Method and mechanism for assisted diagnosis and maintenance of health monitoring system

• US 20080157959A1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Care Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Intel-GE Care Innovations, LLC (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Denning, Donald R., Kuris, Benjamin, Ayer, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,294,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method of a health monitoring network which automates detection of faulty or failed sensors using real-time fault checking on a dynamically registered sensor data stream. The monitoring system and sensor network can provide a one-touch system to notify users when a sensor requires attention, without prior knowledge of the operational characteristics, installation method or configuration of sensors in the network. The network uses a decision engine to assist in maintenance according to a profile based on individual preferences and capabilities.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining a sensor network, comprising:

sensor network comprising at least one sensor;

a base station adapted to receive data from the sensor network;

the at least one sensor being adapted to communicate data to the base station;

a fault-detection system adapted to analyze data from the at least one sensor and determine an operating state of the at least one sensor, wherein the fault-detection system is located in the base station or on a remote computing resource; and

a decision engine embedded in the base station or on the remote computing source, the decision engine being adapted to activate a sensor attention indicator based on an output from the fault-detection system indicative of an operating state of the at least one sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station bi-directionally communicates with the at least one sensor

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to notify a detected fault on the at least one sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station hosts a secure, remotely-configurable bridge to the sensor network.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a visual and/or audible alarm.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a MEMs accelerometer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein upon initialization of communication between the base station and the at least one sensor, the system is adapted to start a registration process.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one sensor is adapted to send header information to the base station including at least one of the following;

information about data-type for scalar quantity measure by the device, valid range, units for the scalar, frequency of delivery, and a descriptive character string; and

the base station is adapted to reply with an acknowledgement message.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein upon receipt of an error signal from the base station, the at least one sensor actuates a detectable alarm.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision engine includes a user stored profile based on data supplied by a healthcare provider or a patient.

3. (canceled)

12. A method for maintaining a sensor network, comprising:

providing the sensor network comprising at least one sensor;

providing a base station adapted to receive data from the sensor network;

the at least one sensor being adapted to communicate data to the base station;

providing a fault-detection system adapted to analyze data from the at least one sensor and determine an operating state of the at least one sensor, wherein the fault-detection system is located in the base station or on a remote computing resource; and

providing a decision engine embedded in the base station or on the remote computing source, the decision engine being adapted to activate a sensor attention indicator based on an output from the fault-detection system indicative of an operating state of the at least one sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the base station bi-directionally communicates with the at least one sensor

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the system is adapted to notify a detected fault on the at least one sensor.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the base station hosts a secure, remotely-configurable bridge to the sensor network.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a visual and/or audible alarm.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is a MEMs accelerometer.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein upon initialization of communication between the base station and the at least one sensor, the system is adapted to start a registration process.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the registration process comprises:

sending, via the at least one sensor, header information to the base station including at least one of the following;

information about data-type for scalar quantity measure by the device, valid range, units for the scalar, frequency of delivery, and a descriptive character string; and

replying, via the base station, with an acknowledgement message.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein upon receipt of an error signal from the base station, the at least one sensor actuates a detectable alarm.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the decision engine includes a user stored profile based on data supplied by a healthcare provider or a patient.

14. (canceled)