Patent Publication Number: US-2011071364-A1

Title: Remote Patient Monitoring System and Method Thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a remote patient monitoring system, and more particularly, to a remote patient monitoring system and the method thereof. 
     2. Prior Art 
     In medical practice, many kinds of diseases require long-term observation and constant monitoring and alert so that the patient receives the best care. Take the monitoring of heart diseases, fever, and all kinds of pains for example, long-term observation is required on various physiological phenomena so that evaluation can be made on patients&#39; condition and changes, and development of the disease can be controlled. However, long-term monitoring devices are not so patient-friendly which lead to low patient compliance. Furthermore, the insufficiency of devices and analyzing tools also limit the progress of medical practice. 
     Long-term bio-signal detecting system nowadays is built on the technique of traditional cable transmission. The tester must stick electrodes to the object, and the electrodes are connected by cables to the amplifier for analog-to-digital conversion, and then digital signal processing. It is very inconvenient for the tester due to the fact that the cables on the body, which limits the movement, even for going to the restroom. As a result, patients may have doubts for examination or not willing to conduct a long-term detection as doctor recommended. 
     In addition, most of the recording devices on the market are only suitable for hospital use instead of home use. Once being taken out of the hospital, the devices loss the function of prompt monitoring and then alert will not be sent out as well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of this invention is to provide a remote patient monitoring system and the method thereof to improve the existing techniques. 
     Based on one of the characteristics, this invention provides a remote patient monitoring system for taking care of users (patients). This remote patient monitoring system comprises a portable electronic device, a remote monitor, and a bio-signal detecting device. The bio-signal detecting device further comprises a plurality of bio-signal sensing modules, a wireless transmitting module, and a control unit. The bio-signal detecting device can be worn directly on the body of user so that the bio-signal sensing modules can obtain a plurality of bio-signals from the user. The control unit is coupled to the bio-signal sensing modules and the wireless transmitting module. The control unit aforementioned controls the wireless transmitting module to transmit the bio-signals to the portable electronic device, such as by Bluetooth transmission. The portable electronic device can transmit several bio-signals to the remote monitor via telecommunication network or Ethernet. 
     In accordance with another characteristic of the present invention, a remote patient monitoring method is provided to take care of users (patients). This method may be arranged with the bio-signal detecting device which can be worn on the user, the portable electronic device, and the remote monitor. This remote patient monitoring method comprises: using the bio-signal detecting device to obtain a plurality of bio-signals from the user, using the bio-signal detecting device to transmit the aforementioned bio-signals to the portable electronic device, and using the portable electronic device to transmit the aforementioned bio-signals to the remote monitor. 
     The advantage of the present invention is that the monitoring of the patient&#39;s condition and the medical evaluation can be in progress simultaneously at a remote end. Therefore, the disease progress can be thoroughly comprehended and the medication management system can conduct medication recommendation and evaluation based on the received bio-signals. In addition, personal medication alert and long-term bio-signal recording and monitoring system are also provided for the doctors for a more convenient medical evaluation, and many objective bio-signals also help the doctors to conduct a more precise evaluation. Furthermore, the automatic alert function of this invention can remind users and remote medical staff to pay attention, and conduct correct commands and responses. 
     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the remote patient monitoring system of an exemplary according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the functional block diagram of the bio-signal detecting device of an exemplary in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the flowchart of the remote patient monitoring method of an exemplary in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the flowchart of the remote patient monitoring method of an exemplary in another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is the remote patient monitoring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The remote patient monitoring system  1  in this embodiment comprises a bio-signal detecting device  3 , a portable electronic device  4 , and a remote monitor  5 , wherein the portable electronic device  4  further comprises a output unit  41 . 
     In this embodiment, the bio-signal detecting device  3  is used to be worn on the body of the user  2 , such as between the chest and the abdomen. However, the wearing position of the bio-signal detecting device  3  is not limited in this invention. In the embodiment, the portable electronic device  4  can be a cell phone, a PDA, a notebook computer, or a netbook, and there is no limitation in this invention. In this embodiment, the output unit  41  can be the display monitor or the audio output device of the portable electronic device  4 . In the preferred embodiment, the remote monitor  5  can be located in the hospital control room, or be the computer of family doctor or medical staff. This invention does not limit the type of the remote monitor  5 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the bio-signal detecting device  3  communicates with the portable electronic device  4  via wireless transmission. For example, the bio-signal detecting device  3  transmits the bio-signals or relevant information to the portable electronic device  4  via Bluetooth transmission. Nevertheless, this invention is not limited to the wireless transmission described above. In this embodiment, the portable electronic device  4  communicates with the remote monitor  5  via cable or wireless transmission. For example, the portable electronic device  4  can transmit information to the remote monitor  5  via telecommunication network or Ethernet. 
