Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8248231-B2
Publication Date
2012-08-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A monitoring system having a device on a person which can process and transmit signals from at least one biosensor and a receiver located close to the patient, which can receive these signals. The receiver, which may be a portable telephone, can process the signals and provide an indication of the parameter(s) being monitored and may also, or as an alternative, forward the received signals to a remote monitor. The monitoring system may further include a device for indicating when the transmitter is not receiving a signal from the transmitter and can also include a device so that when a parameter reaches a critical care level, a warning signal is given. The monitoring system is such that the person being monitored is effectively not limited to remaining within a required distance of a fixed part of the system.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a medical monitoring system for ambulatory patients in which at least one biosensor generates a biometric signal from a measured parameter of a person. The biosensor is connected to a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the biometric signal over Bluetooth technology, allowing biometric signals to be generated and transmitted while the person is being monitored.
The system includes a receiver that is not disposed in or coupled to a mobile telephone and is located close to the person or receiving the transmitted biometric signal. The receiver receives the transmitted signal and displays the biometric signal on a display device, and wirelessly forwards the signal to a remote monitor using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), so parameter readings are supplied to remote monitoring while the person remains mobile.
The system supports mobility by using cellular/mobile communication for forwarding to the remote monitor, with limitations mainly relating to cellular coverage rather than proximity to a base station. The receiver provides displayed biometric parameter readings, including instantaneous figures and time-based plots/series of figures, and warning conditions are handled by warnings for critical care levels, loss of transmitter signal, and separation between the transducer and receiver exceeding transmitter range.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present. The claim set specifies at least one biosensor generating a biometric signal, a Bluetooth short-range transmitter, a receiver not in or coupled to a mobile telephone that displays the biometric signal, and GPRS forwarding to a remote monitor, with conditional forwarding and alarm triggering also recited in the claim set.
Bluetooth-based transmission from biosensor to receiver
A transmitter connected to the biosensor transmits the biometric signal using Bluetooth technology.
Receiver display of biometric signal not in or coupled to mobile telephone
A receiver not disposed in or coupled to a mobile telephone receives the transmitted signal and displays the biometric signal on a display device.
GPRS forwarding to a remote monitor
The receiver wirelessly forwards the signal to a remote monitor using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and a monitor receives the biometric signal or a signal based on the biometric signal transmitted using GPRS from the receiver.
Conditional forwarding based on predetermined property/threshold
The received signal is automatically forwarded to the remote monitor when the measured parameter exhibits a predetermined property, including when it crosses a predetermined threshold.
Audio or visual alarm at remote monitor on warning condition
When a warning condition occurs, an audio or visual alarm is automatically triggered at the remote monitor.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a biosensor-to-transmitter Bluetooth link to a nearby receiver that displays biometric signals and forwards them via GPRS to a remote monitor, with conditional forwarding and automated audio/visual alarm triggering also recited.
Stated Advantages
Supports ambulatory monitoring by forwarding biometric signals to a remote monitor using cellular/mobile communication.
Warnings are issued for loss of transmitter signal and for excessive separation beyond transmitter range.
Displayed biometric readings include instantaneous values and time-based plots/series of figures.
Documented Applications
Monitoring ambulatory patients using biosensors that generate biometric signals for medical monitoring and remote monitoring via GPRS.
Providing warnings and alarms for critical care level conditions, including warning when transmitter signal is lost or separation exceeds transmitter range.
Interested in licensing this patent?