Patent Application
20250127672
Not applicable.
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical monitoring of a patient and, more particularly, to monitoring a groups of neonate's conditions where each neonate is in an individual warming therapy device.
This section of this document introduces information about and/or from the art that may provide context for or be related to the subject matter described herein and/or claimed below. It provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. This is a discussion of “related” art. That such art is related in no way implies that it is also “prior” art. The related art may or may not be prior art. The discussion in this section of this document is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Patient observation is an important aspect of medical care for neonatal patients, particularly in the first few days after birth. This remains true for unfortunate neonatal patients whose condition results in admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (“NICU”), even after weeks or months of care. Accordingly, the art continually seeks better and more effective techniques for monitoring neonatal patients. This quest includes not only new and better techniques, but also equipment for implementing such techniques.
The present disclosure provides a multi-patient monitoring capability to medical thermoregulation machines for neonatal patients. Visual and auditory observations are frequently the first indicators to the condition of a neonatal patient. A centralized monitoring station for monitoring multiple neonatal patients provides visual and auditory observations, as well as other sensed conditions, to a caregiver. This capability permits rapid observation, assessment, and reaction to neonatal patient conditions responsive to adverse developments. The capability may also permit lower head counts among nursing and other staff while, at the same time, improving patient care.
In a first aspect, a neonatal patient monitoring system comprises a central monitoring station, including a display device and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring controller is programmed to: receive a plurality of transmitted patient care data from each of a plurality of warming therapy devices; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a second aspect, a method for neonatal monitoring comprises: receiving a plurality of transmitted patient care data from each of a plurality of warming therapy devices; in a first state, concurrently providing a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, providing on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a third aspect, a neonatal patient monitoring system comprises a plurality of warming therapy devices and a central monitoring station. Each warming therapy device defines a respective care environment and includes a plurality of sensors, and a warming therapy device controller. The plurality of sensors capture patient care data when the warming therapy device is in use and includes a camera, a microphone, and a galvanic skin response sensor. The camera positioned in the respective care environment and directed on a patient location to capture video imagery of the neonatal patient; the microphone positioned in the care environment to capture vocalizations of the neonatal patient; and the galvanic skin response sensor to capture the galvanic electrodermal response of the neonatal patient. The warming therapy device controller programmed to: transmit the captured patient care data; analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal. The central monitoring station includes: a display device, and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring station controller is programmed to: receive the transmitted patient care data and transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a fourth aspect, a method for neonatal patient monitoring comprises: for each of a plurality of warming therapy devices, sensing a plurality of patient care data from within a care environment for a neonatal patient, the patient care data including: video imagery of the neonatal patient; audio capture of vocalizations of the neonatal patient; and a galvanic skin response of the neonatal patient; receiving the sensed patient care data at a warming therapy device, the warming therapy device programmed to: transmit the received patient care data; analyze the received patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal; and receiving at a centralized monitoring station the transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device, the centralized monitoring station: in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a fifth aspect, a neonatal patient monitoring system comprises a plurality of warming therapy devices and a central monitoring station. Each warming therapy device defining a respective care environment and includes a plurality of sensors and a warming therapy device controller. The plurality of sensors capture patient care data when the warming therapy device is in use, the patient care data including video imagery of a neonatal patient and audio data of the neonatal patient's vocalizations. The warming therapy device controller programmed to: transmit the captured patient care data; analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal. The central monitoring station includes a display device, and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring station controller is programmed to: receive the transmitted patient care data and transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, automatically provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular warming therapy device triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device. The active patient display is larger than the dormant patient display and includes: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a sixth aspect, a method for neonatal monitoring, comprises: for each of a plurality of warming therapy devices, sensing a plurality of patient care data from within a care environment for a neonatal patient, the patient care data including: video imagery of the neonatal patient; and audio capture of vocalizations of the neonatal patient; and receiving the sensed patient care data at a warming therapy device, the warming therapy device programmed to: transmit the received patient care data; analyze the received patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal; and receiving at a centralized monitoring station the transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device, the centralized transmitting station: in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, automatically provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular warming therapy device triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display and including: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a seventh aspect, a neonatal patient monitoring system is substantially as is shown and described herein.
In an eighth aspect, a method for neonatal monitoring is substantially as is shown and described.
The above presents a simplified summary of the invention as claimed below in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
While the disclosed subject matter is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the drawings illustrate specific implementations described in detail by way of example. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific examples is not intended to limit that which is claimed to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present disclosure provides a multi-patient monitoring capability to medical thermoregulation machines for neonatal patients. A plurality of warming therapy devices integrate a camera and a microphone inside the controlled environment of the warming therapy device for patient monitoring in a neonatal care setting. The audio and visual information from each warming therapy device is forwarded to a centralized monitoring station where a nurse or other caregiver can then visually see and selectively choose to hear any one of multiple neonatal patients concurrently. The monitoring display may display, for example, information such as patient live video, patient alarm status (especially on occurrence), patient identifying information (such as name, identification number, location), patient vital signs (e.g., temperature, blood oxygen saturation, etc.), environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.), audio of neonatal patient vocalizations, and equipment conditions (e.g., canopy open, door latch status, etc.).
Additional sensors may be included to provide information indicative of the neonatal patients' levels of distress. For example, movement-whether absent or excessive—can indicate that a neonatal patient is in distress, and so a motion sensor may be employed. Similarly, galvanic, or electrodermal, skin resistance can indicate stress. More particularly, stress can subliminally or subconsciously increase sweat levels, which can increase skin conductivity (and, concomitantly, reduce skin resistance).
The sensed data can be acquired and transmitted to the central monitoring station. The central monitoring station, in a first state, displays a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on a display device. Each “dormant patient display” includes the video feed from the warming therapy device and a button by which the caregiver can selectively play the accompanying audio feed. The dormant patient display may also include additional information such as environmental conditions in the care environment and/or patient care parameters.
The display of the central monitoring station can also, in a second state, automatically provide an “active patient display”, the second state being triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device. The active patient display is larger than the dormant patient display, and may occupy the entire display device, in order to provide superior detail of the neonatal patient to the caregiver. The active patient display may include the video feed from the respective warming therapy device and the button for selectively playing the audio feed. The active patient display may also include additional information such as the identity of the alarm condition and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In some embodiments, the active patient display may also be provided in a third state of the centralized monitoring station upon selective activation by a caregiver. Thus, a caregiver viewing the dormant patient display may choose to obtain a better view of a particular neonatal patient. The caregiver can then select the particular warming therapy device to obtain the active patient display. The active patient display may be the same or different in the second state and the third state, particularly in the display of patient care data. For example, there may not be an alarm such that the alarm identification is not available for display.
Turning now to the drawings, illustrative examples of the subject matter claimed below are disclosed. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described for every example in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The warming therapy devices 105 may be any kind of neonatal or infant care apparatus that provides a care environment, or a hybrid care environment, or an open warming device, for a neonatal or infant patient. For example, the warming therapy devices 105 may be warmers, incuwarmers, closed care apparatuses and hybrid-warming devices, etc. These examples are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and other types of warming therapy devices may be included. In the illustrated embodiments, the warming therapy devices are incubators, but the subject matter claimed below is not so limited. Again, any neonatal or infant care apparatus that provides a care environment for a neonatal or infant patient may be used in various embodiments.
The computer monitor 250 may be coupled to the patient support assembly 230 of the warming therapy device 105 in either a wired or wireless manner. If the computer monitor 250 is wirelessly coupled to the patient support assembly 230, a caregiver (not shown) can remove the computer monitor 250 from the patient support assembly 230 and move around with it within a wireless coverage zone not indicated. In such an embodiment, the monitor 250 would preferably include a rechargeable internal battery (not shown) which would provide power during wireless use.
Similarly, the patient support assembly 230 would preferably include a charging unit for the internal battery, to charge the monitor 250 when it is stationed on the patient support assembly 230. Although the computer monitor 250 is shown as being coupled to the patient support assembly 230 in
The warming therapy device 105 also includes an audio/visual (“A/V”) device 260. As better shown in
However, there is no requirement that the camera 300 and microphone 305 be integrated in a single device or closely located within the care environment. As shown in
In some embodiments, the camera 300 and the microphone 305 may be integrated into, and be a part of, the warming therapy devices 105. Accordingly, in
Also as shown in
In addition to the camera 300 and the microphone 305, the warming therapy devices 105 will include other sensors not yet shown. These other sensors may include, for example, one or more patient condition sensors to sense patient condition parameters. The patient condition sensors may sense blood oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), non-invasive blood pressure (“NIBP”), end-tidal carbon dioxide (“etCO2”), or body temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or motion, etc., or a combination thereof. For another example, these other sensors may include one or more environmental condition sensors to sense environmental parameters of the care environment. The environmental condition sensors may sense humidity, oxygen levels, or air temperature, etc., or a combination thereof. For another example, these other sensors may include one or more warming therapy device condition sensors to sense operational state of the warming therapy device 105. The warming therapy device condition sensors may sense power to the warming therapy device, warming therapy device on, warming therapy device closed, etc., or combinations thereof.
The examples listed in the immediately preceding paragraph are non-limiting examples. Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the types of sensors and the parameters sensed may be found in practically any permutation depending on implementation-specific details. Such artisans will also appreciate from this disclosure that still types of sensors and parameters other than those listed may be found in other embodiments.
In general, it is contemplated by the present disclosure that warming therapy device 105 includes electronic components and/or electronic computing devices operable to receive, transmit, process, store, and/or manage patient data and information associated performing the functions of the system as described herein, which encompasses any suitable processing device adapted to perform computing tasks consistent with the execution of computer-readable instructions stored in a memory or a computer-readable recording medium.
Further, any, all, or some of the computing devices in warming therapy device 105 may be adapted to execute any operating system, including Linux®, UNIX®, Windows Server®, etc., as well as virtual machines adapted to virtualize execution of a particular operating system, including customized and proprietary operating systems. Warming therapy device 105 may be further equipped with components to facilitate communication with other computing devices over one or more network connections, which may include connections to local and wide area networks, wireless and wired networks, public and private networks, and any other communication network enabling communication in the system.
The warming therapy device 105 may be attached to one or more of several different types of sensors 504 and may be configured to measure and readout physiological data related to neonatal patient. As noted, the sensors 504 may be attached to the warming therapy device 105 by the conductive leads (not separately shown) which may be, for example, cables coupled to sensor interface 508. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more sensors 504 may be connected to sensor interface 508 via a wireless connection. In which case sensor interface 508 may include circuitry for receiving data from and sending data to one or more devices using, for example, a WIFI® connection, a cellular network connection, and/or a BLUETOOTH® connection. Furthermore, some embodiments may employ separate sensor interface circuits for different types of sensors.
The sensors 504 communicate with the warming therapy device 105 over the communications connections 525, which may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. The sensors 504 include one or more environmental condition sensors 545 to sense environmental parameters of the care environment, one or more patient condition sensors 546 to sense patient condition parameters, and one or more warming therapy device condition sensors 547 to sense operational state of the warming therapy device 105.
The environmental condition sensors 545 sense the parameters of the environment that define the environment in which the neonatal patient is kept. These parameters may be set by a caregiver using controls (not shown) on the warming therapy device 105 and, in some embodiments, automatically controlled by the warming therapy device 105. Such automatic control is performed by electronics and programming not shown herein. The environmental parameters typically include quantities such as humidity, oxygen content, and air temperature, among others, and combinations thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the environmental condition sensors 545 include a humidity sensor 530, an oxygen sensor 531, and an air temperature sensor 532.
