VITAL SIGN-MONITORING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE OPTICAL MODULES

• US 20060122520A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matthew Banet
• Original Assignee: Matthew Banet
• Inventors: Visser, Henk, Banet, Matthew John, Morris, Brett George
• Application Number:
  US10/904,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/503
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

The invention features a medical device that measures vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and heart rate) from a patient using at least two optical modules. Each optical module typically features two light sources (red, infrared) and a photodetector. Both optical modules are configured to measure time-dependent signals describing the patient'"'"'s flowing blood. A processor analyzes the time-dependent signals to determine the patient'"'"'s vital signs. Once the vital signs are measured, a wireless transmitter in the body-worn device transmits them to an external device. Processing signals from least two optical modules compensates for motion-related artifacts and noise normally present in signals used to determine vital signs from a device featuring just a single optical module.

Claims

1. A medical device for measuring vital signs from a patient, comprising:

a first optical module comprising a first light source and a first photodetector, the first light source and first photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery;

a second optical module comprising a second light source and a second photodetector, the second light source and second photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery; and

a processor, in electrical communication with the first and second photodetector, configured to run a firmware algorithm that processes signals from the first and second photodetectors to determine at least one vital sign from the patient.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical modules are comprised by a finger-worn component.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the first and second optical modules are comprised by a ring configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s finger.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical modules are comprised by a component that attaches to the patient'"'"'s ear or forehead.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the microprocessor comprises an analog-to-digital converter that receives analog signals from the first and second photodetectors and converts them into digital signals.

7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the firmware algorithm processes the digital signals to determine at least one vital sign.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the firmware algorithm is configured to process the signals from the first and second photodetectors to at least determine the patient'"'"'s pulse oximetry, heart rate, and blood pressure.

9. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a short-range wireless component that sends information describing the patient'"'"'s vital signs to an external device.

10. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a wrist-worn component.

11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the first and second optical modules and the processor are comprised by the wrist-worn component.

12. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the firmware algorithm is configured to average signals from at least the first and second optical modules.

13. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the firmware algorithm is configured to select at least one signal from at least the first and second optical modules.

14. A medical device for measuring blood pressure from a patient, comprising:

a first optical module comprising a first light source and a first photodetector, the first light source and first photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery;

a second optical module comprising a second light source and a second photodetector, the second light source and second photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery; and

a processor, in electrical communication with the first and second photodetector, configured to run a firmware algorithm that processes signals from the first and second photodetectors to determine a blood pressure value from the patient.

15. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the first and second optical modules are comprised by a finger-worn component.

16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the first and second optical modules are comprised by a component that attaches to the patient'"'"'s ear or forehead.

17. A medical device for measuring vital signs from a patient, comprising:

a first optical module comprising a first light source and a first photodetector, the first light source and first photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery;

a second optical module comprising a second light source and a second photodetector, the second light source and second photodetector oriented to optically measure blood flowing in an underlying artery;

a processor, in electrical communication with the first and second photodetector, configured to run a firmware algorithm that processes signals from the first and second photodetectors to determine at least one vital sign from the patient; and

a short-range wireless component, in electrical communication with the processor, configured to send vital sign information to an external device.