Patent US6524239B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6524239B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for non-instrusively measuring health parameters of a subject and method of use thereof
Assignee: BIP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 2000-11-03
•
Granted: 2003-02-25
•
Expires: 2020-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An integrated subject monitoring system facilitates measurement, collection and analysis of data pertaining to the health status of a subject. The system includes a network-coupled computer and subsystems monitoring subject location within a defined space and the curtilage thereof and obtaining measurements of a subject's physiological or behavioral/cognitive parameters within the defined space. Parameter data is obtained primarily passively, without the cooperation or active participation of the subject. A method of monitoring the physiological and behavioral/cognitive health status of an ambulatory subject involves monitoring in a primarily passive fashion, irrespective of the active collaboration of the subject. Subject health indicia parameters are continuously monitored, sampled and recorded. Captured values are compared to initial baseline values established for each of the measured parameters as well as to the trend for the parameter of that subject. Readings falling outside the boundaries trigger a signal to be sent to an appropriate party.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Reed
- 👤 Lydia Lundberg
- 👤 Frank M. Bouton
- 👤 William Pascoe
- 👤 Robert Ornstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1113; A61B5/0002; A61B5/16; A61B5/48; A61B5/4836; A61B5/4839; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/02; G01S5/0205; G01S5/021; G01S5/06; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/60; G06V20/66; G16; G16H; G16H10/00; G16H10/60; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0242; A61B5/01; A61B5/02; A61B5/0205; A61B5/02055; A61B5/021; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0537; A61B5/08; A61B5/0816; A61B5/145; A61B5/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for monitoring health parameters of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a network, comprising: a computer; a remote node accessing the computer; a data storage device receiving and storing data acquired by the system; and a data analysis means in the computer for analyzing acquired data; a physiological monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure physiological parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit parameter signals corresponding to measurements of the physiological parameters to the data storage device; a behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure behavioral and cognitive parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit behavioral and cognitive signals corresponding to measurements of the behavioral and cognitive parameters to the data storage device; and a passive personal tracking subsystem coupled to the network, operative to generate tracking signals from tracking transmitters associated with each subject, said tracking signals corresponding to the identities and locations of each of the plurality of ambulatory subjects; wherein the data analysis means is operative to associate the tracking signal of a first subject with a parameter signal of the first subject or a behavioral and cognitive signal of the first subject to form a data record.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for monitoring health parameters of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a network, comprising: a computer; a remote node accessing the computer; a data storage device receiving and storing data acquired by the system; and a data analysis means in the computer for analyzing acquired data; a physiological monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure physiological parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit parameter signals corresponding to measurements of the physiological parameters to the data storage device; a behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to measure behavioral and cognitive parameters of the plurality of subjects and transmit behavioral and cognitive signals corresponding to measurements of the behavioral and cognitive parameters to the data storage device; and a passive personal tracking subsystem coupled to the network, operative to generate tracking signals from tracking transmitters associated with each subject, said tracking signals corresponding to the identities and locations of each of the plurality of ambulatory subjects; wherein the data analysis means is operative to associate the tracking signal of a first subject with a parameter signal of the first subject or a behavioral and cognitive signal of the first subject to form a data record.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the physiological monitoring subsystem is operative to measure a physiological parameter of the subject irrespective of subject cooperation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem is operative to measure a behavioral and cognitive parameter of the subject irrespective of subject cooperation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , the personal tracking subsystem further comprising a plurality of tracking sensors distributed throughout a facility having a defined multi-room space about which each of a plurality of subjects can freely move.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 4 , in which the presence, identity and movement of the subject are sensed by a proximate one of a plurality of subject tracking sensors distributed throughout the defined space, the proximate tracking sensor generating a corresponding tracking signal via the computer to the data storage device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the personal tracking subsystem generates a tracking signal irrespective of contemporaneous subject cooperation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for monitoring a physiological parameter of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a plurality of personal tracking devices, each operative to produce a tracking signal corresponding to the identity and location of an ambulatory subject and transmit the tracking signal to a computer; a plurality of tracking signal receivers distributed throughout a defined space structured to be occupied by any one of said subjects; means for passively measuring a physiological parameter of any of the plurality of subjects, the means residing in an object or fixture in the defined area in which an ambulatory subject is present; means for generating parameter signals corresponding to physiological parameter measurements; means for transmitting parameter signals from the signal generating means to the computer; means for creating data records by associating parameter signal of a subject with the tracking signal corresponding to that subject.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for monitoring a physiological parameter of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a plurality of personal tracking devices, each operative to produce a tracking signal corresponding to the identity and location of an ambulatory subject and transmit the tracking signal to a computer; a plurality of tracking signal receivers distributed throughout a defined space structured to be occupied by any one of said subjects; means for passively measuring a physiological parameter of any of the plurality of subjects, the means residing in an object or fixture in the defined area in which an ambulatory subject is present; means for generating parameter signals corresponding to physiological parameter measurements; means for transmitting parameter signals from the signal generating means to the computer; means for creating data records by associating parameter signal of a subject with the tracking signal corresponding to that subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the parameter measuring means functions irrespective of subject cooperation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 , further comprising chronology identifying means for associating a chronological identifier with each parameter signal corresponding to a physiological parameter measurement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer method for monitoring a health parameter of an ambulatory subject of a plurality of ambulatory subjects within a defined space, the method comprising: measuring passively a health parameter of a subject by a first detector of a plurality of detectors positionable within the defined space, each detector of the plurality of detectors capable of detecting a health parameter of one subject of a plurality of subjects and generating a parameter signal corresponding to the measured parameter value; transmitting the parameter signal to a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; associating the parameter signal with an identity by correlating a location of the first detector with subject identity and location, said subject identity and location determined by a spatial monitoring device producing subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject; creating a data record of the associated parameter signal with a subject identity determined by a spatial monitoring device producing signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject; and storing the data record in a record uniquely associated with the subject.