treatment in accordance with the wellness parameters, the method comprising:
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on each of a first set of days, transmitting to a remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one question used for prompting the patient;
on each of a second set of days, receiving from the remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one response to the at least one question; and
on each of the second set of days, receiving from the remote patient monitoring apparatus at least one physiological parameter related to the patient.
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31. A medical system for monitoring and managing one or more ambulatory patients on a computer and allowing a caregiver to review the ambulatory patients'"'"' wellness parameters to provide treatment in accordance with the wellness parameters, the medical system comprising:
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a patient monitoring apparatus comprising a processing unit;
a sensor, operably coupled with the processing unit, the sensor detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient;
an output device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the output device prompting the patient with at least one question;
an input device, operably coupled with the processing unit, the input device permitting the patient to respond to the at least one question;
a first communication device operably coupled to the processing unit;
a central computer located remote from the patient monitoring apparatus and in communication therewith;
a second communication device operably coupled with the central computer;
wherein, the central computer is programmed with a set of instructions for cooperating with the second communication device to initiate a communication session, in which at least one question used for prompting the patient is transmitted to the first communication device.
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32. A system for monitoring an ambulatory patient and establishing communication to a caregiver regarding the wellness parameters of such an ambulatory patient between a first location and a remote central office location, said system comprising:
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a monitoring apparatus at said first location comprising;
(a) a physiological parameter transducing device, said device generating an electronic signal representative of the value of the physiological parameter being monitored;
(b) a central processor device, said central processor operatively coupled to said parameter transducing device and processing said physiological parameter electronic signals;
(c) an electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said communication device having one end operatively coupled to said processor and another end operatively coupled to a communication network;
(d) an output device operatively coupled to said processor and providing a series of queries to the ambulatory patient, each query of the series of queries is representative of symptoms the ambulatory patient may be experiencing;
(e) an input device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to receive and digitize vocalized inputs from the ambulatory patient in response to the series of queries;
a processing computer at a remote central office location in communication with said remote monitoring apparatus for exchanging information with said monitoring apparatus wherein the processor receives the electronic signal generated by the transducing device and the digitized vocalized inputs from the input device.
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33. An apparatus for monitoring an ambulatory patient'"'"'s wellness parameters and communicating the wellness parameters to a caregiver, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a physiological parameter transducing device, said device generating an electronic signal representative of the value of the physiological parameter being monitored;
(b) a central processor device, said central processor operatively coupled to said parameter transducing device and processing said physiological parameter electronic signals;
(c) an electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said communication device having one end operatively coupled to said processor and another end operatively coupled to a communication network;
(d) an output device operatively coupled to said processor and providing a series of queries to the ambulatory patient, each query of the series of queries is representative of symptoms the ambulatory patient may be experiencing;
(e) an input device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to receive inputs from the ambulatory patient in response to the series of queries;
(f) a base, said base including said physiological parameter transducing device;
(g) a support member, said support member having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said housing; and
(h) a hinge coupled to said support member and to said base, thereby permitting support member to fold into a position approximately parallel to said base. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for monitoring an ambulatory patient'"'"'s wellness parameters and communicating the wellness parameters to a caregiver, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a physiological parameter transducing device, said device generating an electronic signal representative of the value of the physiological parameter being monitored;
(b) a central processor device, said central processor operatively coupled to said parameter transducing device and processing said physiological parameter electronic signals;
(c) an electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said communication device having one end operatively coupled to said processor and another end operatively coupled to a communication network;
(d) an output device operatively coupled to said processor and providing a series of queries to the ambulatory patient, each query of the series of queries is representative of symptoms the ambulatory patient may be experiencing;
(e) an input device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to receive inputs from the ambulatory patient in response to the series of queries;
(f) wherein the transducing device measures the patient'"'"'s weight, and wherein the transducing device is configured and arranged, such that, when the apparatus is supported by a rigid surface, a plurality of measurements of a given weight results in a set of measurements characterized by a largest measurement and a smallest measurement, wherein the difference between the largest measurement and the smallest measurement is no more than 0.4 pounds. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification