Contactless Patient Monitoring System

A contactless patient monitoring system is provided and includes a central processing unit, a sensor array, and a web-based central interface. The sensor array is positioned on a ceiling of a room and establishes a link with the central processing unit. The sensor array includes a plurality of sensors, which when triggered, sends data to the central processing unit for analyzing the data. The central processing unit issues an actionable event depending on which sensor of the plurality of sensors in triggered. The web-based central interface receives the actionable event and displays a report on a user dashboard.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a patient monitoring system and, more particularly, to a fully integrated contactless patient monitoring system.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, the monitoring technology has evolved and developed with aiding and assisting caregivers in protecting and serving a patient while for example, in an assisted living, hospital, or during home care. However, these systems have had their individual drawbacks and a system that could provide increased aid in situational awareness for a caregiver, as well as improved responsiveness and coverage of monitoring would be beneficial. A system that provides these benefits would give a caregiver the tools he or she needs to increase their efficiency and overall care of the patient. Further, the system would provide the patient and the patient's family better peace of mind knowing that if there is an emergency or a patient needs something, the caregiver will be alerted right away.

Therefore, there is currently a need for a system to provide better support for a patient and provide more assistance to a caregiver.

SUMMARY

A contactless patient monitoring system is provided and includes a central processing unit, a sensor array, and a web-based central interface. The sensor array is positioned on a ceiling of a room and establishes a link with the central processing unit.

The sensor array includes a plurality of sensors, which when triggered, sends data to the central processing unit for analyzing the data. The central processing unit issues an actionable event depending on which sensor of the plurality of sensors in triggered. The web-based central interface receives the actionable event and displays a report on a user dashboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In an embodiment, the teachings herein describe a system that allows for the creation of a contactless patient monitoring system1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the contactless patient monitoring system1is shown inFIGS.1-9. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactless patient monitoring system1generally includes a central processing unit2, a communication(s) gateway4and a sensor array6.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central processing unit2generally includes the following major components: a plurality of service nodes. The service node is a standard service node. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of the service node and applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

The service node of the central processing unit2is able to both communicate with other service nodes or function in isolation with only the central processing unit2.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central processing unit2further operates on an operating system, for example, Linux, Windows or other OSes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central processing unit2further includes a plurality of graphics processing unit cards which are utilized by the central processing unit2to analyze the incoming data and generate detections from a stream. The graphics processing unit cards are standard graphic processing unit cards. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of the graphic processing unit card and understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In one embodiment, the communication(s) gateway4provides for a human interaction element between a patient and a caregiver. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The communication(s) gateway4has the ability to form a network link between a sensor array6and the central processing unit2. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In one embodiment, an example of the communication(s) gateway4is a smart mirror10as shown inFIG.5. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the smart mirror10generally includes a mirror lens12, a frame housing14, a plurality of through-holes20and an in-room processing unit22.

As illustrated, the mirror lens12is a standard mirror lens with a semi-transparent surface. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design of the mirror lens12is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the frame housing14generally includes a mirror edging16, and an elongated rear cover18. In the exemplary embodiment, the mirror edging16is a standard mirror edging. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design of the mirror edging is not the exclusive embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the elongated rear cover18is a rectangular shell-like member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the in-room processing unit22is a standard processing unit. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of the in-room processing unit and the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

The smart mirror10is optional. The communication(s) gateway4can be utilized in different design formats as a communication platform. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor array6generally includes a bottom cover30, a lower level40, an upper level60, and a top cover80as shown inFIGS.6-9.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom cover30generally includes a plurality of ceiling mount holes32as shown inFIG.6. Each ceiling mount hole32is an elongated cylindrical member and bulbous at one end. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom cover30further includes a plurality of wiring harness spaces34. The wiring harness spaces34are circular and located in the central region of the bottom cover30. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the lower level40generally includes a mount42as shown inFIG.7. In the exemplary embodiment, the mount42is a standard mount for securing electronic components. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated, the mount42further includes a plurality of connectors44. The plurality of connectors44are protruding cylindrical members located around the perimeter of the mount42. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated, the mount42further includes a divider46. The divider46is a plate like member forming an angle and extending to the perimeter of the mount42.

As shown, the lower level40further includes a power supply unit48. The power supply unit48is a standard power supply. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of a power supply unit48.

As illustrated, the lower level40further includes a power delivery circuit board50. The power delivery circuit board50is a standard power delivery circuit board. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of a power delivery circuit board50.

As illustrated, the lower level40further includes a network enabled microprocessor unit52. The microprocessor unit52is a standard microprocessor unit. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of the microprocessor unit52.

As shown, the lower level40further includes a sound amplifier circuit54. The sound amplifier circuit54is a standard sound amplifier circuit.

In the exemplary embodiment, the lower level40further includes a sensor distribution board56. The sensor distribution board56is a standard distribution board. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of the sensor distribution board and the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the upper level60generally includes a mount62as shown inFIG.8.

