Apparatus and method for monitoring and communicating wellness parameters of ambulatory patients

Abstract

The monitoring device incorporates transducing devices for converting the desired measured parameters into electrical signals capable of being processed by a local computer or microprocessor system. The device interacts with the ambulatory patient and then, via a modem or other electronic communication device, transmits the measured parameters to a computer located at a remote site. At the remote location. the various indicia of the ambulatory patient's condition are monitored and analyzed by the medical professional caregiver. To provide the ambulatory patient with an added level of convenience and ease of use, such monitoring device is contained in a single integrated package.

1 . An apparatus for monitoring an ambulatory patient and establishing communication to a caregiver regarding the wellness parameters of such an ambulatory patient, said apparatus comprising:
 a physiological parameter transducing device, said device generating an electronic signal representative of the value of the physiological parameter being monitored;   a central processor device, said central processor operatively coupled to said parameter transducing device and processing said physiological parameter electronic signals;   an electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said communication device having one end operatively coupled to said processor and another end operatively coupled to a communication network, said communication device being activated whenever the central processor recognizes a physiological parameter within a predetermined range;   an input device, said input device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to receive external commands;   an output device, said output device coupled to said processor and providing information comprising external commands, physiological symptoms, wellness parameters, and queries from said communication device;   wherein said devices are integrated into a single unit.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said integrated unit comprises:
 a base, said base including said physiological parameter transducing device;   a housing, said housing including said central processor device, said electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said input device and said output device; and   a support member, said support member having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said housing.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said support member is rigid. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said support member is adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said support member is flexible. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the physiological parameter transducing device is a scale for monitoring the body weight of a chronic heart failure patient. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said scale comprises:
 a top plate defining an interior and exterior surface;   a base plate defining an interior and exterior surface;   a load cell having a top and bottom side and a first and second end disposed between said top plate and said base plate, wherein the top side of the first end of said load cell is in contact with a first support surface within the interior surface of said top plate, and the bottom side of the second end of said load cell is in contact with a second support surface within the interior surface of said base plate.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said load cell further comprises a strain gage disposed on said load cell. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising means for determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said body weight. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the scale is accurately operable on a hard floor as well as a carpeted floor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the physiological parameter transducing device is a scale for monitoring the body weight of an overweight or obese individual. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising means for determining whether said individual requires diet modification, or additional nutritional consultation. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means for determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said wellness parameters. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a modem. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is an RS-232 device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is an Internet communication device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a satellite communication device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is an infra-red communication device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a power line carrier communication device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said RF transceiver has first and second portions, said first portion being operatively coupled to said processor and in radio communication with said second portion, said second portion being located remotely from said first portion and operatively coupled to said communication network. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said second portion includes means for wall mounting said second portion. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a nurse is in communication with said patient through said communication network. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said output device is a synthetic speech communication device, said speech communication device operatively coupled to said processor and audibly communicating information to said patient. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said output device is a visual display device. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said output device is a pacemaker coupled to said data input device. 
     
     
         27 . A system for monitoring an ambulatory patient and establishing communication to a caregiver regarding the wellness parameters of such an ambulatory patient between a first location and a remote central office location, said system comprising:
 a monitoring apparatus at said first location comprising:
 (a) a physiological parameter transducing device, said device generating an electronic signal representative of the value of the physiological parameter being monitored; 
 (b) a central processor device, said central processor operatively coupled to said parameter transducing device and processing said physiological parameter electronic signals; 
 (c) an electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said communication device having one end operatively coupled to said processor and another end operatively coupled to a communication network, said communication device being activated whenever the central processor recognizes a physiological parameter within a predetermined range; 
 (d) an input device, said input device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to receive external commands; 
 (e) an output device, said output device coupled to said processor and providing information comprising external commands, physiological symptoms, wellness parameters, and queries from said communication device, wherein said devices are integrated into a single unit; and 
   a processing computer at a remote central office location in communication with said remote monitoring apparatus for exchanging information with said monitoring apparatus.   
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein said integrated unit comprises:
 a base, said base including said physiological parameter transducing device;   a housing, said housing including said central processor device, said electronic receiver/transmitter communication device, said input device and said output device; and   a support member, said support member having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said housing.   
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein said support member is rigid. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein said support member is adjustable. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein said support member is flexible. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein the physiological parameter transducing device is a scale for monitoring the body weight of a chronic heart failure patient. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32  wherein said scale comprises:
 a top plate defining an interior and exterior surface;   a base plate defining an interior and exterior surface;   a load cell having a top and bottom side and a first and second end disposed between said top plate and said base plate, wherein the top side of the first end of said load cell is in contact with a first support surface within the interior surface of said top plate, and the bottom side of the second end of said load cell is in contact with a second support surface within the interior surface of said base plate.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein said load cell further comprises a strain gage disposed on said load cell. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 32  further comprising means for determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said body weight. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 32  wherein the scale is accurately operable on a hard floor as well as a carpeted floor. 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein the physiological parameter transducing device is a scale for monitoring the body weight of an overweight or obese individual. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 37  further comprising means for determining whether said individual requires diet modification, or additional nutritional consultation. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 27  further comprising means for determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said wellness parameters. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is a modem. 
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication is over an RS-232 connection. 
     
     
         42 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is over an Internet communication device. 
     
     
         43 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is an infra-red communication device. 
     
     
         44 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is a power-line carrier communication device. 
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is a satellite communication device. 
     
     
         46 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said communication device is a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver. 
     
     
         47 . The system according to  claim 46 , wherein said RF transceiver has first and second portions, said first portion being operatively coupled to said processor and in radio communication with said second portion, said second portion being located remotely from said first portion and is operatively coupled to said communication network. 
     
     
         48 . The system according to  claim 47 , wherein said second portion includes means for wall mounting said second portion. 
     
     
         49 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein a nurse is in communication with said patient through said communication network. 
     
     
         50 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein said output device is a synthetic speech communication device, said speech communication device operatively coupled to said processor and audibly communicating information to said patient. 
     
     
         51 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein said output device is a visual display device. 
     
     
         52 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein said output is a pacemaker coupled to said data input device. 
     
     
         53 . A method for monitoring an ambulatory patient and establishing communication to a caregiver regarding the wellness parameters of such an ambulatory patient, said method comprising:
 monitoring a physiological parameters;   generating an electronic signal representative of the value of said physiological parameter;   in a central processor device, processing said physiological parameter electronic signals;   communicating said processed electronic signals between a first location and a remote central location;   inputting external commands into said processor; and   outputting said information.   
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein the monitoring step includes monitoring the body weight of a chronic heart failure patient. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54  further comprising determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said body weight. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 53  further comprising determining whether said patient requires hospitalization or medication adjustments based on said wellness parameters. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein the communicating step includes communicating to a nurse. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein said outputting step includes audibly communicating information to said patient through a synthetic speech communication device. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein said outputting step includes visually displaying information. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 49  wherein said outputting step includes inputting data into a pacemaker device.