Patent ID: 8180440
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61B,G08B,G16H

Abstract:
1. A system for processing at least one vital sign from a patient and generating an alarm, the system comprising: a first sensor comprising a first detector configured to detect a first time-dependent physiological waveform indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; a second sensor comprising a second detector configured to detect a second time-dependent physiological waveform indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; at least two motion-detecting sensors configured to be positioned on locations selected from a forearm, upper arm, and a body location other than the forearm or upper arm of the patient, each of the motion-detecting sensors generating at least one motion waveform indicative of motion of the location on the patient's body to which the motion-detecting sensor is affixed; a first processing component configured to receive the time-dependent physiological and motion waveforms and determine therefrom: (i) at least one vital sign calculated using at least one of the first and second time-dependent physiological waveforms; and (ii) at least one motion parameter selected from the patient's posture, activity state, and degree of motion calculated using at least one motion waveform generated by each of the motion-detecting sensors, wherein the motion parameter is calculated by processing a time-dependent component from at least one motion waveform, and a frequency-dependent component from at least one motion waveform; and a second processing component configured to receive the at least one vital sign and motion parameter and determine therefrom: (i) a first alarm condition, calculated by comparing the at least one vital sign to an alarm threshold; (ii) a second alarm condition, calculated from the at least one motion parameter; and (iii) an alarm rule, determined by collectively processing the first and second alarm conditions with an alarm algorithm, the alarm rule indicating whether or not the system generates an alarm.