       FIG. 2  is the functional block diagram of the bio-signal detecting device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to  FIG. 1  regarding the description of  FIG. 2 . The bio-signal detecting device  3  in this embodiment comprises a plurality of bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313 , the acceleration sensor  314 , the control unit  32 , the wireless transmitting module  33 , and the memory unit  34 . The control unit  32  described above respectively couples to the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313 , the acceleration sensor  314 , the wireless transmitting module  33 , and the memory unit  34 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313  obtain a plurality of bio-signals from user  2 . Preferably, the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313  conveniently receive the bio-signals by directly contacting the skin or the body of user  2 , instead of receiving the bio-signals via external electrodes or cables. Nevertheless, it is not limited in this invention. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313  can be a body temperature detecting device, an electrocardiogram detecting device, and an electromyogram detecting device for obtaining the body temperature signal, the electrocardiogram signal, and the electromyogram signal. However, in other embodiments, the bio-signal detecting device can also be other detecting devices such as respiratory detecting device. This invention does not prescribe limits on the type of the bio-signal detecting devices. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the acceleration sensor  314  can be a 3-axis accelerometer to provide the activity information of the user  2 . For example, when the user  2  is walking, the detected value from the 3-axis of the acceleration sensor  314  changes; therefore, at least one detected value will be output to the control unit  32  for relevant signal processing so that we will know the user  2  is moving. On the other hand, if the user does not walk for a half day such as lying on the bed, the change of the 3-axis of the acceleration sensor  314  is minimum so that it is understood that the user  2  may suffer from an accident or illness and medical staff can provide assistance immediately 
     In this embodiment, the control unit  32  comprises the filter circuits, the amplifier circuits, the analog-to-digital conversion circuits, and the micro processors (not shown in figures). In this embodiment, the wireless transmitting module  33  can be a Bluetooth transmitting module, but there is no limitation in this invention. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the memory unit  34  can be non-volatile memory such as flash memory, but this invention does not restrict the type of the memory unit  34 . In addition, the memory unit  34  in this embodiment can be used to store the physiological detected value and the activity information received from the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313 , and the acceleration sensor  314 , wherein the physiological detected value is obtained from the bio-signals processed by the control unit  32 , and activity information is obtained from the detected signals of acceleration sensor  314  processed by control unit  32 . In this embodiment, the physiological detected value will also be referred as bio-signals for a clear description. 
       FIG. 3  is the flowchart of the remote patient monitoring method in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The detailed description of  FIG. 3  will conduct with  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     In step S 305 , the bio-signal detecting device  3  worn on the body of the user  2  can obtain bio-signals by internally disposed bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313 . In some embodiments, the bio-signal detecting device  3  can also use the internally disposed acceleration sensor  314  to obtain the detected value. In addition, the bio-signal detecting devices  311 ,  312 , and  313 , and the acceleration sensor  314  can transmit the detected signals to the control unit  32  for relevant signal processing in order to obtain the bio-signals and the activity information. The aforementioned bio-signals and the activity information can be stored in the memory unit  34 . 
     In step S 310 , the control unit  32  controls the wireless transmitting module  33  for transmitting the bio-signals and/or the activity information to the portable electronic device  4 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the bio-signals and activity information is stored in the memory unit  34 , and the control unit  32  can regularly, 5 minutes for example, transmit the bio-signals and/or the activity information stored in the memory unit  34  to the portable electronic device  4  via the wireless transmitting module  33 . In other embodiments, the control unit  32  can also simultaneously transmit the bio-signals and/or the activity information to the portable electronic device  4  via the wireless transmitting module  33 . 