The patient condition sensors 546 sense parameters that are monitored and used to define the neonatal patient's condition. These parameters frequently include, by way of non-limiting example, blood oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), non-invasive blood pressure (“NIBP”), end-tidal carbon dioxide (“etCO2”), or body (or, “core”) temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or motion, or combinations thereof. The illustrated embodiment also measures galvanic response, which is not monitored or used to define the patient's condition in conventional practice. The patient condition sensors 546 in the illustrated embodiment include a blood oxygen saturation sensor 533, body temperature sensor 534, skin temperature sensor 535, galvanic response 410, motion sensor 536, and blood pressure sensor 537.
The warming therapy device condition sensors 547 sense various potential conditions of the warming therapy device 105 itself that may be of interest. Again, non-limiting examples may include whether there is power to the warming therapy device 105, whether the warming therapy device 105 is turned on, whether the warming therapy device 105 is closed, or the status of the door latch for the warming therapy device 105, or the settings for the warming therapy device 105, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, the warming therapy device condition sensors 547 in the illustrated embodiment include power sensor 538, a power-on sensor 539, a door closed sensor 540, a latch status sensor 541, and a settings sensor(s) 542.
Still referring to
The one or more processors 510 may be used for controlling the general operations of the warming therapy device 105, as well as processing sensor data received by sensor interface 508. The one or more processors 510 may be any suitable processor-based resource. They may be, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (“CPU”), a hardware microprocessor, a multi-core processor, a single core processor, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), or other similar processing device capable of executing any type of instructions, algorithms, or software for controlling the operation and performing the functions of warming therapy device 105. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 510 may comprise a processor chipset including, for example and without limitation, one or more co-processors.
The display/GUI 512 may be configured to display various patient data, sensor data, and hospital or patient care data, and includes a user interface implemented for allowing interaction and communication between a user and warming therapy device 105. The display/GUI 512 may include a keyboard (not shown) and/or pointing or tracking device (not shown), as well as a display, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), cathode ray tube (“CRT”) display, thin film transistor (“TFT”) display, light-emitting diode (“LED”) display, high definition (“HD”) display, or other similar display device that may include touch screen capabilities. The display/GUI 512 may provide a means for inputting instructions or information directly to the warming therapy device 105. The patient information displayed may, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the neonatal patient.
The communications interface 514 may permit the warming therapy device 105 to directly or indirectly (via, for example, a monitor mount) communicate with one or more computing networks and devices, workstations, consoles, computers, monitoring equipment, alert systems, and/or mobile devices (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or other hand-held display device). The communications interface 514 may include various network cards, interfaces, communication channels, cloud, antennas, and/or circuitry to permit wired and wireless communications with such computing networks and devices. The communications interface 514 may be used to implement, for example, a BLUETOOTH® connection, a cellular network connection, and/or a WIFI® connection with such computing networks and devices. Example wireless communication connections implemented using the communication interface 514 include wireless connections that operate in accordance with, but are not limited to, IEEE802.11 protocol, a Radio Frequency For Consumer Electronics (“RF4CE”) protocol, and/or IEEE802.15.4 protocol (e.g., ZigBee® protocol). In essence, any wireless communication protocol may be used.
Additionally, the communications interface 514 may permit direct (i.e., device-to-device) communications (e.g., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from a monitor mount to warming therapy device 105 using, for example, a universal serial bus (“USB”) connection or other communication protocol interface. The communication interface 514 may also permit direct device-to-device connection to other devices such as to a tablet, computer, or similar electronic device; or to an external storage device or memory.
The memory 516 may be a single memory device or one or more memory devices at one or more memory locations that may include, without limitation, one or more of a random-access memory (“RAM”), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (“EPROM”), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (“EEPROM”), a read only memory (“ROM”), a flash memory, hard disk, various layers of memory hierarchy, or any other non-transitory computer readable medium. The memory 516 may be on-chip, or off-chip, or a combination of the two, depending on the implementation of the one or more processors 510. The memory 516 may be volatile, or non-volatile, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the memory 516 may be installed, or remote, or a combination thereof. The memory 516 may be used to store any type of instructions and patient data associated with algorithms, processes, or operations for controlling the general functions and operations of the warming therapy device 105.
The power source 518 may include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet, either directly or by way of a monitor mount. The power source 518 may also be a rechargeable battery that can be detached allowing for replacement. In the case of a rechargeable battery, a small built-in back-up battery (or super capacitor) can be provided for continuous power to be provided to the warming therapy device 105 during battery replacement. Communication between the components of the warming therapy device 105 in this example (may be established using the internal bus 519.
The data signals received from the sensors 504 may be analog signals. Some sensors and/or their leads may include amplifying and filtering circuitry as well as analog-to-digital (A/D) circuitry that converts the analog signal to a digital signal using amplification, filtering, and A/D conversion methods. In the event that one or more of the sensors 504 is a wireless sensor, the sensor interface 508 may receive the data signals from a wireless communication module (not shown in
The one or more processors 510, along with some or all of the memory 516, may constitute a warming therapy device controller. The warming therapy device controller may analyze the received data signal waveforms to identify certain waveform characteristics and threshold levels indicative of conditions (abnormal and normal) of the neonatal patient using one or more monitoring methods as described herein. A monitoring method may include comparing an analog or a digital waveform characteristic or an analog or digital value to one or more threshold values and generating a comparison.
Returning now to
For example, the medical facility 101 in which the neonatal patient is located may include a central monitoring station 309 from which a caregiver 125 may monitor the physical condition of multiple neonatal patients concurrently. The warming therapy device 105, using, for example, the communications interface 514 shown in
For another example, the warming therapy devices 105 may pull information from one or more electronic medical record (“ERM”) 130 for the neonatal patient from a records repository 135 using, for example, the communications interface 114 shown in
Further, any, all, or some of the computing devices in centralized monitoring station 115 may be adapted to execute any operating system, including Linux®, UNIX®, Windows Server®, etc., as well as virtual machines adapted to virtualize execution of a particular operating system, including customized and proprietary operating systems. Centralized monitoring station 115 may be further equipped with components to facilitate communication with other computing devices over one or more network connections, which may include connections to local and wide area networks, wireless and wired networks, public and private networks, and any other communication network enabling communication in the system.
The one or more processors 610 may be used for controlling the general operations of the centralized monitoring station 115, as well as processing sensor data received from the warming therapy devices 105 over the computing system 120. The one or more processors 610 may be any suitable processor-based resource. They may be, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (“CPU”), a hardware microprocessor, a multi-core processor, a single core processor, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), or other similar processing device capable of executing any type of instructions, algorithms, or software for controlling the operation and performing the functions of centralized monitoring station 115. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 610 may comprise a processor chipset including, for example and without limitation, one or more co-processors.
The display/GUI 612 may be configured to display various patient data, sensor data, and hospital or patient care data, and includes a user interface implemented for allowing interaction and communication between a user and centralized monitoring station 115. The display/GUI 612 may include a keyboard (not shown) and/or pointing or tracking device (not shown), as well as a display, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), cathode ray tube (“CRT”) display, thin film transistor (“TFT”) display, light-emitting diode (“LED”) display, high definition (“HD”) display, or other similar display device that may include touch screen capabilities. The display/GUI 612 may provide a means for inputting instructions or information directly to the centralized monitoring station 115. The patient information displayed may, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the neonatal patient.
The communications interface 614 may permit the centralized monitoring station 115 to directly or indirectly (via, for example, a monitor mount) communicate with one or more computing networks and devices, workstations, consoles, computers, monitoring equipment, alert systems, and/or mobile devices (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or other hand-held display device). The communications interface 614 may include various network cards, interfaces, communication channels, cloud, antennas, and/or circuitry to permit wired and wireless communications with such computing networks and devices. The communications interface 614 may be used to implement, for example, a BLUETOOTH® connection, a cellular network connection, and/or a WIFI® connection with such computing networks and devices. Example wireless communication connections implemented using the communication interface 614 include wireless connections that operate in accordance with, but are not limited to, IEEE802.11 protocol, a Radio Frequency For Consumer Electronics (“RF4CE”) protocol, and/or IEEE802.15.4 protocol (e.g., ZigBee® protocol). In essence, any wireless communication protocol may be used.
Additionally, the communications interface 614 may permit direct (i.e., device-to-device) communications (e.g., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from a monitor mount to centralized monitoring station 115 using, for example, a universal serial bus (“USB”) connection or other communication protocol interface. The communication interface 614 may also permit direct device-to-device connection to other devices such as to a tablet, computer, or similar electronic device; or to an external storage device or memory.
The memory 616 may be a single memory device or one or more memory devices at one or more memory locations that may include, without limitation, one or more of a random-access memory (“RAM”), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (“EPROM”), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (“EEPROM”), a read only memory (“ROM”), a flash memory, hard disk, various layers of memory hierarchy, or any other non-transitory computer readable medium. The memory 616 may be on-chip, or off-chip, or a combination of the two, depending on the implementation of the one or more processors 610. The memory 616 may be volatile, or non-volatile, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the memory 616 may be installed, or remote, or a combination thereof. The memory 616 may be used to store any type of instructions and patient data associated with algorithms, processes, or operations for controlling the general functions and operations of the centralized monitoring station 115.
The power source 618 may include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet, either directly or by way of a monitor mount. The power source 618 may also be a rechargeable battery that can be detached allowing for replacement. In the case of a rechargeable battery, a small built-in back-up battery (or super capacitor) can be provided for continuous power to be provided to the centralized monitoring station 115 during battery replacement. Communication between the components of the centralized monitoring station 115 in this example (may be established using the internal bus 619.
The one or more processors 610, along with some or all of the memory 616, may constitute a centralized monitoring station controller. The centralized monitoring station controller may analyze the received data signal waveforms to identify certain waveform characteristics and threshold levels indicative of conditions (abnormal and normal) of the neonatal patient using one or more monitoring methods as described herein. A monitoring method may include comparing an analog or a digital waveform characteristic or an analog or digital value to one or more threshold values and generating a comparison.
The communications among the components of the patient monitoring system 100 may be wired or wireless, as mentioned above. Wired communications may implement any suitable communications protocol, such as ETHERNET®. Wireless communications may implement any suitable communications protocol such as WIFI®, BLUETOOTH®, or even some wireless telephony technology, such as a cellular networking protocol. The wireless communication connections can allow, for example, patient and hospital information, alerts, and physiological data to be transmitted in real-time within a hospital wireless communications network (e.g., WIFI®) as well as allow for patient and hospital information, alerts, and physiological data to be transmitted in real-time to other devices.
It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that the communication connections permit communications over other types of wireless networks using alternate hospital wireless communications such as wireless medical telemetry service (“WMTS”), which can operate at specified frequencies (e.g., 1.4 GHz). Other wireless communication connections can include wireless connections that operate in accordance with, but are not limited to, IEEE802.11 protocol, a Radio Frequency For Consumer Electronics (RF4CE) protocol, ZigBee protocol, and/or IEEE802.15.4 protocol.
The warming therapy devices 105 exhibit programmed behaviors as described below implemented by the warming therapy device controller 700. The warming therapy device controller 700 includes a processor-based resource 510a, which, in this particular embodiment, is one of the one or more processors 510 first shown in
The centralized monitoring station 115 similarly exhibits programmed behaviors as described below implemented by a centralized monitoring station controller 715. The centralized monitoring station controller 715 includes a processor-based resource 610a, which, in this particular embodiment, is one of the one or more processors 610 first shown in
Accordingly, the processor-based resources 510a, 610a perform certain tasks as described herein by executing the respective instructions 705, 720. This may include executing one or more portions of the method described below. However, depending on the environment, the processor-based resources 510a, 610a may also perform other tasks such as pushing data to other computing resources, transmitting alarms, etc. Thus, in this sense, the processor-based resources 510a, 610a, as well as warming therapy devices 105 and/or centralized monitoring station 115 as a whole, may be considered to be “programmed” or “configured” to perform certain functions as described herein.
