Method and apparatus for remotely monitoring the condition of a patient

• US 20040102683A1
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carematix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carematix, Inc.
• Inventors: Khanuja, Sukhwant Singh, Singh, Irwin Preet, Garg, Sandeep
• Granted Patent: US 7,448,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 : Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system which provides enhanced functional capability relative to known systems and provides a wireless communication link between a patient monitoring device, worn by a patient, and a local hub. The patient monitoring system in accordance with the present invention is adapted to monitor various patient physiological characteristics, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, blood glucose, weight, pulse oximetry and others. The data from the patient monitoring device is wirelessly transmitted to a local hub, which, in turn, is configured to automatically transfer the data to a remote server, for example, over a public or private communications network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server is configured as a web portal to selectively allow access to such patient physiological data by designated third parties, such as physicians, clinicians, relatives and the patient themselves. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the system provides for enhanced functionality relative to known systems and allows trends of the physiological data to be selectively generated. In addition, any third party can set thresholds to automatically notify the patient or other third parties by various communication methods including e-mail and/or pager when a particular physiological characteristic exceeds a predetermined threshold. The system is also configured to provide reminders to patients to take readings.

Claims

1. A patient monitoring system comprising:

a patient monitoring device which includes a physiological transducer for monitoring physiological characteristic data of a patient and a wireless communication system for transmitting said physiological characteristic data to a remote hub over a first wireless communication link;

the remote hub which includes a second communication system for receiving said physiological characteristic data over said first wireless communication link from said patient monitoring device and transmitting said physiological characteristic data to a remote server over a second communication link; and

the remote server, including a third communication system for receiving said physiological characteristic data over said second communication link, said remote server configured as a portal to selectively enable third party access to said physiological characteristic data.