Patent ID: 12191008

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is presented to provide an illustration of the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit, in any way, the inventive concepts contained herein. Moreover, the particular features described in this section can be used in combination with the other described features in each of the multitude of possible permutations and combinations contained herein.

All terms defined herein should be afforded their broadest possible interpretation, including any implied meanings as dictated by a reading of the specification as well as any words that a person having skill in the art and/or a dictionary, treatise, or similar authority would assign particular meaning. Further, it should be noted that, as recited in the specification and in the claims appended hereto, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural referents unless otherwise stated. Additionally, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” when used herein specify that certain features are present in that embodiment, but should not be interpreted to preclude the presence or addition of additional features, components, operations, and/or groups thereof.

The following disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise, and includes terms such as “directly” coupled, secured, etc. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

Referring now toFIG.1, a system10for measuring and displaying neonatal health information in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system10includes a neonatal warmer4for receiving a neonatal patient2and one or more physiological sensors12that measure at least one physiological parameter of the neonatal patient2. In one embodiment, the physiological sensors12includes a pulse oximeter sensor and a temperature sensor. The neonatal warmer4and the physiological sensors12are coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a computing system14which includes a user interface16displayed on a display screen, a controller/processor17for controlling the display of the user interface16, receiving information from the neonatal warmer4and physiological sensors12, and receiving and processing commands from the user interface16, and a memory18for storing predetermined values, such as time windows and blood oxygen levels (e.g., SpO2 values), and measurement values received from the neonatal warmer4and the physiological sensors12. SpO2 is a measurement of oxygen being carried in a patient's blood, and is typically presented as a percentage of a maximum amount the blood could carry. Typically, in a healthy adult, a percentage between 96 and 99% is considered normal/healthy. In newborns, however, a lower range (e.g., less than 70%) may be measured initially. It is expected, however, that the SpO2 measurements will increase in the minutes after birth (e.g., a range between 90% and 95% approximately 10 minutes after birth is generally considered normal and healthy). The computing system14is connected to an APGAR timer20for keeping track of the time elapsed since birth of the neonatal patient2and a stopwatch22for timing certain events outside of birth chosen by the user, such as a measured SpO2 value at a particular time.

FIG.2illustrates a process100of displaying neonatal health information using the system10. At the outset, a user (e.g., a doctor, nurse, medical personnel or technician) may first set up the system10by entering into the computing system14via the user interface16(shown inFIG.4) a plurality of time windows T1-Tnand a plurality of target SpO2 values V1-Vn, each of the plurality of time windows T1-Tncorresponding to time elapsed after the start of the APGAR timer20, and each of the plurality of target values V1-Vncorresponding to one of the plurality of time windows T1-Tn(step110; shown inFIG.4). Once these values have been entered, the system10displays a table on the user interface16showing each of the time windows T1-Tnand their corresponding target values V1-Vn(step112). The system10also prompts the user to enter alarm values (step114), namely an upper boundary alarm value and a lower boundary alarm value, that operate to call the attention of the user when a measured SpO2 value of the infant moves out of range of the upper and lower boundary values. These values are also displayed on the user interface16.

Once the system10has been set up, the computing system14awaits receipt of a signal or data indicating the start time T0of the APGAR timer20(step116), which indicates the moment of an infant's birth. In one example, the timer is initiated via a user pressing a button (e.g., a button on the interface16, a softkey on the system10, or a hardkey on the system) Thereafter, the computing system14regularly receives data from the APGAR timer20as to the current time value of the APGAR timer20(step118) along with data from the physiological sensors12indicating the current measured SpO2 value of the infant (step120). In one embodiment, the system10also regularly receives data from the at least one physiological sensor12regarding other health information about the neonatal patient2, such as the patient's core temperature, peripheral temperature, and heartbeat, as well as information regarding the neonatal warmer4, such as the warmer temperature, mattress temperature, and bed tilt angle (step122), to list a few examples. The computing system14then displays this information on the user interface16(step124).

Upon receiving the current time of the APGAR timer20at step118and a measured SpO2 value of the infant at step120, the computing system14checks for whether the measured SpO2 value is between the upper and lower boundary alarm values (step126). If the answer is no, the computer system activates an alarm system (step128) to get the user's attention, which could include commanding the user interface16to produce eye-catching graphics, such as flashing colors, or commanding a connected sound system to produce alarm-like sounds, such as a siren or repetitive beeping. If the answer is yes, the computing system14moves on and deactivates the alarm system if it is currently activated (step130). The alarm system, when activated by step128, is designed to alert the attention of the user when the measured blood-oxygen level of the neonatal patient2is at an unsafe level, thereby providing the impetus for the user or other medical personnel to treat the unsafe condition.

