Miniature multilead biotelemetry and patient location system

• US 5,153,584 A
• Filed: 03/14/1991
• Issued: 10/06/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Evaluation Center, Inc. (SHL Telemedicine Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Evaluation Center, Inc. (SHL Telemedicine Ltd.)
• Inventors: Engira, Ram M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/670,483
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.18, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.36, 340/825.45, 340/825.34, 340/825.49, 340/825.54, 340/572, 340/573, 364/413.02, 364/413.03, 128/903, 128/419 P, 128/419 PG
• US Class Current: 340/870.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6889 Rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1083 Pager locating systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A miniature multi-lead bio-telemetry and patient location systems includes one or more stationary location markers which transmit location data to an ECG unit worn by ambulatory patients. The electrocardiogram (ECG) unit monitors patient ECG data, a distress button and ECG unit status and combines this data with the location data received from one location marker and retransmits this combined data to a stationary receiver which may display the ECG data the system status data and the location data.

Claims

1. A patient location system for locating a patient within a plurality of bounded spaces comprising:

stationary location marker means fixed with respect to a bounded space for generating a location code;

patient identification means affixed to a patient for generating a patient identification signal;

low power link for communicating the location code from the stationary location marker means to the patient identification means only when the patient identification means is in the bounded space;

a physiological monitor means for monitoring a physiological signal from the patient;

first transmitter means affixed to the patient and communicating with the patient identification means and the physiological monitor means for transmitting the location code, the patient identification signal, and the physiological signal when the stationary location marker means is in communication with the patient identification means through the low power link; and

stationary receiver means for receiving the location code and patient identification signal whereby the patient identification means may be associated with the location means.

2. The patient location system of claim 1 wherein the low power link means is comprised of an infrared transmitter and receiver means for communicating by infrared light.

3. The patient location system as recited in claim 1 wherein the physiological signal is a continuous signal and wherein the first transmitter provides continuous transmission of the physiological signal.

4. The biotelemetry and patient location system of claim 1 wherein the patient identification signal is encoded in the carrier frequency of the first transmitter means.

5. A bio-telemetry and patient location system for monitoring physiological signals of a patient within a bounded space which comprises:

stationary location marker means for transmitting a presettable location code on a low power communication link, wherein said stationary location marker is fixed within a bounded space and the power level within the bounded space is above a signal threshold;

mobile receiver means attached to the patient for receiving said location code signal only if it is above the signal threshold and including a physiological monitor means for monitoring a physiological signal from the patient;

transmitter means communicating with the mobile receiver means for combining the location code signal received by the mobile receiver means with the physiological signal and transmitting the combined physiological signals and location code signal; and

stationary receiver means for receiving the transmitted combined physiological signals and location code.

6. The bio-telemetry and patient location system of claim 5 wherein the transmitter means includes means for transmitting the combined physiological signal and location code on a radio frequency channel, and wherein the stationary receiver means includes means to identify the radio frequency channel of the received combined physiological signal and corresponding location code.

7. The bio-telemetry and patient location system of claim 5 wherein the location code signal is transmitted serially on an infrared light beam.

8. The bio-telemetry and patient location system of claim 5 wherein the mobile receiver means includes a patient activated distress switch means activated by the patient for producing a distress signal, and wherein the transmitter means includes means for combining the distress signal with the location code wherein the combined distress signal and location code signal and physiological signal is transmitted by the transmitter means.

9. The bio-telemetry and patient location system of claim 5 including an electrode status detector means comprising:

impedance detector means for detecting electrode impedance outside of a predetermined range; and

light emitting diode means for producing a visible indication of a high impedance detected by the impedance detector means.