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer method for monitoring a health parameter of an ambulatory subject of a plurality of ambulatory subjects within a defined space, the method comprising: measuring passively a health parameter of a subject by a first detector of a plurality of detectors positionable within the defined space, each detector of the plurality of detectors capable of detecting a health parameter of one subject of a plurality of subjects and generating a parameter signal corresponding to the measured parameter value; transmitting the parameter signal to a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; associating the parameter signal with an identity by correlating a location of the first detector with subject identity and location, said subject identity and location determined by a spatial monitoring device producing subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject; creating a data record of the associated parameter signal with a subject identity determined by a spatial monitoring device producing signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject; and storing the data record in a record uniquely associated with the subject.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer readable medium containing instructions adapted to cause a computer to perform the method of claim 10 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein storing the signal further comprises storing a chronological identifier in the record.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising analyzing a plurality of stored signals in the record temporally to provide a trend for the monitored health parameter of the associated subject.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein analyzing a plurality of stored signals temporally further includes producing a histogram for each health parameter, using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers, to indicate a trend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising: providing a predetermined value range for a signal corresponding to the health parameter of the subject; comparing the parameter signal of the data record to the predetermined value range; and generating an alert when the parameter signal corresponding to the measured health parameter is outside the predetermined value range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising: providing a predetermined value range for signals corresponding to multiple health parameters of the subject; comparing parameter signals of multiple data records to the respective predetermined value ranges; and generating an alert when each of the parameter signals corresponding to the measured health parameters are outside the predetermined value ranges.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for passively monitoring behavioral and cognitive health status of each of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; a spatial monitoring device, operative to produce subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the subject signals to the computer; a passive medication compliance device, operative to produce a medication compliance signal corresponding to accessing a medication by each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the medication compliance signals to the computer; a first interactive physiological parameter measurement device, operative to produce parameter signals corresponding to measurements of physiological parameters of the subjects and transmit the parameter signals to the computer; a sensor embedded in an article of regular and ordinary use by the subjects, operative to produce use signals corresponding to use of the article by subjects and transmit the use signals to the computer; a nocturnal activity monitoring system, operative to produce nocturnal activity signals corresponding to restlessness of subjects and transmit the nocturnal activity signals to the computer; and data analysis means for analyzing signals produced by the above system components; wherein the computer is operative to correlate a medication compliance signal, a parameter signal, a use signal, or a nocturnal activity signal with a specific subject based on the location of the device and the location of the subject derived from the subject signal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
239 words
A system for passively monitoring behavioral and cognitive health status of each of a plurality of ambulatory subjects, comprising: a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; a spatial monitoring device, operative to produce subject signals corresponding to the identity and location of each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the subject signals to the computer; a passive medication compliance device, operative to produce a medication compliance signal corresponding to accessing a medication by each of the ambulatory subjects and transmit the medication compliance signals to the computer; a first interactive physiological parameter measurement device, operative to produce parameter signals corresponding to measurements of physiological parameters of the subjects and transmit the parameter signals to the computer; a sensor embedded in an article of regular and ordinary use by the subjects, operative to produce use signals corresponding to use of the article by subjects and transmit the use signals to the computer; a nocturnal activity monitoring system, operative to produce nocturnal activity signals corresponding to restlessness of subjects and transmit the nocturnal activity signals to the computer; and data analysis means for analyzing signals produced by the above system components; wherein the computer is operative to correlate a medication compliance signal, a parameter signal, a use signal, or a nocturnal activity signal with a specific subject based on the location of the device and the location of the subject derived from the subject signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 17 , the spatial monitoring device comprising: a transmitter worn by the subject; a plurality of receivers spatially distributed throughout the defined monitoring area; and signal generating means for generating a signal corresponding to a transmission received by a member of the plurality of spatially distributed receivers from the transmitter, the signal identifying and locating the subject.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of receivers is uniquely identifiable by the data storage means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein a plurality of said transmitters are worn by a plurality of said subjects, each transmitter transmits a subject identification code unique said subjects, so that each subject can be located by proximity to one of said receivers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 , further comprising a chronological tagging means for tagging each signal with a chronological identifier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 17 , further comprising environmental input logging means for logging changes input by the subject to a heating, ventilation and cooling system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the system monitors a plurality of subjects.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5343869A
Cited
US5410471A
Cited
US5780798A
Cited
US6050940A
Cited
US5950632A
Cited
US6073046A
Cited
US6113539A
Cited
US6302844B1
Cited
US6290646B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |