Method and apparatus for monitoring collection of physiological patient data
Inventors
Hu, Fu-Ming • Stansbury, Lynn G. • Mackenzie, Colin F. • Scalea, Thomas M. • Stein, Deborah M. • Yang, Shiming
Assignees
University of Maryland Baltimore
Publication Number
US-12343109-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
2038-05-10
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring collection of subject condition data is provided. The method includes receiving a value of a parameter of subject condition data and a value of a sample time, for each of a plurality of sample times. The method also includes storing the subject condition data in a data structure including a first field for holding data indicating a current sample time and a second field for holding data indicating the value of the parameter. The method also includes determining a time gap defined by a duration between the current sample time and a most recent sample time and determining whether the time gap exceeds a time gap threshold and causing an apparatus to perform remedial action. A method for presenting the subject condition data on a display is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the collection of subject condition data, particularly physiological patient data in medical facilities. The method involves receiving values of a parameter of subject condition data and corresponding sample times from multiple subject condition data monitors associated with different units. The data are stored in a structured format having fields for the current sample time and the parameter value. The system determines time gaps by calculating the duration between the current sample time and the most recent sample time, compares the time gaps to defined thresholds, and causes remedial actions to be taken to address any detected issues in data collection. Additionally, methods for displaying the collected data on a display in various views are provided.
The problem addressed by the invention arises from the deficiencies of conventional electronic patient monitoring and data collection systems, which only detect time gaps where no physiological data is recorded but do not take remedial actions to diagnose or resolve these gaps. This limitation results in low collection rates of physiological data, particularly when relying on a single server. Conventional systems achieve collection rates between 28% and 40% with a single server and about 79% with multiple redundant servers. The invention improves upon this by monitoring and diagnosing collection gaps and initiating remedial actions, resulting in substantially higher collection rates—up to 87-95% with a single server and 99.88% with multiple redundant servers in experimental embodiments.
Claims Coverage
The claims include one independent claim focusing on a method for displaying subject condition data from multiple monitored units and define inventive features relating to data reception, display arrangements, and user interactions.
Receiving physiological data and sample times from multiple monitors
For each of multiple sample times, values of at least one parameter of subject condition data and the corresponding sample time are received from multiple subject condition data monitors associated with multiple units, performed on a processor.
Presenting indicators in a thumbnail region for each unit
Displaying a first indicator in each of multiple active areas in a thumbnail region on a display, where each active area corresponds to a respective unit.
Displaying traces of parameter values over a time window
Presenting a trace of the parameter value over a defined time window encompassing multiple sample time increments in multiple active areas of a trace region, each representing a parameter.
Displaying bar plots indicating occurrences over time
Presenting a bar in multiple active areas of a bar region that indicates occurrences of the parameter values over the time window, each corresponding to a parameter.
Displaying index plots of physiological parameters
Presenting points representing combinations of two parameters in at least one active area in an index region, where points are based on values of a first and a second parameter of the subject condition data over the time window.
User interaction to adjust time windows and views
Enabling user selection of time interval indicators to adjust the time window for data visualization, selection of active areas to generate image snapshots or display data over a secondary time window, and navigation between group and unit views.
The claims define a method for comprehensively displaying subject condition data collected over time from multiple units with interactive visualizations, including thumbnails, trace and bar plots, index plots, and user controls for adjusting views and time windows.
Stated Advantages
Improved collection rate of physiological data compared to conventional systems, achieving collection rates between 87% and 95% with a single server and up to 99.88% with multiple redundant servers.
Facilitates the diagnosis and resolution of time gaps in physiological data collection by monitoring time gaps and initiating remedial actions, which conventional systems lack.
Visualization advances that enable monitoring large numbers of units efficiently, including color-coded indicators and interactive displays for prioritization of patient care.
Documented Applications
Use in medical facilities such as hospitals with multiple bed units and physiological data monitors.
Application in military medical transport vehicles (e.g., helicopters, planes, ambulances) for remote monitoring of multiple patients under austere conditions.
Monitoring of various physiological parameters including electrocardiographic (EKG), photoplethysmographic (PPG), blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, intracranial pressure, and others.
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