Body-worn vital sign monitor

• US 8,591,411 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2010
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sotera Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Banet, Matt, Moon, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, Bill
• Assistant Examiner(s): JIAN, SHIRLEY XUEYING
• Application Number:
  US12/762,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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, wherein the motion signal is a time-dependent waveform comprising a pulse;

(b) transmitting the motion signal to a remote computer;

(c) transmitting the location of the patient monitor to the remote computer;

(d) processing the motion signal and the location of the patient monitor with the remote computer to determine the location of the display device, and to associate the patient monitor with the display device; and

(e) measuring at least one set of vital sign information with the patient monitor and displaying the vital sign information on the display device.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient monitor further comprises a wireless transmitter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to operate on a wireless network.

5. The method of claim 4, 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.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the computer is a remote computer configured to receive signals from the patient monitor through the wireless transmitter.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the display device is configured to receive signals from the remote computer through the network.

8. The method of claim 5, 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.

9. The method of claim 8, 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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the map grid comprises a true location value of the display device.

11. The method of claim 10, 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.

12. The method of claim 10, 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.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pre-determined radius is between 1-5 m.

14. 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 and a wireless transmitter, the contacting causing the motion sensor to generate a motion signal, wherein the motion signal is a time-dependent waveform comprising a pulse;

(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 the patient monitor and transmitting the approximate location of the patient monitor to the remote computer;

(d) processing the motion signal and the approximate location of the patient monitor to determine the location the display device, and 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.