BODY-WORN VITAL SIGN MONITOR

• US 20110224507A1
• Filed: 04/19/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: MOON, Jim, BANET, Matt
• Granted Patent: US 8,591,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• 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 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

The invention provides a body-worn vital sign monitor that measures a patient'"'"'s vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling) and posture (upright, supine). The monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs and associated alarms/alerts by motion-related artifacts. It also features a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on a touchpanel display that facilitates a number of features to simplify and improve patient monitoring and safety in both the hospital and home.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising the following steps:

(a) contacting at least one of a display device and an area proximal to the display device with a patient monitor comprising a motion sensor, the contacting causing the motion sensor to generate a motion signal;

(b) transmitting the motion signal to a computer;

(c) processing the motion signal with the computer to associate the patient monitor with the display device;

(d) measuring at least one set of vital sign information from the patient with the patient monitor; and

(e) displaying the at least one set of vital sign information on the display device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion signal is a time-dependent waveform.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the time-dependent waveform comprises a pulse.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step further comprises processing the motion signal and a location of the display device to associate the patient monitor with the display device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step for determining the location of the display device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the patient monitor further comprises a wireless transmitter.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to operate on a wireless network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step for determining the location of the display device further comprises analyzing signals characterizing a signal strength between multiple access points operating on the wireless network and the wireless transmitter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step for determining the location of the display device further comprises triangulating at least three values of signal strength, with each value of signal strength characterizing a signal between an individual access point operating on the wireless network and the wireless transmitter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step for determining the location of the display device further comprises comparing an approximate location value determined by triangulating the at least three values of signal strength with a map grid.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the map grid comprises a true location value of the display device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step for determining the location of the display device further comprises comparing an approximate location value that is proximal to a true location value comprised by the map grid.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step for determining the location of the display device further comprises comparing an approximate location value to a true location value within a pre-determined radius.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pre-determined radius is between 1-5 m.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the computer is a remote computer configured to receive signals from the patient monitor through the wireless transmitter.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the display device is configured to receive signals from the remote computer through the network.

2. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising the following steps:

(a) contacting at least one of the display device and an area proximal to the display device with a patient monitor comprising a motion sensor and a wireless transmitter, the contacting causing the motion sensor to generate a motion signal;

(b) wirelessly transmitting the motion signal from the patient monitor to a remote computer over a wireless network using the wireless transmitter;

(c) processing wireless signals received by multiple wireless access points on the wireless network to determine an approximate location of at least one of the patient monitor and the display device;

(d) processing the motion signal and the approximate location of at least one of the patient monitor and the display device to associate the patient monitor with the display device;

(e) measuring at least one set of vital sign information from the patient with the patient monitor; and

(f) displaying the at least one set of vital sign information on the display device.

3. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising:

measuring at least one set of vital sign information from the patient with a patient monitor comprising a motion sensor and a wireless transmitter; and

displaying the at least one set of vital sign information on a display device, the display device and the patient monitor paired together by analyzing a first motion signal generated by the display device and a second motion signal generated by the motion sensor after contacting at least one of the display device and an area proximal to the display device with the patient monitor.

4. A method for displaying information generated by a patient monitor on a display device, comprising:

contacting at least one of the display device and an area proximal to the display device with the patient monitor;

pairing the display device and the patient monitor by analyzing a first motion signal generated by a motion sensor comprised by the patient monitor and a second motion signal generated by the display device; and

wirelessly transmitting vital sign information measured by the patient monitor to the paired display device.

5. A system for measuring a patient, comprising:

a patient monitor comprising a motion sensor and a wireless transmitter;

a display device;

a remote server connected to the patient monitor through the wireless transmitter and to the display device through a network, the remote server configured to receive a motion signal generated with the motion sensor after the patient monitor contacts at least one of the display device and an area proximal to the display device; and

an algorithm operating on the remote server configured to associate the patient monitor with the display device so that the display device receives vital sign information measured by the patient monitor and transmitted through the network, the algorithm comprising collectively analyzing the motion signal and a location of the display device.

6. A system for measuring a patient, comprising:

a patient monitor comprising a motion sensor and a wireless transmitter;

a display device;

a computer connected to the patient monitor and to the display device through a network, the computer configured to receive a motion signal generated with the motion sensor after the patient monitor contacts at least one of the display device and an area proximal to the display device; and

an algorithm operating on the computer configured to associate the patient monitor with the display device so that the display device receives vital sign information measured by the patient monitor and transmitted by the wireless transmitter, the algorithm comprising collectively analyzing the motion signal and a location of the display device.