After the measured SpO2 value is checked in step126, the computing system14checks for whether the current time of the APGAR timer20is within a particular time window, namely between Tx−1and Tx(step132). The computing system14first checks whether the current time is within the first time window (i.e., between T0and T1, where x=1). If the answer is no, the computing system14then moves to the next time window (i.e., increases x by 1; see step134) and then checks whether the current time is within the second time window (i.e., between T1and T2) (repeat step132). This continues until step132results in a “yes,” at which point the table entry with the corresponding Txand Vxvalues is highlighted (step136), thereby calling the attention of the doctor, nurse, or technician to view the target SpO2 value Vxand compare it against the measured SpO2 value of the infant. Steps118-136repeat as the APGAR timer20continues to run. The term “highlighted”, as used in the specification and claims, is intended to mean to make an element of a graphical user interface stand out from other elements of the interface, for example, by showing text or data in a heavier font (bold), providing a different background color than other elements, making a portion of that element flash or sequentially change color or brightness.

FIG.3illustrates a process150of measuring and recording neonatal health information based on the readings of the stopwatch22. At the outset, the computing system14receives a command from the user interface16to initiate the stopwatch22(step152). The stopwatch22can be initiated at any time at the user's discretion, including before the APGAR timer20starts or while the APGAR timer20is running. Once initiated, the stopwatch22begins to count seconds (step154), and the user interface16displays the time elapsed in seconds since the stopwatch22was initiated (step156).

The computing system14regularly checks whether it has received a “store” command from the user via the user interface16(step158). When the computing system14receives a “store” command, the computing system14checks and records the current time value of the stopwatch22into the memory18(step160). At the same time, the computing system14receives from the physiological sensors12a measured SpO2 value representing the blood oxygen level of the neonatal patient2at the time it received the “store” command, and then stores the measured SpO2 value with the current time value in the memory18(step162). In one embodiment, the computing system14will then display the recorded time values and corresponding measured SpO2 values obtained from each received “store” command (step164).

Steps156-164repeat until the computing system14receives a “stop” command from the user via the user interface16(step166), at which point the computing system14receives and stores the measured SpO2 value measured at the time the “stop” command was received (step168). The stopwatch22ceases counting and displays the time value the stopwatch22had reached upon receiving the “stop” command (step170).

FIG.4displays an exemplary embodiment of a display200of the user interface16discussed above. As seen inFIG.4, the display200includes a SpO2 monitor202that displays the infant's current measured SpO2 value and regularly updates based on the measured SpO2 values it receives from the physiological sensors12. The SpO2 monitor202also displays the upper and lower alarm values204a,204bnext to the received measured SpO2 value being displayed. The display200also includes an APGAR timer interface206and a stopwatch interface208, both of which allowing a user to start the APGAR timer20and stopwatch22, respectively, with the touch of a button (see APGAR timer and stopwatch “Start” keys207,209) and monitor the progress of each. Above the APGAR timer interface206is a target table210showing each of the time windows T1-Tnand their corresponding target values V1-Vn, where each time window Txis positioned on the left side of its corresponding target value Vx. To the right of the target table210is a sensor monitor212showing the one or more other values being monitored by the physiological sensors12, such as a central temperature monitor212awhich measures the core temperature of neonatal patient2, a peripheral temperature monitor212bwhich measures the temperature of the neonatal patient's extremities, a warmer power monitor212cwhich measures the power output of the neonatal warmer4, and a mattress temperature monitor212dwhich measures the mattress temperature of the neonatal warmer4. The display200also includes a configuration button array214that a user can touch to configure the system10from the user interface16. In one embodiment, the display200also includes an electrocardiogram monitor216that shows the heartbeat of the neonatal patient2and control dials218a,218bfor controlling the power output of the warmer and mattress heater.

Turning toFIG.5, when a user touches the stopwatch “Start” key209of the stopwatch interface208(see step152ofFIG.3), the stopwatch interface208displays an upward counting timer (see step154ofFIG.3), the stopwatch “Start” key209transforms into a stopwatch “Stop” key209a, and a stopwatch “Store” key209bappears. The stopwatch “Store” key209bsends a command to the computing system14to initiate the SpO2 value storing functions of steps160-164shown inFIG.3and discussed above. When the stopwatch “Stop” key209ais pressed, the computing system14receives a command to stop the stopwatch22(see step166ofFIG.3).

