BODY-WORN VITAL SIGN MONITOR

• US 20110224557A1
• 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: TROMMER, Gunner, MOON, Jim, BANET, Matt, DiBATTISTA, Caroline
• Granted Patent: US 8,727,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/485
• 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 system for monitoring a patient, comprising:

a vital sign monitor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body and comprising at least one vital sign sensor configured to measure a vital sign value;

a mentation sensor configured to collect data input characterizing a level of mentation of the patient;

a processing component comprising a microprocessor and a first interface to the vital sign sensor configured to receive the vital sign value, and a second interface to the mentation sensor configured to receive the data input, the processing component further configured to analyze the data input to determine a mentation parameter indicating the level of mentation of the patient; and

a wireless transmitter configured to receive the vital sign value and the mentation parameter from the processing component and transmit them over a wireless interface; and

,

a remote computer configured to receive the vital sign value and the mentation parameter from the vital sign monitor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mentation sensor comprises a touchpanel display.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the touchpanel display is further configured to render a graphical user interface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface comprises the set of input fields configured to collect data input characterizing the level of mentation of the patient.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the touchpanel display comprises a touch-sensitive area associated with each input field.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the touch-sensitive area is configured to generate a digital signal after being contacted.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein each input field comprises a unique graphical icon.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the set of input fields are organized to form a mentation test.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each input field comprises a numerical value, and the mentation test comprises an algorithm for determining if the input fields are contacted according to a numerical order corresponding to their numerical values.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the vital sign monitor further comprises a communication system configured to receive audio information from the patient.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication system comprises a microphone.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the communication system comprises a speech-to-text converter configured to convert audio information received by the microphone into digital information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the microprocessor comprises a third interface to the communication system, the third interface configured to receive the digital information.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless transmitter is further configured to transmit the digital information to the remote computer.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote computer comprises a display device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the remote computer is further configured to render both the vital sign value and a parameter determined from the mentation parameter on the display device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote computer comprises an alarming system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the alarming system is configured to generate an alarm if the mentation parameter or a parameter calculated therefrom exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flexible strap configured to attach the vital sign monitor the patient'"'"'s arm.

23. The system of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to display the vital sign value.

2. A system for monitoring a patient, comprising:

a vital sign monitor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body, comprising;

connecting means for attaching the vital sign monitor to the patient'"'"'s body;

at least one vital sign sensor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body and continuously measure a vital sign value;

a mentation sensor configured to collect data input characterizing a level of mentation of the patient;

a processing component comprising a microprocessor and a first interface to the vital sign sensor configured to receive the vital sign value, and a second interface to the mentation sensor configured to receive the data input, the processing component further configured to analyze the data input to determine a mentation parameter indicating the level of mentation of the patient; and

a wireless transmitter configured to receive the vital sign value and the mentation parameter from the processing component and transmit them over a wireless interface to a network; and

,

a remote computer comprising;

an interface to the network configured to receive the vital sign value and the mentation parameter from the vital sign monitor; and

a display configured to display the vital sign value and a mentation indicator determined from the mentation parameter.

3. A patient monitor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s body and comprising a sensor for continuously measuring blood pressure values;

a mentation sensor configured to determine a mentation parameter indicating a level of mentation of the patient; and

a wireless transmitter configured to receive a blood pressure value and the mentation parameter and transmit them over a wireless interface to a remote computer.

4. A patient monitor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s arm and receive signals from a sensor configured to be worn on the patient'"'"'s torso, the patient monitor comprising a processor that receives and processes the signals to continuously measure at least one vital sign value;

a mentation sensor configured to collect and analyze data input characterizing a level of mentation of the patient to determine a mentation parameter; and

a wireless transmitter configured to receive a vital sign value and the mentation parameter and transmit them over a wireless interface to a remote computer.