Abstract:
A physiological condition monitor can provide substantially real-time feedback to an individual being monitored. The feedback can be in the form of graphical displays of real-time trends. Both audible and visual warnings can be provided to the individual in response to results of trend analysis.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to systems that monitor one or more physiological characteristics of an individual. More particularly, the invention pertains to such systems which incorporate trend analysis.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Known in-home monitoring systems monitor certain vital signs of residents or patients and transmit that information to a central computer at a remote location that can then be accessed by medical personnel and caregivers. At that site, trend information can be obtained and evaluated.  
         [0003]     If a parameter is out of a normal range, then a medical monitor or caregiver can communicate that to the resident by electronic means, a virtual visit or an actual visit to the home. In order to keep costs low, it is advantageous to not have to make actual home visits unless necessary to correct the situation or provide medical attention.  
         [0004]     In view of an aging populating there is a continuing need to support those residents who are able to and want to continue to live in their present residences. It would thus be desirable and useful to make available to such residents health related trend information. Probably such trend information could be developed locally, at the residence, and presented to the resident with relatively short turnaround times.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is block diagram of a system in accordance with the invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a graph illustrating blood pressure trend information; and  
         [0007]      FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C illustrate heart rate trend information under various conditions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0008]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.  
         [0009]     Disclosed embodiments of the invention provide data and trend analysis in a home or residence for the resident to view and use to adjust behavior accordingly. This provides a feeling of self-reliance and respect in being able to control their behavior without outside influence.  
         [0010]     In one aspect of the invention normal physiological limits can be presented in a trend analysis. However, residents can observe where they are relative to the normal range. The normal limits for a given resident may be unique to that person and pre-established based upon historical data collected for that resident.  
         [0011]     The advantage of having the plot and trend analysis of data representing an individual&#39;s physiological measurements presented with at least one limit is that person then can themselves recognize any trend that is starting to deviate from normal before it passes into an abnormal range for that person. This provides immediate feedback to the person to continue with their present behaviors or to adjust their behaviors. For example, a resident starting to see his/her glucose levels deviating from normal could relate it back to the their diet. They could realize they should alter their diet or recognize deviations from their diet that affect glucose.  
         [0012]     In accordance with this invention, the resident can perform a physiological measurement at any time he/she wishes. That data can then be incorporated into the trend analysis. The trend analysis can also include provisions for resident inputs that may be of value in interpreting the physiological sensor readings. For example, taking a glucose reading before eating and after eating may produce different results. Such results can then be charted differently for the resident to observe the results of their behavior.  
         [0013]     Taking a physiological reading before and after exercise can also produce different results. The resident can enter critical input information that is used in the trend analysis.  
         [0014]     Further in accordance with this invention, the processing of sensor data can be adjusted for the conditions prior to or at the time of obtaining that data. These adjustments can be presented in the trends.  
         [0015]     In one aspect of the invention, the sensor data can be input into the system. If any abnormalities are detected, the resident can be asked to report the conditions prior to the physiological reading to determine an acceptable reason for the abnormality, such that it may actually be normal for that measurement. For example, to simply take the blood pressure and enter it into the system is not adequate to determine the health status of the resident.  
         [0016]     If the blood pressure is high, then it is important to know if some behavior contributed to that such as exercising in some form immediately before taking the sensor readings. Exercise and food/water consumption may alter some of the physiological measurements. The system can ask questions that may relate to when food and water were consumed or when and how much exercise was performed or the activity of the patient.  
         [0017]     The taking of medications may alter the physiological measurements. Medications can be entered by the resident, possibly answering questions from the system.  
         [0018]     A primary advantage of embodiments of this invention is that residents themselves can effectively determine what charts are presented by the inputs they enter into the system. If they input information that relates to their heart rate recovery after exercising, the sysems can automatically generate a graph or a chart for them with that information.  
         [0019]     The resident can enter information into the system for processing to determine the health status of the person. The system may instruct the resident to take some specific action such as resting or taking medications and then to schedule their physiological measurements again at a later time. The system may also reschedule the next time when the resident will measure his/her physiological data based upon the response of the resident in following a specific action. All data entered may still be used to evaluate the resident&#39;s health.  
         [0020]     The trend information in the display can also involve multiple levels of concern. One level could be related to the resident evaluating their behaviors. A second level could relate to a pending critical condition that needs emergency response.  
         [0021]     The system can send information to a remote location at different priorities based upon the trend information developed on-site. This is a more interactive exchange of information between the system and the resident to provide a more accurate assessment of the health and wellbeing of the resident.  
         [0022]     An important aspect for any display of information relative to a resident is privacy and the access to that information by others. The resident may have certain access needs that are not appropriate for a visitor or neighbor or caregiver. A doctor may have more extensive needs for information concerning a resident in certain areas but not in others.  
         [0023]     Embodiments of the invention can further provide multi-level access to medical information of a resident by use of different passwords.  
         [0024]     An emergency responder could be unknown at the time passwords are predetermined and there should be no passwords related to sustaining the life of the resident. An emergency responder in a medical emergency may be presented with medications being taken, allergies, medications that are adverse to the patient (especially in connection with the medications being taken). The emergency responder may also be presented with graphical information related to trends of physiological measurements that may e relevant to the emergency situation. Seeing the trend information can be of critical value in determining temporary treatment and sustaining of life until arriving at the hospital.  
         [0025]     In another embodiment, the system could automatically print a copy of information that would then be immediately available to the emergency responder. These printed copies may exclude resident name or identification information in case they get misplaced or lost. The resident could pre-approve what information can be released to the emergency responders so as to not violate his/her privacy.  
         [0026]     In one aspect of the invention the information for emergency responders is only available without passwords in the presence of the resident. If a caregiver uses a remote access to the system during a medical emergency, then the caregiver would need to use a password which would then give him/her access to their normal information level plus the emergency response information level.  