In the description that follows, the disclosed programmed behaviors of the warming therapy device controllers 700 and the centralized monitoring station controller 715 are performed in real-time, or at least near real-time. The term “near real-time” as used herein means as close to real-time as the computing resources of a given embodiment permit. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the warming therapy device 105 and the centralized monitoring station 115 may include second memory portions 516b, 616b, respectively, in which data 730, 735 and other information may be temporarily stored, or buffered, to accommodate near real-time performance. The second memory portions 516b, 616b may also be used for longer term, or even archival, storage in some embodiments.
Referring now collectively to
In Tables 1-3, each entry includes a “priority”. In the illustrated embodiments, the priority plays no role in the operation or implementation of the embodiment. However, in some embodiments, the priority may be used to decide priority of hearing/viewing audio and video feeds for the patients located in the warming therapy devices. Priority levels could be set for specific patients in some embodiments based on certain known medical conditions. In some embodiments, priority levels could also be modified by a user as needed based on patient population and known disease states. Some embodiments may implement assorted permutations of these scenarios.
The sensors 504 transmit the sensed data to the warming therapy device controller 700. The warming therapy device controller 700 is programmed to transmit (at 806) the captured patient care data to the centralized monitoring station 115 over the computing system 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the warming therapy device controller 700 is furthermore programmed to analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal. The subject matter claimed below admits wide latitude in how the analysis may be performed. It may be as simple as a comparison of sensed values to predetermined threshold values or to more complex analyses.
The transmitted patient care data and, in this embodiment, the transmitted alarm signals (if any), are then received by the centralized monitoring station 115. Ordinarily, the centralized monitoring station controller 715 operates in a first state in which it concurrently provides (at 809) a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device 105 on the display device 512, such as is shown in
In
More technically, the information presented on the display device 612 is all presented through the graphical user interface (“GUI”) previously discussed. Note that this is an implementation-specific detail, and other display techniques may be used. In the context of the GUI, the dormant patient views 9001-9006 and soft key controls SK1-SK11 may be presented as separate windows within the GUI or may be presented as separate panes within a single window, or some combination thereof. For example, each of the dormant patient views 9001-9006 may be presented as a plurality of panes within a single window while the soft key controls SK1-SK11 may be presented as separate buttons within a second, single pane.
The soft key controls SK1-SK11, where implemented, may perform any number of functions. For example, the soft key controls may be used to control the display, such as by selecting a particular dormant patient view to enlarge for better viewing, or to call up device settings, or to manually trigger an alarm from active observation, or to display information regard system setup or configuration, etc. These kinds of details will all be implementation-specific, as will the number of soft key controls.
Each of the dormant patient views 9001-9006 includes video imagery 905 of a neonatal patient 915. This is not required, however. Some embodiments may still present or provide a dormant patient view for a warming therapy device that is empty, or from which the neonatal patient 915 has been temporarily removed. However, by removing the dormant patient view in which no neonatal patient appears will provide additional space to present larger dormant patient views in which the neonatal patient is present. This capability may be implemented in software by the centralized monitoring station controller 715, shown in
Accordingly, the actual number of dormant patient views at any given time will be implementation specific. The view in
Returning now to
An absolute quantification of the term “larger” within the context of the technique disclosed herein will depend on a number of factors and, therefore, is an implementation specific detail. One limitation on the size of a “larger” active patient display is the size of the screen for the display device 612. Other factors include the size and numbers of the dormant patient displays. For example, on a given screen of constant size, two dormant patient displays may be displayed in a “larger” size—perhaps, roughly 45%-50% of the screen each—than can eight dormant patient views—perhaps, roughly 10%-12.5% of the screen apiece. Thus, when the active patient display is provided, how much “larger” it is than the dormant patient display may be a function of how many dormant patient displays (and their size) were originally displayed.
Thus, how “large” is “larger” will depend on a number of factors characterizing a specific implementation. The larger size of the active patient display relative to the dormant patient display is limited only by the screen of the display device 612, although the active patient display need not necessarily occupy the entirety of the screen. In some embodiments, the active patient display may be only 10% larger than the dormant patient display, whereas the active patient display may be 15% larger in other embodiments, up to perhaps 100% of the dormant patient display. Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate the factors mentioned above, and perhaps others as well, in the implementation of any given embodiment.
The subject matter claimed below admits wide variation in the composition of the active patient display and the presentation of data/information therein.
Note that in each of
As with the other active patient displays 1000a and 1000c-1000a, the active patient display 1000b includes the video imagery 905 and the button 910 has been selected to provide the vocalizations of the neonatal patient 915. Also included along the bottom of the display are the body temperature, skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation (“SPO2”). In this embodiment, the active patient display 1000b is displaying patient care information associated with or relevant to the alarm condition. Thus, in this example, perhaps the neonatal patient 905 may be experiencing a fever, hyperthermia, or hypothermia that resulted in the alarm. Note that the numerical values of the sensed parameters will typically be presented with or without some kind of label, although in some embodiments there may be soft keys controls that may be selected to display the desired information.
