Enhanced physiological monitoring devices and computer-implemented systems and methods of remote physiological monitoring of subjects
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12089914-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-17
Expiration Date
2035-07-29
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Abstract
Physiological sign monitoring devices, and systems and computer-implemented methods of remote physiological monitoring of subjects. A monitoring device includes a plurality of physiological sign monitoring portions. Each physiological sign monitoring portion of the device is configured for deployment on a different, respective surface of a subject including a surface on the back of an ear of the subject, a surface over a mastoid region of the neck of the subject, and a surface over another region of the neck of the subject. Each physiological sign monitoring portion of the device includes a plurality of physiological sensors, where each sensor is configured to generate a respective electronic signal based on a respective monitored physiological parameter of the subject. At least one physiological sensor in each physiological sign monitoring portion of the device is configured to generate a respective electronic signal based on the same monitored physiological parameter of the subject.
Core Innovation
The invention provides enhanced physiological monitoring devices, systems, and computer-implemented methods for remote physiological monitoring of subjects. The monitoring device includes a plurality of physiological sign monitoring portions, each configured for deployment on different, respective surfaces of a subject, such as a surface on the back of an ear, over a mastoid region of the neck, and over another region of the neck. Each physiological sign monitoring portion includes multiple physiological sensors configured to generate electronic signals based on different monitored physiological parameters. At least one sensor in each portion monitors the same physiological parameter to allow reliable measurement and analysis.
The problem addressed arises from limitations in conventional monitoring techniques which rely on dedicated, manual equipment that is costly, labor-intensive, sensitive, and ineffective for ambulatory patients or in contaminated environments such as trauma or battlefield scenarios. Extremity locations cause measurement errors due to hair, tattoos, limited blood flow, and motion, especially in emergencies where blood flow to extremities is restricted. Therefore, there is a critical need for real-time, continuous, accurate monitoring at body locations with high blood flow, minimal hair, and limited motion. The invention addresses these needs by providing devices that can monitor vital physiological signs remotely and continuously, and by means of systems and computer-implemented methods that facilitate automated, real-time prognoses and triage prioritization in mass casualty environments.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover monitoring devices and systems comprising physiological sign monitoring portions deployed at specific body surfaces of subjects, configured with particular physiological sensors, and computer-implemented methods for generating physiological sign values and providing prognoses and triage prioritization.
Monitoring device with first and second physiological parameter monitoring portions deployed on distinct specific surfaces
A monitoring device comprising a first physiological parameter portion configured for deployment on a surface on the back of an ear or over a mastoid region of the neck, including sensors for photoplethysmogram, electrocardiogram, ballistocardiogram, and skin conductance or resistance, and a second physiological parameter portion configured for deployment on a neck surface over pockets formed by specific muscle groups (trapezius/sternocleidomastoid/levator scapulae or scalene muscles), including sensors for electrocardiogram, ballistocardiogram, and skin conductance or resistance; the second portion receives data from the first and includes processing for generating values indicative of multiple real-time physiological signs based on these data.
Spatial separation of monitoring portions
The deployment surfaces of the first and second physiological monitoring portions are at least three inches apart on the subject.
Specific deployment locations for first and second monitoring portions
First portion deployed on the back of the ear and second portion deployed on the neck over the pocket formed between trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles under the levator scapulae.
Alternative specific deployment locations for first and second monitoring portions
First portion deployed over mastoid region of neck and second portion deployed on the neck over the pocket formed between posterior scalene and middle scalene muscles above trapezius.
Use of disposable electrodes with snap button interface
At least one physiological parameter portion includes a snap button configured to receive a disposable electrode.
Generation of multiple real-time physiological signs
Generation of machine-readable values indicative of motion-corrected pulse oximetry, motion-corrected respiratory rate or activity level, motion-corrected heart rate or heart rate variability, cuffless mean arterial and systolic/diastolic blood pressures or pre-ejection period, hydration, stress, galvanic skin response, bioimpedance, carbon dioxide in blood.
Data fusion for motion-corrected pulse oximetry
Using ballistocardiogram data from both monitoring portions, green light data, and infrared light data from the first portion as motion reference for generating motion-corrected pulse oximetry values.
Generation of respiratory rate and heart rate values using sensor data fusion
Generating respiratory rate or activity level values using ballistocardiogram, electrocardiogram or skin conductance/resistance, and photoplethysmogram data; generating heart rate or heart rate variability values using ballistocardiogram, green and infrared light data (for heart rate), and electrocardiogram data (for variability).