         [0027]     By way of example, for an access level 1 password, a caregiver may be presented with medications being taken and the trend graphs of important physiological measurements of the resident. Since the caregiver is not prescribing medications, their access would not include the same degree of information as the doctor or resident. If there is presently a critical emergency situation taking place while the caregiver is in attendance, the caregiver then becomes a part of the emergency response team.  
         [0028]     For an access level 2 password, the requestor can be presented with the same information as the caregiver and emergency responder plus other medical information that is more private to the resident-if requested. That can include history of doctor visits and medical matters, related medical information, schedules, costs, insurance, etc.  
         [0029]     For an access level 3 password, a doctor can access diagnosis and testing information which can include raw data as well as summaries and notes on discussions with other physicians. This could be a more complicated language intended for exchange of information between physicians. The physician would be issued a password that could then be stored in a special data bank or location accessed by the doctors or their representatives. They could change that password to one of their choosing.  
         [0030]     If a cell phone access is available and the phone incorporates text and video, it is possible that the same passwords can provide the same levels of information. For example, if a doctor is out of the office when called for an emergency response, the doctor can call into the system and obtain the emergency or other information remotely. In the case of remote access, the doctor would need to use his/her password even as an emergency responder. Other access levels could be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1 . illustrates various aspects of a system  10  which embodies the present invention. System  10  incorporates a base or control unit  12  which can carry out many, if not all of the functions of a residential monitoring system.  
         [0032]     Residential meeting systems have been disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,691 B 1  entitled In-Home Patient Monitoring System which issued Jun. 11, 2002. Another such system has been disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/956,681 filed Oct. 1, 2004 and entitled Mobile Telephonic Device and Base Station. The &#39;681 application is assigned to the Assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0033]     Unit  12  includes a programmable processor  12   a  as well as interface circuitry  12   b , which would be understood by those of skill in the art, for receiving information from members of a plurality  14  of physiological sensors. The members of the plurality  14  could include for example and without limitation blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, temperature monitors, respiration sensors and the like all without limitation.  
         [0034]     The sensors of  14  communicate with the unit  12  by a wired or wireless medium indicated generally at  16 . It will be understood that the nature and characteristics of the media of  16  are not limitations of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Unit  12  incorporates control software  12   c  having a variety of different functional characteristics including data acquisition software  12   c - 1 , communication software  12   c - 2 , data and trend analysis software  12   c - 3 , local display and interacting control software  12   c - 4  and multi-level access control software for  12   c - 5 . In accordance with the above description and as described in more detail subsequently, signals received from members of the plurality of sensors  14  can be acquired and analyzed by software  12   c  for purposes of informing residents, substantially in real-time, if desired, as to ongoing trends.  
         [0036]     Trend information can be presented on a display unit  20 . A resident who might be viewing trend information on the display  20  can interact with unit  12  via a touch screen or alternately keyboard  22 . It will be understood that the exact characteristics of the display  20  and input devices such as keyboard  22  are not limitations of the present invention.  
         [0037]     Software  12   c  can also incorporate multi-level access control software  12   c - 5  which can make available to the resident, emergency personnel, caregivers, relatives or medical monitors various degrees of residential medical and personal data  12   d . The data  12   d  can be stored over a period of time and can be used to establish baselines for the resident.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a representative graph of blood pressure which might be sensed via one of the sensors  14 , and, as a result of analysis carried out by software  12   c - 3  the trend information of  FIG. 2  can be presented on display  20  for the resident. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , upper and lower limits U 1 , L 1  can be displayed as well as a nominal or normal value N 1 , which might be based on medical information and data  12   d  of the resident.  
         [0039]     The sensed blood pressure information B 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  as trending away from the nominal or normal value N 1  for the resident. Such a display provides immediate feedback to the resident that a potential trend of concern is developing.  
         [0040]     The trend information can be forwarded via processor  12   a , unit  12 , and a medium  26 , which could be wired or wireless, to one or more monitoring sites, sites maintained by relatives and/or friends for purposes of alerting such individuals as to developing trends of potential concern. It will be understood that the medium  26  could include one or more computer networks, such as the Internet.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C illustrate additional aspects of the interactive software  12   c  relative to data received from a heart rate sensor of the plurality  14 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates ongoing heart rate prior to exercise taking place with upper limit U 2 , lower limit L 2  and nominal normal N 2 . The illustrated R 1  various above and below the nominal normal value N 2  depending on in part behavior of the resident for example resting, moving around or the like prior to exercise.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3B  represents ongoing trend information relative to heart rate subsequent to exercise. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B  the post exercise rate R 2  once again is presented in combination with the upper limit U 3  lower limit L 3  and a nominal or normal post exercise value N 3 . The heart rate data R 2  illustrates an increase due to exercise and a subsequent decrease. Such information could be useful to the resident as well as to other individuals in communication with unit  12  to ascertain the benefits of one or more exercise programs.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3C  illustrates alternate trend information, namely, heart rate recovery after exercise as a function of time. Upper and lower limits U 4 , L 4  bracket part of measured heart rate R 3 . While falling within normal limits subsequent to exercise the resident&#39;s heart rate R 3  exceeds upper limit U 4  at time T 1  which could be indicative of an adverse developing condition.  
         [0044]     Feedback can be provided to the resident automatically via unit  12  as well as from the remote monitoring sites via medium  26  to alert the resident to a need to modify behavior, take medication and/or the like. Additionally, the accumulated resident data  12   d  can be accessed by the multi-level control software  12   c - 5  both locally and remotely to further evaluate the resident&#39;s condition in the event of adverse trends as illustrated in  FIG. 3C .  
         [0045]     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.