Patient monitor alarm speaker analyzer
Inventors
Iswanto, Joy • Muhsin, Bilal • Jimenez, Raul
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12238489-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
2039-07-08
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Abstract
A patient monitor can diagnose whether its speaker is blocked, malfunctioning, or at a volume that is too low. For example, the monitor can include a processor that can diagnose the speaker by recording a microphone input signal. The processor can compare the microphone input signal to an expected alarm signal that should be output by the speaker. If the two do not match or reasonably correspond to one another, then the processor may increase the volume of the alarm to determine whether doing so can overcome an obstruction, noise, or potential malfunction. The microphone can again detect the speaker output, and the processor can again make another comparison or analysis of the input with the speaker output. If the speaker output as detected via the microphone is still insufficiently loud, then the patient monitor may output an indication that the speaker has a problem.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a patient monitor capable of autonomously diagnosing whether its speaker is blocked, malfunctioning, or operating at a volume that is too low. The monitor utilizes a processor and a microphone to evaluate the actual audio output from the speaker when an alarm is triggered. The process involves recording the microphone input signal during an alarm and comparing it to the expected alarm signal that should be produced by the speaker.
If the detected audio signal does not match or reasonably correspond to the expected output, the processor incrementally increases the alarm volume to test whether the issue results from an obstruction, environmental noise, or a malfunction. The microphone continues to monitor the speaker, and the processor repeats the analysis. If the output remains insufficiently loud after reaching the maximum volume, the monitor provides an error indication stating that the speaker is obstructed or malfunctioning.
This system addresses the problem of alarm failures in patient monitoring environments, such as hospitals, ambulances, or wearable devices, where speakers may become blocked, muffled, or drown in ambient noise, leading to the potential for missed critical alarms. It provides a mechanism for the monitor to detect such issues, notify clinicians or technicians locally or remotely, and, if applicable, switch to a secondary alarm method.
Claims Coverage
There are two independent claims in the patent: one directed to a patient monitor apparatus and one directed to a patient monitoring method, each containing a series of inventive features describing how the monitor diagnoses loudspeaker issues based on audio analysis.
Patient monitor diagnosing loudspeaker obstruction or malfunction
A patient monitor comprising: - At least one physiological sensor providing signals for patient measurement. - A microphone that receives audio from the environment. - A loudspeaker outputting an alarm when a measurement value triggers it. - A hardware processor configured to: - Receive and process the physiological sensor signal to determine the patient’s measurement value. - Determine when the measurement value triggers an alarm and output that alarm through the loudspeaker. - After outputting the alarm, receive the microphone signal and detect the presence of the alarm in the microphone input. - Compare the detected audio signal indicative of the alarm against an expected range. - If the detected audio signal is outside of the expected range, determine whether the loudspeaker is obstructed or malfunctioning. - If the loudspeaker is determined to be obstructed or malfunctioning, assess if the alarm is insufficiently loud. - If so, output an error indication stating the loudspeaker is obstructed or malfunctioning.
Patient monitoring method for detecting speaker output anomalies
A method controlled by a patient monitor that: 1. Receives a physiological signal from at least one sensor. 2. Determines a measurement value for a physiological parameter. 3. Triggers and outputs an alarm to a loudspeaker if appropriate. 4. After outputting the alarm, receives a microphone signal. 5. Detects the audio portion of the alarm in the microphone signal. 6. Determines if the detected alarm audio is outside of an expected range. 7. If the audio is outside the expected range, determines whether the loudspeaker is obstructed or malfunctioning. 8. If the loudspeaker is determined to be obstructed or malfunctioning, identifies if the alarm volume is insufficiently loud. 9. Upon confirmation, outputs an error indication that the loudspeaker is obstructed or malfunctioning.
The inventive features cover both an apparatus and a method for using microphone feedback to dynamically assess alarm loudspeaker performance in patient monitors, enabling detection of blockages or malfunctions and alerting users to compromised audible alarm delivery.
Stated Advantages
The invention enables patient monitors to detect when their alarm speakers are blocked, malfunctioning, or operating at insufficient volume, thus increasing alarm reliability.
By comparing recorded alarm audio to expected output, the system addresses muffled or inaudible alarms due to environmental noise, speaker obstruction, or device malfunction in clinical and transport settings.
When alarm output is compromised, the system can generate error indications locally or remotely, and utilize secondary alarm outputs, reducing the risk of unnoticed alarm failures.
Documented Applications
Use in hospital, nursing home, or other patient care environments to monitor physiological parameters and ensure that alarm signals are reliably audible to clinicians.
Deployment in portable or vehicle-based patient monitors, such as those used in ambulances or medical helicopters, where speakers may be blocked or overwhelmed by background noise.
Integration into wearable patient monitors, such as armband devices, where clothing, bedding, or patient movement may obstruct the speaker and compromise alarm audibility.
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