The information displayed may be in whatever form is most convenient and effective. In
The presentation of the patient care data in a graphical form implies the presentation of historical trend data in the active patient display. This presentation of historical trend data may be seen in some embodiments, both graphically and in alphanumeric text. The historical trend data may be stored, for example, as data 730, 735 in the memory portions 516b, 616b, all of which are shown in
In various embodiments, then, the active patient display for any corresponding dormant patient display may be triggered in any one of three ways. First, the active patient display may be triggered and displayed automatically by the receipt of an alarm signal. Second, the active patient display may be triggered by caregiver selection. Third, the active patient display may be triggered by sensor active data (e.g., galvanic skin resistance, body temperature, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation).
To further an understanding of the presently disclosed technique, two particular embodiments will now by specifically discussed relative to
Note that most alarms are based on set limits and would be based on the active measurements within those limits. For example, the skin temperature of the patient is 37° C. (98.6° F.) for an adult. So, if the infant's measured skin temperature falls to 35° C. (95° F.), the Low Temperature alarm (“TEMP LO”) would activate. Other alarm indicators, for example, Hatch is OPEN would be an alarm type. Air Temperature of the incubator would be based on the Set Point of the closed care environment. For instance, the closed care device is set for 37.5° C. (99.5° F.). If there were a problem with the air temperature measuring something outside of the set point, the alarm would activate.
Referring now to
The transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device is then received (at 1130) at a centralized monitoring station. The central monitoring station is programmed to, in a first state, concurrently provide (at 1140) a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device. The central monitoring station is further programmed to, in a second state, provide (at 1150) on the display device an active patient display for a particular, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
Turning now to
The method 1200 then receives (at 1215) at a centralized monitoring station the transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device. The centralized transmitting station is programmed to, in a first state, concurrently provide (at 1220) a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device. The centralized monitoring station is further programmed to, in a second state, automatically provide (at 1225) on the display device an active patient display for a particular warming therapy device triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display. The active patient display, in this particular embodiment, including: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; and a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
Accordingly, in a first embodiment, a neonatal patient monitoring system comprises a central monitoring system including a display device and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring controller is programmed to: receive a plurality of transmitted patient care data from each of a plurality of warming therapy devices; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a second embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the first embodiment, the active patient display is automatically provided upon receipt of an alarm signal from the particular one of the warming therapy devices.
In a third embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the second embodiment, the active patient display includes: video imagery received from the particular warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a fourth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the first embodiment, the active patient display is provided upon selection of a caregiver.
In a fifth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the first embodiment, the active patient display includes: video imagery received from the particular warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; and received patient care data selected by the caregiver.
In a sixth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the first embodiment, the patient care data includes: video imagery received from the particular warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; and a skin galvanic response of the neonatal patient.
In a seventh embodiment, the neonatal patient monitoring system of the first embodiment further comprises the plurality of warming therapy devices. Each warming therapy device defines a respective care environment and includes a plurality of sensors to capture patient care data when the warming therapy device is in use, the patient care data and a warming therapy device controller programmed to transmit the captured patient care data, The plurality of sensors includes a camera and a microphone. The camera is positioned in the respective care environment and directed on a patient location to capture video imagery of the neonatal patient. The microphone is positioned in the care environment to capture vocalizations of the neonatal patient.
In an eighth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the seventh embodiment, the plurality of sensors includes a galvanic skin response sensor to capture the galvanic electrodermal response of the neonatal patient.
In a ninth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the seventh embodiment, the warming therapy device controller is programmed to: analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal.
In a tenth embodiment, a method for neonatal monitoring, comprises: receiving a plurality of transmitted patient care data from each of a plurality of warming therapy devices; in a first state, concurrently providing a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, providing on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In an eleventh embodiment, in the method of the tenth embodiment, providing the active patient display includes automatically providing upon receipt of an alarm signal from the particular one of the warming therapy devices.
In a twelfth embodiment, in the he method of the eleventh embodiment, providing the active patient display includes providing: video imagery received from the particular warming therapy device; and a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a thirteenth embodiment, in the method of the tenth embodiment, providing the active patient display includes providing the active patient display upon selection of a caregiver.
In a fourteenth embodiment, in the method of the thirteenth embodiment, providing the active patient display includes providing: video imagery received from the particular warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; and received patient care data selected by the caregiver.
In a fifteenth embodiment, the method of the tenth embodiment further comprises sensing the plurality of patient care data by each of the plurality of warming therapy devices and transmitting the patient care data from the warming therapy devices. Sensing the plurality of patient care data includes: acquiring the video imagery from within the care environment; and capturing the neonatal patient's vocalizations from within the care environment.
In a sixteenth embodiment, in the method of the fifteenth embodiment, sensing the plurality of patient care data further includes sensing the galvanic skin response of the neonatal patient.
In a seventeenth embodiment, the method of the fifteenth embodiment further comprises, by each respective warming therapy device: analyzing the captured patient data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmitting an alarm signal.
In an eighteenth embodiment, a neonatal patient monitoring system, comprising a plurality of warming therapy devices and a central monitoring station. Each warming therapy device defines a respective care environment and includes a plurality of sensors and a warming therapy device controller. The plurality of sensors capture patient care data when the warming therapy device is in use. The plurality of sensors include a camera, a microphone, and a galvanic skin response sensor. The camera is positioned in the respective care environment and is directed on a patient location to capture video imagery of the neonatal patient. The microphone is positioned in the care environment to capture vocalizations of the neonatal patient. The galvanic skin response sensor to capture the galvanic electrodermal response of the neonatal patient. The warming therapy device controller programmed to: transmit the captured patient care data; analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal. The central monitoring station includes a display device and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring controller is programmed to: receive the transmitted patient care data and transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular one of the warming therapy devices, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a nineteenth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, the central monitoring controller is programmed to, in the second state, automatically provide on the display device the active patient display, the second state being triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device.
In a twentieth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the nineteenth embodiment, the active patient display includes: the video imagery received from the respective warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a twenty-first embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, the second state includes providing the active patient display is triggered by caregiver selection.
In a twenty-second embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the twenty-first embodiment, the active patient display includes: the video imagery received from the respective warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; and at least a subset of the received patient care data.
In a twenty-third embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, the at least one of the warming therapy devices is an incubator.
In a twenty-fourth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, the camera and the microphone are integrated into a single device.
In a twenty-fifth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, the camera and the microphone are integrated into the respective warming therapy apparatus.
In a twenty-sixth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the eighteenth embodiment, each warming therapy device includes a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors includes: one or more environmental condition sensors to sense environmental parameters of the care environment; one or more patient condition sensors to sense patient condition parameters; and one or more warming therapy device condition sensors to sense operational state of the warming therapy device.
In a twenty-seventh embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the twenty-sixth embodiment, the environmental condition sensors sense humidity, oxygen levels, or air temperature, or a combination thereof.
In a twenty-eighth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the twenty-sixth embodiment, the patient condition sensors sense blood oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), non-invasive blood pressure (“NIBP”), end-tidal carbon dioxide (“etCO2”), or body temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or motion, or a combination thereof.
In a twenty-ninth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the twenty-sixth embodiment, the warming therapy device condition sensors sense power to the warming therapy device, warming therapy device on, warming therapy device closed, or combinations thereof.
In a thirtieth embodiment, a method for neonatal patient monitoring comprises: for each of a plurality of warming therapy devices, sensing a plurality of patient care data from within a care environment for a neonatal patient, the patient care data including: video imagery of the neonatal patient; audio capture of vocalizations of the neonatal patient; and a galvanic skin response of the neonatal patient; receiving the sensed patient care data at a warming therapy device, the warming therapy device programmed to: transmit the received patient care data; analyze the received patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal; and receiving at a centralized monitoring station the transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device, the centralized monitoring station: in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display.
In a thirty-first embodiment, in the method of the thirtieth embodiment, the central monitoring station in the second state automatically provides on the display device the active patient display, the second state being triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device.
In a thirty-second embodiment, in the method of the thirty-first embodiment, the active patient display includes: the video imagery received from the respective warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a thirty-third embodiment, in the method of the thirtieth embodiment, in the second state, providing the active patient display is triggered by caregiver selection.
In a thirty-fourth embodiment, in the method of the thirty-third embodiment, the active patient display includes: the video imagery received from the respective warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; and at least a subset of the received patient care data.
In a thirty-fifth embodiment, in the method of the thirtieth embodiment, the patient care data includes: one or more environmental parameters of the care environment; one or more patient condition parameters; and one or more operational states of the warming therapy device.
In a thirty-sixth embodiment, in the method of the thirty-fifth embodiment, the environmental parameters include humidity, oxygen levels, or air temperature, or a combination thereof.
In a thirty-seventh embodiment, in the method of the thirty-fifth embodiment, the patient condition parameters include blood oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), non-invasive blood pressure (“NIBP”), end-tidal carbon dioxide (“etCO2”), or body temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or motion, or a combination thereof.
In a thirty-eighth embodiment, in the method of the thirty-fifth embodiment, the warming therapy device condition parameters include power to the warming therapy device, warming therapy device on, warming therapy device closed, or combinations thereof.
In a thirty-ninth embodiment, a neonatal patient monitoring system comprises a plurality of warming therapy devices and a central monitoring station. Each warming therapy device defines a respective care environment and includes a plurality of sensors and a warming therapy device controller. The plurality of sensors capture patient care data when the warming therapy device is in use, the patient care data including video imagery of a neonatal patient and audio data of the neonatal patient's vocalizations. The warming therapy device controller programmed to: transmit the captured patient care data; analyze the captured patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal. The central monitoring station includes a display device and a central monitoring controller. The central monitoring controller is programmed to: receive the transmitted patient care data and transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device; in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, automatically provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular warming therapy device triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display. The active patient display includes: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a fortieth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, each respective dormant patient display includes: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; and the button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations.
In a forty-first embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, at least one of the warming therapy devices is an incubator.
In a forty-second embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, the plurality of sensors for each warming therapy device includes: a camera by which the video imagery is captured, the camera positioned in the care environment and directed at the neonatal patient location; and a microphone positioned in the care environment by which the neonatal patient's vocalizations are captured.
In a forty-third embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the forty-second embodiment, wherein the camera and the microphone are integrated into a single device.
In a forty-fourth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the forty-second embodiment, wherein the camera and the microphone are integrated into the respective warming therapy apparatus.
In a forty-fifth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, the plurality of sensors includes: one or more environmental condition sensors to sense environmental parameters of the care environment; one or more patient condition sensors to sense patient condition parameters; and one or more warming therapy device condition sensors to sense operational state of the warming therapy device.
In a forty-sixth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the forty-fifth embodiment, the environmental condition sensors sense humidity, or oxygen levels, or air temperature, or a combination thereof.
In a forty-seventh embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the forty-fifth embodiment, the patient condition sensors sense blood oxygen saturation, or body temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or patient motion, or blood pressure, or a combination thereof.
In a forty-eighth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the forty-fifth embodiment, the warming therapy device condition sensors sense power to the warming therapy device, warming therapy device on, warming therapy device closed, or door latch status, or warming therapy device setting, or combinations thereof.
In a forty-ninth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, the central monitoring controller is further programmed to, in the first state, provide a plurality of soft key controls by which a caregiver may selectively control information presented on the display device.
In a fiftieth embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, the central monitoring controller is further programmed to, in the second state, provide a plurality of soft key controls in the active patient display by which a caregiver may selectively control information presented on the display device.
In a fifty-first embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, wherein the central monitoring controller is further programmed to, in the first state, provide selected received patient care data in each respective dormant patient display.
In a fifty-second embodiment, in the neonatal patient monitoring system of the thirty-ninth embodiment, the central monitoring controller is further programmed to, in a third state, selectively provide the active patient display on the display device upon selection of the particular warming therapy device by the caregiver.
