A modular self-care health monitoring system which employs a small handheld microprocessor-based unit (12) such as a compact video game system of the type that includes a display screen (28), switches for controlling device operation (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) and a program cartridge (41, 42, 43) that is inserted into the handheld unit to adapt it for operation with a microprocessor-based healthcare data management unit (10) and a glucose monitor (16) (or, another type of health monitor (30, 32). A modem (46), included in the microprocessor-based data management unit (10), allows data such as blood glucose level to be transmitted to a clearinghouse (54), which transmits reports to a remotely located healthcare professional (60) via facsimile transmission (55). The system is intended for use by persons of all ages, but primarily is directed to children afflicted with diabetes or other chronic ailments.

Modular microprocessor-based health monitoring system

The invention concerns medical diagnosis and monitoring equipment with wireless electrodes (2a...2f) designed to be secured to the skin of the patient (3). The electrodes (2a...2f) include, as well as microsensors, a digital transmitter (31) and receiver (30) unit and an antenna (36a). The electrodes (2a...2f) can be used, for instance, to detect EEG and ECG signals or to monitor body/berathing movements, temperature or perspiration. A preferred embodiment has an electrode which incorporates all functions in a semiconductor chip designed as an integrated circuit with the appropriate sensor, sensor-control, frequency-generation, transmitter and receiver units plus a switching control unit. The antenna (36a) can be mounted either in the flexible electrode covering or directly on the chip.

Wireless medical diagnosis and monitoring equipment

A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual's response to the questions.

Networked system for interactive communication and remote monitoring of individuals

A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health care provider develops a script program using the health care provider apparatus and then sends the script program to a remotely programmable patient apparatus through a communication network such as the World Wide Web. The script program is a computer-executable patient protocol that provides information to the patient about the patient's health condition and that interactively monitors the patient health condition by asking the patient questions and by receiving answers to those questions. The answers to these health related questions are then forwarded as patient data from the remotely programmable patient apparatus to the health care provider apparatus through the communication network. The patient data may also include information supplied by a physiological monitoring device such as a blood glucose monitor that is connected to the remotely programmable patient apparatus. When the patient data arrives at the health care provider apparatus, the patient data is processed for further management of the patient's health condition by the health care provider, such as forwarding another script program to the remotely programmable patient apparatus.

Remote health monitoring and maintenance system

A diabetes management system for predicting a future blood glucose value of a patient and for recommending a corrective action to the patient when the future blood glucose value lies outside of a target range. The system includes a patient-operated apparatus for measuring blood glucose values and for storing data relating to insulin doses administered to the patient. The apparatus predicts the patient's future blood glucose value based upon the patient's current blood glucose value, the fraction of insulin action remaining from the insulin doses, and the patient's insulin sensitivity. The apparatus also determines the corrective action for the patient when the predicted blood glucose value lies outside of a target range. The system also includes a physician computer in communication with the apparatus for receiving the blood glucose values and insulin dose data and for calculating an adjusted insulin sensitivity for use in subsequent predictions.

Diabetes management system and method for controlling blood glucose

A low-power infrared information transmission system, the transmitter of which is compact, portable and capable of being powered by a low-voltage battery power source for an extended period of time, utilizes a unique infrared light pulse position modulation technique. The system is capable of transmitting information from a DC signal to a relatively high frequency AC signal. The system is utilized, for example, to transmit medical information from medical electrodes affixed to a patient via a portable infrared transmitter to a receiver unit which monitors and analyzes the patient's condition; to provide a remote control unit such as the controller for a video game or a TV on/off/channel selector, and, to provide a portable communications device such as a portable microphone or telephone set.

Low-power, infrared information transmission system

A medical patient condition monitoring system includes a portable battery-operable transmitter module which transmits monitored conditions of the patient via infrared energy to the receiver input stage of a medical monitoring and display unit. In one embodiment, the transmitter module which may be worn on the patient's person includes medical electrodes which are coupled to the patient's skin to receive electrical signals generated by the patient's anatomy. A voltage-controlled pulse position modulator circuit is coupled to the medical electrodes for generating pulses controllably positioned in time from a reference frequency in dependence upon the amplitude of the signal generated by the medical electrodes. An infrared light-emitting device is coupled to the output of the pulse position modulator circuit for generating infrared energy bursts in synchronism with the pulses generated by the modulator circuit. A receiver module having an infrared photodetector device located in the patient's room receives the infrared energy, and provides an electrical signal pulsed in synchronism with the bursts of infrared energy. A demodulator circuit coupled to the photodetector device generates an output signal which corresponds to the electrical signals received via the medical electrodes. This output signal is coupled to the monitoring and/or display unit for monitoring the patient's condition.

Medical patient condition monitoring system

A shield for electromagnetic radiations comprising a laminated sheet having exterior layers of copper which sandwich an interior layer of a ferromagnetic alloy taken from the class consisting of nickel-iron compounds having from about 42 to about 80 percent nickel by weight and iron as a substantial portion of the remaining material. The layers are metallurgically bonded to each other by sintering or the like. According to a second embodiment, a laminated sheet is provided having exterior layers of copper which sandwich plural interior layers of ferromagnetic material, the layers of ferromagnetic material having progressively higher permeability and being capable of shielding interference of progressively lower energy level when travelling in a direction away from the direction of the source of interference. A typical laminated sheet in the direction away from the source of interference is copper/permendur/80/copper. A further typical such laminated sheet in the direction away from the source of interference is copper/49/80/copper. In those instances where it is known that no high frequencies will be encountered, the copper layers can be removed. It is necessary that each successive layer in the direction away from the source of interfering electromagnetic radiations be at maximum permeability range at a lower interference energy level.

Shielding material and shielded room

An electrical resistance heater on a metal substrate. Bonded to a surface of the substrate is an insulating layer of a cured polyimide or polyamide-imide resin. A second layer of a cured polyimide or polyamide-imide resin having dispersed therein at least approximately 60% by weight of graphite flakes is bonded to the insulating layer. Intermediate and bonded to a portion of the insulating layer and an opposing portion of the second layer is an electrically conductive stripe which provides a high conductivity path to interconnect the second layer to an external electrical circuit. The stripe is formed from a cured polyimide or polyamide-imide resin having dispersed therein flakes of a conductive metal. The layers are flexible and the second layer and stripe have electrical conductivities which are not substantially degraded during operation at temperatures of at least 200°C. for extended periods of time.

Electrical resistance heaters

A non-contacting position sensor has an exciting coil in a plane and has a sensing coil in an intersecting plane so sensing coil portions are symmetrical around an exciting coil portion in mutually inductive relation to that portion of the exciting coil portions. A ferrite member magnetically shields those sensing coil portions from other portions of the exciting coil and a housing mount the sensor for relative movement with respect to magnetically permeable or electrically conductive inductance-modifier on an object whose position is to be monitored. Movement of the inductance-modifier as the object moves modifies mutual inductance between the respective sensing coil portions and the exciting coil portion so that, when the exciting coil is driven, the sensing coil provides a signal representative of the object position. If desired, an additional sensing coil is disposed in a third plane to provide X-Y position sensing. The inductive position sensor provides a reversal in output signal polarity when the object moves through a selected position where digital output may be required. The sensor regulates operating parameters of an automobile in response to change in position of an automotive component.

George Trenkler

Papers

Low-power, infrared information transmission system

Medical patient condition monitoring system

Shielding material and shielded room

Electrical resistance heaters

Inductive position sensor