The mount62is a circular member for securing electronic components. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As shown, the upper level60further includes a plurality of thermal measurement units64. The thermal measurement unit64is a standard thermal measurement unit.

As illustrated, the upper level60further includes an environment multi-sensor66. The environment multi-sensor66is a standard environment multi sensor. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the inner workings of an environment multi-sensor66and the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated, the upper level60further includes a sensor distribution circuit68. The sensor distribution circuit68is a standard distribution circuit.

As shown, the upper level60further includes a sound level measurement device70. The sound level measurement device70is a standard sound level measurement device

As illustrated, the upper level60further includes a radio frequency device72. The radio frequency device72is a standard radio frequency device.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top cover80generally includes an outer layer82as shown inFIG.9.

As shown, the outer layer82is a shell-like member. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As illustrated, the outer layer82further includes a light sensor lens84positioned at a top of the outer layer82. The light sensor lens84is a standard light sensor lens.

In the exemplary embodiment, the outer layer82further includes a plurality of cooling vents86. The cooling vent86is circular shaped with a cross thread design. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

As shown, the outer layer82further includes a plurality of sound and sensor vents88. The sound and sensor vent88is rectangular shaped with a vertical thread design. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the contactless patient monitoring system1generally includes the following major components: a central processing unit2, a communication(s) gateway4and a sensor array6.

The central processing unit2is either cloud-based or hosted on a facility network within range of the plurality of in-room processing units22and the sensor arrays6. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In one embodiment, when the central processing unit is cloud-based, the central processing unit2sends data to a cloud which is segmented into different facility stations in order to not mix customer data across different facilities.

In another embodiment, when the central processing unit is hosted on a facility network the central processing unit2become the receiver and the data from either the in-room processing unit22and the sensor array6is transfer to the central processing unit2.

In one embodiment of the communication(s) gateway4and the smart mirror10is utilized.

As shown, the smart mirror's10mirror lens12is inserted into the mirror edging16. The in-room processing unit22is inserted inside the elongated rear cover18of the smart mirror10. The mirror edging16of the smart mirror10is fastened to the elongated rear cover18. The elongated rear cover18is further mounted to a wall or propped on a stand.

The sensor array6is positioned on the ceiling of a room and establishes a link with the in-room processing unit. In this embodiment, the sensor array6sends all collected data to the in-room processing unit22which sends the data to the central processing unit2for analyzing.

In the exemplary embodiment, the communication gate way4is not utilized. The sensor array6is positioned on the ceiling of a room and establishes a link directly with the central processing unit which sends data to the central processing unit2for analyzing.

In either embodiment, the sensor array6is associated with a specific room so the central processing unit2communicates and is able to determine which room the detection was made.

In the exemplary embodiment, the power supply unit48, the power delivery circuit board50, the microprocessor unit52, the sounds amplifier circuit54and the sensor distribution board56are fastened to the mount42of the lower level40of the sensor array6.

The mount62of upper level60of the sensor array6is fastened to the plurality of connectors44of the lower level40of the sensor array6.

The plurality of thermal measurement units64, the environment multi-sensor66, the sensor distribution circuit68, the sound level measurement device70and the radio frequency device72are fastened to the mount62of the upper level60of the sensor array6.

The top cover80of the sensor array6encloses the upper level60and the lower level40of the sensor array6and is fastened to the bottom cover30of the sensor array6.

In one embodiment, a network connection is made between the central processing unit2and the in-room processing unit22(which is housed inside the communication(s) gateway4.

In another embodiment, a network connection is made between the central processing unit2and the sensor array6. The sensor array may directly link with the central processing unit2through conventional networking such as Wifi or an ethernet cord. Whether the communication(s) gateway4would be utilized in establishing a connection between the central processing unit2and the sensor array6would depend on the user's installation configuration.

In either embodiment, the network link is established between the sensor array6/in-room processing unit22and the central processing unit2by a transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Each sensor array6/in-room processing unit22is configured with an address of the central processing unit2in order to form the connection. During start up, the sensor array6/in-room processing unit22will reach out to a preconfigured central processing unit2internet protocol (IP) address. In case the central processing unit2is down or not reachable, the sensor array6/in-room processing unit22will periodically retry to establish the connection.

In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor array6is positioned within a patient's room. The sensor array6includes a plurality of sensors which are active and can be triggered depending on which situation arises. The thermal measurement unit64of the sensor array6tracks the presence of at least one person and can measure a person's body temperature. The environmental multi sensor66of the sensor array6takes measurements such as air pressure, humidity, temperature, volatile organic compound (VOC) level, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) level, dew point, etc. The light sensor lens84of the sensor array6measures the brightness of a room in lux. The sound level measurement device70of the sensor array6measures audio frequencies and analyzes the frequencies for known audio identifiers such as screams, gunshots, glass shattering, falls, etc. The radio frequency device72of the sensor array6measures and quantifies the spatial data in the RF spectrum by tracking reflected energy of an object or living being. The radio frequency device72further includes the ability to monitor the respirations of a patient during sleep if there are no other outside movements taking place.

