Method and apparatus for health and disease management combining patient data monitoring with wireless internet connectivity

• US 7,156,809 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.), Q-Tec Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Q-Tec Systems LLC
• Inventors: Quy, Roger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US11/156,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20050228245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/345, 600/365, 600/481, 600/483, 600/485, 600/509, 600/529, 600 5- 9, 607/27, 607 30- 32, 607/60, 128903-905, 128/920, 348/14.01, 725/116, 725/131, 705/2, 455/414.1, 455/426.1
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• 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 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0666 worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 : Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 : Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 : Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 : Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 : Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 : Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 : responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 : Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 : with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 : relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 : relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 : with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 : biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44213 : Monitoring of end-user related data arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 : Telephone telemetry

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless health monitoring system for interactively monitoring a disease or health condition of a patient by connecting a mobile phone to or with a digital camera and/or a medical monitoring device. The health related data or visual information from the camera is transmitted to a server using standard internet protocols and may be integrated with various operating systems for handheld or wireless devices, especially those with enhanced capabilities for handing images and visual data.

Claims

1. A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, containing instructions for causing a server in signal communication with the internet to:

provide a device application and user interface to an mobile phone, wherein the user interface or device application contains instructions for causing the mobile phone to receive data from a generic input/output port and from a camera;

receive a signal corresponding to a health parameter or a visual image from the mobile phone, the health parameter or visual image corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient;

calculate a response based at least in part on the received signal;

communicate the response to the mobile phone; and

display features according to the response.

2. A device for monitoring health, comprising:

a mobile phone in signal communication with a digital camera, the mobile phone running an application, the application functioning to accept inputs from the digital camera and from a communications port, the communications port including a wireless link to a network; and

a server application connected to the network and in communication with the mobile phone, the server application accessible by a caregiver for monitoring health as indicated by the mobile phone.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile phone is a cellular phone.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile phone is a satellite phone.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the digital camera is integral with the mobile phone.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile phone further comprises internal memory.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the internal memory is selected from the group consisting of:

microdrive, RAM, flash memory, and combinations of the above.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile phone further comprises an external memory.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the external memory is a memory card or memory stick.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the digital camera is not integral with the mobile phone.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the digital camera is connected to the mobile phone via a wired connection.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the digital camera is connected to the mobile phone via a wireless connection.

13. A device for monitoring health, comprising:

a mobile phone in signal communication with a digital camera, the mobile phone running an application, the application functioning to accept inputs from the digital camera and from a communications port, the communications port including a wireless link to a network, the mobile phone further having a port for connection to a medical device; and

a server application connected to the network and in communication with the mobile phone, the server application accessible by a caregiver for monitoring health as indicated by the mobile phone via the camera and a signal from the medical device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the mobile phone is a cellular phone.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the mobile phone is a satellite phone.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection between the mobile phone and the medical device is wired.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of:

blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, body weight scales, heart rate monitors, respiratory monitors, temperature monitors, ECG monitors, and combinations thereof.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the mobile phone further comprises internal memory.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the internal memory is selected from the group consisting of:

microdrive, RAM, flash memory, and combinations of the above.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the mobile phone further comprises an external memory.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the external memory is a memory card or memory stick.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection between the mobile phone and the medical device is wireless.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection is via a variety of 802.11.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection is via Bluetooth.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection is via IR.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection is via broadband wireless.

27. The device of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection is via wireless USB.

28. A method of wirelessly monitoring the disease state or condition of a patient, comprising:

providing a user interface and application to an mobile phone;

entering a health parameter to the mobile phone via a generic input/output port or entering a visual image to the mobile phone via a digital camera, the health parameter or visual image corresponding to a disease state or condition of a patient;

wirelessly transmitting the health parameter or visual image to a server;

receiving the determined health parameter at the server;

calculating a response based on the determined health parameter; and

delivering the response to the mobile phone.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the mobile phone is a cellular phone.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the mobile phone is a satellite phone.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the connection between the mobile phone and the medical device is wired.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of:

blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, body weight scales, heart rate monitors, respiratory monitors, temperature monitors, ECG monitors, and combinations thereof.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising transferring information between the medical device and the generic input/output port using an adaptor.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the digital camera is integral with the mobile phone.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the mobile phone further comprises internal memory.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the internal memory is selected from the group consisting of:

microdrive, RAM, flash memory, and combinations of the above.

37. The device of claim 28, wherein the mobile phone further comprises an external memory.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the external memory is a memory card or memory stick.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the digital camera is not integral with the mobile phone.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the digital camera is connected to the mobile phone via a wired connection.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the digital camera is connected to the mobile phone via a wireless connection.

42. The method of claim 28, wherein the connection between the mobile phone and the medical device is wireless.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless connection is via a variety of 802.11.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless connection is via Bluetooth.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless connection is via IR.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless connection is via broadband wireless.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless connection is via wireless USB.