Hard disk drive medical monitor with alert signaling system

• US 7,247,136 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Flechsig, Karl Arthur, Gillis, Donald Ray, Feliss, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): KOWALEWSKI, FILIP A
• Application Number:
  US10/882,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-587, 128/899, 128903-905, 128920-925, 607/9, 607/30
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0255 Recording instruments specially adapted therefor
• 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 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A medical monitor is disclosed for implantation in a human body for monitoring biological activity and states as detected by implanted sensors. The medical monitor includes at least one hard disk drive. A transmitter and receiver produces and receives signals. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the at least one disk drive. An enclosure surrounds the at least one hard disk drive. An alert mechanism which is used to signal the user of medical and maintenance conditions is included.

Claims

1. A medical monitor for implantation in the user'"'"'s body for monitoring data on biological activity and states gathered from sensors implanted in the user'"'"'s body, said medical monitor comprising:

at least one hard disk drive;

an enclosure surrounding said at least one hard disk drive;

a transmitter and receiver for producing and transmitting signals, said medical monitor being in communication with said sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on said at least one hard disk drive; and

an alert mechanism which is used to signal the user of medical and maintenance conditions wherein said at least one hard disk drive comprises a primary drive that is located within said enclousure which is implanted with the body of a user and a secondary drive located outside of the body of the user, wherein said primary and secondary drives are in radio contact so that said secondary drive mirrors said primary drive, and said alert mechanism signals the user that a back-up to the secondary hard disk drive is scheduled to be performed.

2. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said signal initiated by said alert mechanism is sent by said radio frequency transmitter to medical personnel.

3. The medical monitor of claim 2, wherein:

said transmitter includes a GPS transmitter and said alert is sent by GPS transmission.

4. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism includes a buzzer.

5. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism includes a vibration motor.

6. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism includes a piezo micro-speaker.

7. The medical monitor of claim 6, wherein:

said at least one hard disk drive includes a text to speech algorithm and said alert mechanism transmits voice messages through said piezo micro-speaker.

8. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism is a local alert.

9. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism is a remote alert.

10. The medical monitor of claim 1, wherein:

said alert mechanism gives warning of high or low conditions of implanted sensors.