FIG.6illustrates the execution of step110on the display200. When a user presses the “System setup” key214aon the configuration button array214, a system setup window220appears to allow a user to configure the time windows T1-Tnand the target values V1-Vnthat will be shown in the target table210. More particularly, the system setup window220includes interactive keys that show the currently set time windows (see time keys220a-220f) and the current target values (see lower target keys221a-221fand upper target keys221a′-221f′) that will appear in the target table210. Pressing these interactive keys will enable the user to change the values shown on the face of these keys, which will show on the target table210of the display200as time windows T1-Tnand target values V1-Vn(see step112inFIG.2).

FIG.7illustrates the execution of step114on the display200. When a user presses the “Alarms” key214bon the configuration button array214, an alarm setup window222appears to allow a user to configure the alarm limits of the system10. More particularly, the alarm setup window222includes interactive keys that show the current upper and lower limit alarm values (see upper limit key222aand lower limit key222b) on either side of the current measured SpO2 value (see SpO2 monitor202). When pressed, the upper and lower limit keys222a,222benable the user to enter a desired upper SpO2 boundary value and a lower SpO2 boundary value, respectively. These values will show on the SpO2 monitor202as the upper and lower alarm values204a,204b.

FIGS.8-10illustrate the execution of step136on the display200. As seen on the APGAR timer interface206inFIG.8, the APGAR timer20has already begun and is at 32 seconds. At this point, the computing system14has recognized that the APGAR timer20is currently within the first time window T1, and has highlighted the first entry210aon the target table210by placing the text thereon in bold. As seen inFIG.8, the SpO2 monitor202indicates that the measured SpO2 value is outside the target values of the first time window, but within the upper and lower alarm values204a,204b.

Turning toFIG.9, the APGAR timer interface206shows that the APGAR timer20is at 2:01, which the computing system14recognizes as no longer within the first time window T1and now within the second time window T2. Accordingly, the first entry210ais no longer highlighted, and instead the second entry210bon the target table210is highlighted. In addition, the SpO2 monitor202indicates that the measured SpO2 value is not only within the target values of the second time window, but it also exceeds the upper alarm value204a, which results in an alarm being activated. This alarm can take various forms, including the appearance of an alarm window224indicating the cause for alarm or the flashing of the SpO2 monitor, as seen inFIG.9.

Turning toFIG.10, the APGAR timer interface206indicates that the APGAR timer20is at 5:11, which is within the fifth time window T5as seen on the fifth entry210e, and the SpO2 monitor indicates that the measured SpO2 value is within the fifth target value. Accordingly, the fifth entry210eof the target table210is highlighted. In addition, a condition warning sign223has appeared as a result of one of the control dials218a,218bbeing turned down to an unacceptable level (i.e., below 36 degrees C.). This informs the user of a potential problem, thereby providing the impetus to fix it.

In one or more alternative embodiments, methods for highlighting the time windows could be implemented. For example, previous or subsequent time windows could be “gray out”, the current time window may be highlighted via a colored box, subsequent time windows may only “appear” as the timer starts the next time window, to list a few examples. Additionally, one or more of these exemplary embodiments could be combined.

FIG.11shows a system11for measuring and displaying health information in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the neonatal warmer4includes a bed tilt adjuster6that adjusts the angle at which the bed of the neonatal warmer4is positioned relative to a horizontal plane. While not illustrated in the figure, the tilt adjust is able to adjust the neonatal warmer in both the longitudinal and latitudinal axis. The neonatal warmer4and the bed tilt adjuster6are connected to a tilt sensor8which measures the bed tilt of the neonatal warmer4and communicates that information to the computing system14. The controller/processor17of the computer system is also configured to send control signals to the bed tilt adjuster6to change the bed tilt of the neonatal warmer4. In one embodiment, the tilt sensor8includes one or more accelerometers. The accelerometer could be a multi-axis accelerometer (e.g., 2 axis or 3 axis).