Generation of cuffless blood pressure and pre-ejection period values
Using ballistocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and photoplethysmogram data to generate cuffless mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values; using electrocardiogram data to generate pre-ejection period values.
Weighted averaging for cuffless blood pressure
Performing weighted averaging of pulse wave velocity technique outputs and at least three of five pulse transit time techniques involving combinations of electrocardiogram, photoplethysmogram, ballistocardiogram, and accelerometer-derived pulse arrival timings.
Generation of stress, hydration, galvanic skin response, bioimpedance and blood carbon dioxide values
Generating values indicative of these parameters using skin conductance or resistance data, electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram data, and motion-corrected respiratory rate and pulse oximetry values respectively.
Use of sweat chemistry data in generation of hydration and stress levels
Using sweat chemistry or composition data from the second physiological portion to assist in generating hydration and stress levels.
Use of temperature data to derive core body and cranial temperature
Using skin temperature data from both physiological parameter monitoring portions, together with subject activity level data, to generate core and cranial temperature values.
System comprising multiple monitoring devices with the same features as the monitoring device
A system comprising multiple monitoring devices with first and second physiological parameter monitoring portions deployed at the specified locations and configured with the specified sensors and processing capabilities to generate physiological sign values.
System with mobile communication and display device for receiving physiological sign values
System includes a mobile communication and display device with a communications interface to receive transmitted physiological sign values from the monitoring devices and a processor for processing and displaying these signals.
System with prognosis and alert generation
The mobile communication and display device further includes program code to periodically generate prognosis scores for subjects using physiological sign values and to generate alerts based on the prognosis scores.
System comprising remote physiological monitoring device with processing and transmission capabilities
A system including a monitoring device with first and second physiological parameter monitoring portions deployed at specified body surfaces with physiological sensors and processing capabilities, the device further including a transmitter for periodically transmitting generated physiological sign values; and a mobile communication and display device for receiving transmitted values and including a processor.
System with prognosis score generation and alerting
Mobile communication and display device includes program code executable to generate prognosis scores using received physiological sign values and to generate alerts based on prognosis scores.
The independent claims collectively disclose a physiological monitoring device comprising spatially separated physiological sign monitoring portions with specific sets of sensors deployed on targeted body surfaces, generating real-time physiological sign values. They cover systems incorporating multiple such devices transmitting data wirelessly to mobile communication and display devices programmed to generate prognosis scores and provide real-time alerts and triage prioritization based on multiple physiological parameters.
Stated Advantages
Significantly compresses cycle time of casualty monitoring, evaluation, decision-making, and treatment by medics, physicians, EMTs, or first responders to save lives.
Provides non-invasive, accurate, real-time monitoring of physiological parameters suitable for trauma, battlefield, emergency room, terrorist attack, or natural disaster environments with prevalent contaminants.
Facilitates dynamic, automated prognoses and triage prioritization for efficient treatment prioritization of multiple subjects in mass casualty scenarios.
Allows continuous two-way communications enabling remote physicians to receive physiological data, prognoses, and triage prioritization to enhance real-time decision-making and patient care instructions.
Supports real-time location data and group monitoring to improve casualty management, medical evacuation, and alerts notification.
Offers a low-cost, disposable monitoring solution suitable for harsh environments with mud, blood, sweat, and water.
Documented Applications
Field triage for multiple subjects in trauma, battlefield, terrorism, emergency room, natural disaster, or pandemic scenarios.
Prolonged field care monitoring, patient monitoring in emergency rooms, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, mental health facilities, drug rehab, hospice care, and low-cost operating room monitoring.
Telemedicine monitoring, sleep apnea monitoring, cardiac monitoring after heart surgery, ambulatory monitoring during transport or rescue.
Pediatric monitoring in NICU, daycare, schools, and youth sports, including geolocation monitoring.
Remote general wellness tracking for athletes, biohackers, chronic care patients, and professional stress monitoring.
Closed circuit fitness event monitoring for sports competitions with subject location and health condition monitoring.
At-risk employee monitoring such as for HAZMAT workers, pilots, truck drivers, divers, and athlete injury diagnosis.
Insurance physicals, interrogations monitoring, prisoner monitoring, sensitive skin monitoring, public health studies, research, search and rescue, disaster evacuation, pandemic response, and counter-terrorism operations.
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