     In step S 315 , the portable electronic device  4  transmits the bio-signals and/or the activity information to the remote monitor  5  via telecommunication network or Ethernet. Therefore, medical staff at remote end can keep an eye on the bio-signals of the user  2  by the remote monitor  5  for monitoring the condition, and immediate medical recommendation and evaluation can be promptly provided. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the portable electronic device  4  can be installed with application for immediate bio-signal analysis. Relevant medical recommendation can be provided via output unit  41  to remind the user  2 . For example, if the body temperature of the user stays high, the portable electronic device  4  will remind the user  2  to take fever relieving pills every 4 hour or recommend the user  2  for hospitalization as soon as possible. 
       FIG. 4  is the flowchart of the remote patient monitoring method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The detailed description of  FIG. 4  will conduct with  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     In step S 405 , the bio-signal detecting device  3  worn on the body of user  2  can employ internally disposed bio-signal devices  311 ,  312 , and  313  to obtain bio signals, wherein bio-signal devices  311 ,  312 , and  313  transmit the detected signals to the control unit  32  for relevant signal processing to obtain bio-signals. The bio-signals aforementioned can be stored in the memory unit  34 . 
     In step S 410 , the control unit  32  compares the bio-signals with the bio-signal default stored in the memory unit  34  so that physiological alert information can be provided for issuing warning or making judgment regarding the condition of the user  2 . 
     For example, one of the received bio-signals by the control unit  32  is the body temperature signal and the body temperature is 37 degree Celsius. The control unit  32  compares the body temperature signal aforementioned with the bio-signal default, wherein the default can be a range, such as 37 to 37.5. 
     If the detected body temperature signal matches the bio-signal default stored in the memory unit  34 , it indicates that the body temperature of the user  2  is normal and no medication is necessary. If each of the bio-signals matches the bio-signal default stored in the memory unit  34 , the control unit  32  can control the wireless transmitting module  33  to directly transmit the bio-signals to the portable electronic device  4 . The portable electronic device  4  then transmits the bio-signals to the remote monitor  5  to continuously record the condition of the user  2  (step S 415 ). 
     If one of the detected bio-signals does not match the bio-signal default stored in the memory unit  34 , such as a body temperature signal of 39.5 degree Celsius, the control unit will provide physiological alert information, wherein the physiological alert information can comprise a physiological alert message or a reminding message for medication (step S 420 ). 
     In step S 425 , the control unit  32  controls the wireless transmitting module  33  to transmit the physiological alert information to the portable electronic device  4 . The portable electronic device  4  transmits the physiological alert information to the remote monitor  5  to promptly warn the medical staff that the condition of the user  2  may worsen. In the preferred embodiment, when the portable electronic device  4  receives the physiological alert information, the portable electronic device  4  can remind the user  2  to take the medication, go to the hospital as soon as possible, or contact the family doctor via the output unit  41 . In the preferred embodiment, when the remote monitor  5  receives the physiological alert information or the bio-signals, the remote monitor  5  can provide an analysis result to the portable electronic device  4  according to the physiological alert information or the bio-signals so that a simple medical suggestion can be provided to the user  2 . 
     In step S 430 , the control unit  32  will continuously compare the bio-signals with the bio-signal default stored in the memory unit  34 . If all the bio-signals match the bio-signal default, step S 415  will proceed. 
     If the bio-signals aforementioned (body temperature signal) still do not match the bio-signal default, the control unit  32  will provide information of hospitalization. The control unit  32  will control the wireless transmitting module  33  to transmit the hospitalization information to the portable electronic device  4  (step S 435 ). The portable electronic device  4  reminds the user  2  for hospitalization by the output unit  41 . Moreover, the portable electronic device  4  will transmit the hospitalization information to the remote monitor  5  so that medical staff can provide on-site emergency care for the user  2  or pick up the user  2  to hospital for further medical care. 
     In another embodiment, the remote monitor  5  can also be stored up a plurality of bio-signal default. After the remote monitor  5  receives a plurality of bio-signals mentioned above, the remote monitor  5  will compare the aforementioned bio-signal default and bio-signals to provide the physiological alert information and/or the hospitalization information. 
     In conclusion, the remote patient monitoring system and the method thereof provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention integrate the control unit, the bio-signal detecting module, and the wireless transmitting module with medication processing system so that objective and standardized physiological values are provided. As a result, medical staff can correctly evaluate the condition and the changes, and the patients&#39; condition can be effectively controlled. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.