In a fifty-third embodiment, a method for neonatal monitoring, comprises: for each of a plurality of warming therapy devices, sensing a plurality of patient care data from within a care environment for a neonatal patient, the patient care data including: video imagery of the neonatal patient; and audio capture of vocalizations of the neonatal patient; and receiving the sensed patient care data at a warming therapy device, the warming therapy device programmed to: transmit the received patient care data; analyze the received patient care data for alarm conditions; and if an alarm condition is detected, transmit an alarm signal; and receiving at a centralized monitoring station the transmitted patient care data and the transmitted alarm signals from each warming therapy device, the centralized transmitting station: in a first state, concurrently provide a respective dormant patient display for each warming therapy device on the display device; and in a second state, automatically provide on the display device an active patient display for a particular warming therapy device triggered by receiving an alarm signal transmitted from the particular warming therapy device, the active patient display being larger than the dormant patient display and including: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; a button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations; an identity of the alarm condition; and received patient care data associated with the alarm condition.
In a fifty-fourth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, each respective dormant patient display includes: the video imagery received from each warming therapy device; and the button by which a caregiver may selectively play the neonatal patient's vocalizations.
In a fifty-fifth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the plurality of sensors for each warming therapy device includes: a camera by which the video imagery is captured, the camera positioned in the care environment and directed at the neonatal patient location; and a microphone positioned in the care environment by which the neonatal patient's vocalizations are captured.
In a fifty-sixth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the plurality of patient care data includes: one or more environmental parameters of the care environment; one or more patient condition parameters; and one or more operational states of the warming therapy device.
In a fifty-seventh embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the environmental parameters include humidity, or oxygen levels, or air temperature, or a combination thereof.
In a fifty-eighth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the patient condition parameters include blood oxygen saturation, or body temperature, or skin temperature, or skin galvanic response, or patient motion, or blood pressure, or a combination thereof.
In a fifty-ninth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the warming therapy device condition parameters include power to the warming therapy device, warming therapy device on, warming therapy device closed, or door latch status, or warming therapy device setting, or combinations thereof.
In a sixtieth embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment the dormant patient display in the first state includes a plurality of soft key controls by which a caregiver may selectively control information presented on the display device.
In a sixty-first embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the active patient display in the second state includes a plurality of soft key controls in the active patient display by which a caregiver may selectively control information presented on the display device.
In a sixty-second embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the dormant patient display in the first state includes selected received patient care data in each respective dormant patient display.
In a sixty-third embodiment, in the method of the fifty-third embodiment, the central monitoring controller is further programmed to, in a third state, selectively provide the active patient display on the display device upon selection of the particular warming therapy device by the caregiver.
As used herein, expressions such as “include” and “may include” which may be used in the present disclosure denote the presence of the disclosed functions, operations, and constituent elements, and do not limit the presence of one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In the present disclosure, terms such as “include” and/or “have”, may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but should not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of the addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.
As used herein, the article “a” is intended to have its ordinary meaning in the patent arts, namely “one or more.” Herein, the term “about” when applied to a value generally means within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or in some examples, means plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified. Further, herein the term “substantially” as used herein means a majority, or almost all, or all, or an amount with a range of about 51% to about 100%, for example. Moreover, examples herein are intended to be illustrative only and are presented for discussion purposes and not by way of limitation.
As used herein, to “provide” an item means to have possession of and/or control over the item. This may include, for example, forming (or assembling) some or all of the item from its constituent materials and/or, obtaining possession of and/or control over an already-formed item.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms defined in generally used dictionaries may not be overly interpreted. In the following, details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form or in a schematic view rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise. For example, variations or modifications described with respect to one of the embodiments may also be applicable to other embodiments unless noted to the contrary.
Further, equivalent or like elements or elements with equivalent or like functionality are denoted in the following description with equivalent or like reference numerals. As the same or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference numbers in the figures, a repeated description for elements provided with the same reference numbers may be omitted. Hence, descriptions provided for elements having the same or like reference numbers are mutually exchangeable.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
In the present disclosure, expressions including ordinal numbers, such as “first”, “second”, and/or the like, may modify various elements. However, such elements are not limited by the above expressions. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the elements. The above expressions are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing an element from the other elements. For example, a first box and a second box indicate different boxes, although both are boxes. For further example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
A sensor refers to a component which converts a physical quantity to be measured to an electric signal, for example, a current signal or a voltage signal. The physical quantity may for example comprise electromagnetic radiation (e.g., photons of infrared or visible light), a magnetic field, an electric field, a pressure, a force, a temperature, a current, or a voltage, but is not limited thereto.
Use of the phrases “capable of,” “capable to,” “operable to,” or “configured to” in one or more embodiments, refers to some apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element designed in such a way to enable the use of the apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element in a specified manner. Use of the phrase “exceed” in one or more embodiments, indicates that a measured value could be higher than a pre-determined threshold (e.g., an upper threshold), or lower than a pre-determined threshold (e.g., a lower threshold). When a pre-determined threshold range (defined by an upper threshold and a lower threshold) is used, the use of the phrase “exceed” in one or more embodiments could also indicate a measured value is outside the pre-determined threshold range (e.g., higher than the upper threshold or lower than the lower threshold). The subject matter of the present disclosure is provided as examples of apparatus, systems, methods, circuits, and programs for performing the features described in the present disclosure. However, further features or variations are contemplated in addition to the features described above. It is contemplated that the implementation of the components and functions of the present disclosure can be done with any newly arising technology that may replace any of the above-implemented technologies.
The detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings and is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various example embodiments of the present disclosure. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the examples described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will therefore be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Throughout the present disclosure the terms “example,” “examples,” or “exemplary” indicate examples or instances and do not imply or require any preference for the noted examples. Thus, the present disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63545311 | Oct 2023 | US |