When a sensor is triggered, the sensor array6relays the signal to either to the in-room processing unit22, which the in-room processing unit22then again relays the signal to the central processing unit2or sensor array will send the signal directly to the central processing unit2. In either scenario, the sensor array6or the in-room processing unit utilize a representational state transfer (REST)-based application programming interface (API) to communicate with the central processing unit2in a predefined intervals.

The communication(s) gateway4is an optional feature which can further allow an immediate interaction between the caregiver and patient. The communication(s) gateway4is not needed as stated and the sensor array6is able to directly send an alert to the central processing unit2and bypass the communication(s) gateway4.

The central processing unit2receives the signal from the sensor array6or the in-room processing unit22and triggers an actionable event100depending on what is triggered in the sensor array6.

The central processing unit2analyzes the incoming data and triggers the proper detection response. Upon receipt of the raw and preprocessed sensor data from sensor arrays6, the central processing unit2first stores the sensor data in a database. Then a series of background processes take the unprocessed data one by one and put it through a series of algorithms. The analysis of the central processing unit2provides a series of steps through which the data flows and during each step a series of questions is asked by the central processing unit2which determines a confidence score. Essentially, data is compared, analyzed, matched, and filtered into different forms until a conclusion is reached.

For each of the algorithms utilized, the central processing unit2generates a probability score of how likely it is that a certain alarm condition has been met. A load balancing scheme is employed to efficiently distribute the data across multiple graphic processing unit cards in order to speed up the detection process. An output of these algorithms leads to alarms.

For example, a stream of CO readings flow from the sensor array6to the central processing unit2. There the data is cleaned to eliminate spurious readings and if a safe threshold of parts per million of CO gas is exceeded, an alarm102is sent. The central processing unit2examines sensory data and generate a response based on for example: the patient, the caregiver, the patient's residence or the facility. The data is accessible using a web-based central interface104. When an alarm is sent, it is directed to a web-based central interface104and displayed on a dashboard106which includes a plurality of user-configurable layouts. Moreover, the data can be accessible through mobile application as well as other embedded platforms depending on the user's preference.

The dashboard106offers the user the ability to take a quick glimpse of what is happening within their facility or in a particular patient's room, in real time. Further, the user can access general trends depending on the user's preferred time frame. Moreover, the dashboard106can show general trends such as any pending alarms, displaying relevant statistics, etc.

The dashboard106further includes an alarm manager108which is a central message que of all events that need caregiver attention. Determining which events require human attention would be based on the caregiver or the company.

Once an alarm102is triggered, a indicator is displayed on a queue-like user interface on the alarm manager108where it must be processed by a person and acknowledged.

The life span of the alarm102goes through several states—from new, to active, to overdue, to closed, and to archived. The alarm102is considered new when the sensor array6triggers the signal. The alarm102is considered active when the alarm102has been acknowledged. The alarm102will stay active until the situation is handled and then the indicator is cleared off the screen. The alarm102is considered overdue when the alarm102has not been acknowledged. The alarm102is considered closed when the alarm102has been acknowledged and resolved which then moves the alarm102to a storable table prior to being archived. The alarm102is considered archived when the alarm102is moved into archive for audit trail purposes. Additionally, the central processing unit2learns from the different alarm102conditions by an algorithm which reduces the false positive rate and increases overall performance.

The alarm manager108provides both historical archive of all processed events as well as an audit trail of which events occurred, how fast the alert was handled and who handled the alert. The alarm manager108displays at least the following information: the date and time of the event, the name of the patient, the location of the patient, the description of the event, the criticality of the event, the elapsed time of the event (from the moment the alarm was activated to when the alarm was terminated), etc. Further, the caregiver can interact with the alarm manager108such as suspend the alarm, close the alarm, or add additional information or notes.

Once the data is processed, the alarm manager108data is sent to a reporting manager110. The reporting manager110permits the caregiver or company to create a variety of reports such as the alarm type, the frequency of the alarm, the frequency of the event, etc. Further, the report can be created in the time frame needed by the user. Reports are generated from the data available in the alarm queue paired together with all the other relevant metadata tied to that alarm (raw data, graphs, images, staff notes, etc.). When the report or series of reports is requested, the report managers pool all the data together from several different tables and generates one cohesive report where all of the data is viewable in an easy to understand format. Back-end of the reporting manager is done by structured query language (SQL) at the database level and then the reports manager formats it into a PDF file.

The central processing unit2further includes a large library of music112which can be associated with each individual patient or triggered by a specific actionable event set by the caregiver. This could be used as a calming method for the patient to reduce stress levels from a high stress situation and/or to let the patient know the caregiver is on the way. When the caregiver determines the proper protocol for handling a certain situation, the central processing unit2relays the signal back to either the in-room processing22or directly to the sensor array6which interprets the signal.