Patent ID: 8475370
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting a first time-dependent physiological waveform indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart with a first sensor comprising a first detector configured to be worn on the patient's body; (b) detecting a second time-dependent physiological waveform indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart with a second sensor comprising a second detector configured to be worn on the patient's body; (c) detecting sets of time-dependent motion waveforms with at least two motion-detecting sensors positioned on different locations on the patient's body, wherein each motion-detecting sensor detects a set of motion waveforms indicative of motion of the location on the patient's body to which the motion-detecting sensor is affixed; (d) processing the first and second time-dependent physiological waveforms to determine at least one vital sign from the patient; (e) analyzing at least a portion of each set of time-dependent motion waveforms, or a mathematical derivative thereof, to determine a motion parameter; (f) processing the motion parameter to determine a probability that the patient is undergoing a specific activity state; and (g) estimating the patient's activity state based on the probability, wherein step (e) further comprises analyzing a time-dependent variation of least one motion waveform, and calculating a mathematical derivative of at least one motion waveform to determine the motion parameter.