FIG.12illustrates a process180for displaying bed tilt information and controlling bed tilt of the neonatal warmer4from the computing system14. At the outset, the computing system14checks the tilt alignment of the neonatal warmer4and the bed tilt adjuster6(step181). Using this information, the computing system14determines whether the tilt alignment of the neonatal warmer4and bed tilt adjuster6is faulty or beyond a predetermined range that is deemed acceptable (step182). If the answer is yes, an alarm system is activated (step183) before moving measuring the tilt of the neonatal warmer4(step185). The alarm could be visual, auditory, or a combination of both. Alternatively, the alarm may be routed to a central monitor station so as avoid creating unnecessary noises or visual stimuli that may disturb the infant. If not, the computing system14simply moves on to step185while deactivating the alarm system if it is currently active (step184). In step185, the computing system14reads the raw tilt information (e.g., A/D counts) from the tilt sensor8to get a raw tilt measurement. This raw tilt measurement is then converted to degrees based on how the bed tilt adjuster6is calibrated and previously recorded data regarding bed tilt (step186). The computing system14then displays the bed tilt angle on the user interface16(step187). In an alternative embodiment, the computing system may present an option whereby the bed tilt angle is automatically adjusted back to level.

At this point, the computing system14checks whether it has received any commands from the user via the user interface16to adjust the bed tilt angle (step188). If not, the computing system14returns to step181. If so, the computing system14transmits, through the controller/processor17, a control signal including those commands to the bed tilt adjuster6(step189) before returning to step181.

FIGS.13and14show alternative embodiments of the display200shown inFIG.4. In the embodiment of a display300shown inFIG.13, the sensor monitor312does not include a number of patient centric monitors, such as central and peripheral temperature, and instead includes only a warmer power monitor312cand a bed tilt monitor312e. The bed tilt monitor312eshows the angle at which the bed of the neonatal warmer4is positioned relative to a horizontal plane. In the embodiment of a display400shown inFIG.14, the sensor monitor412shows the same monitors as those shown inFIG.4(see, central temperature monitor412a, peripheral temperature monitor412b, and warmer power monitor412c), except the mattress temperature monitor212dis swapped for a bed tilt monitor412e.

FIG.15shows a third embodiment of a display500. In this embodiment, the target table510is modified to have the table entries be selectable to show a greater understanding of where the measured SpO2 values fell within the target values at specific time windows. For instance, the target table510shows what happens when the second entry510bassociated with the second time window T2is selected. In such circumstances, the remaining entries of the target table510collapse, showing only the time window T2and target value V2information in the second entry510b. Below the second entry510bappears a target value gauge511showing a range of possible measured SpO2 values, with the range of values associated with the target value V2represented by a target band511ashown in one color (e.g., green) and the range of values outside of the target value V2represented by a lower band511band an upper band511cshown in a second color (e.g., yellow). The target value gauge511also includes a gauge wand511dshowing where the measured SpO2 value was in reference to the selected target value V2at a particular time during the selected time window T2. The display500enables the user to get a graphical representation of where a neonatal patient's measured SpO2 values were in reference to the target value Vxat any particular time, which can facilitate readily understanding the patient's health status at that time relative to what is expected of a healthy infant.

FIG.16shows a fourth embodiment of a display600. In this embodiment, a target graph610is provided instead of a target table and the measured SpO2 values611are presented in graphical format. Optionally, the color of the target graph610could be controlled to indicate whether the current measured SpO2 value611is within the target range. For example, target graph610could be green when the current measured SpO2 value611is within the target range and yellow if the current measured SpO2 value611is outside of the target range. The display600enables the user to visualize over time both the neonatal patient's measured SpO2 values and their relationship to the target values (represented by the target graph610).

FIG.17shows a fifth embodiment of a display700. This embodiment is very similar to the display400shown inFIG.14, but omits the measured SpO2 or electrocardiogram monitors. This results in a simplified appearance that enables the other elements (the target graph710, the APGAR timer706, and the sensor monitor712) to be larger. This display700may be desirable prior to the APGAR timer706being started and soon thereafter, when there is little measured SpO2 data.

It is important to note that the systems10,11are not currently designed to provide automatic controls for providing supplemental oxygen to a neonatal patient, although these features could be implemented in the future. While it is possible to connect the systems10,11to such a blood oxygen supplemental device, the current purpose of the systems10,11is to provide information to a user in a way that focuses the user's attention on the essential health information of a neonatal patient. This allows a user to quickly and readily understand the essential information about an infant's health so that the user can make informed decisions quickly during the first critical minutes of an infant's life.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor in furthering the art. As such, they are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.