Claims
- 1. A system for monitoring health parameters of an ambulatory subject, comprising:
a network, comprising:
a computer; a remote node accessing the computer; a data storage device receiving and storing data acquired by the system; and a data analysis means in the computer for analyzing acquired data; a physiological monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to produce a physiological parameter measurement of the subject and transmit a first signal corresponding to the physiological parameter measurement via the computer to the data storage device; a behavioral and cognitive monitoring subsystem coupled to the network, being operative to produce a behavioral and cognitive parameter measurement of the subject and transmit a second signal corresponding to the behavioral and cognitive parameter measurement via the computer to the data storage device; a personal tracking subsystem, operative to produce a tracking signal corresponding to the identity and location of the ambulatory subject and transmit the tracking signal to the computer; and wherein
the data analysis means is operative to associate the tracking signal with the first signal and with the second signal to form data records of the parameter measurements of the subject.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor measures a physiological parameter of the subject irrespective of subject cooperation.
- 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor measures a behavioral and cognitive parameter of the subject irrespective of subject cooperation.
- 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a facility having a defined multi-room space about which each of a plurality of subjects can freely move; a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the defined space; and a tracking subsystem transmitter associated with each subject.
- 5. The system of claim 4, in which the presence, identity and movement of the subject are sensed by a proximate one of a plurality of subject locating sensors distributed throughout the defined space, the proximate sensor sending a corresponding tracking signal via the computer to the data storage device.
- 6. A system for monitoring a physiological parameter of an ambulatory subject, comprising:
a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; a personal tracking device, operative to produce a tracking signal corresponding to the identity and location of the ambulatory subject and transmit the tracking signal to the computer; parameter measuring means for measuring a physiological parameter of a subject, the measuring means residing in an object or fixture in a defined area in which the ambulatory subject is present; signal generating means for generating a parameter signal corresponding to the physiological parameter measurement; means for transmitting the parameter signal from the signal generating means via the computer to a data storage device; and means for creating a data record by associating the parameter signal with the tracking signal.
- 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the parameter measuring means functions irrespective of subject cooperation.
- 8. The system of claim 6, further comprising chronology identifying means for associating a chronological identifier with each signal corresponding to a physiological parameter measurement.
- 9. A computer method for monitoring a health parameter of an ambulatory subject within a defined environment, the method comprising:
providing a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; providing a plurality of detectors positionable within the defined space, each member of the plurality of detectors coupled to the computer and capable of detecting a health parameter of a subject; measuring passively a health parameter of a subject and generating a signal corresponding to the measured parameter value; creating a data record by associating the signal with subject identity; and storing the data record in a record uniquely associated with the subject.
- 10. A computer readable medium containing instructions adapted to cause a computer to perform the method of claim 9.
- 11. The method of claim 10, wherein subject identity is determined by a spatial monitoring device producing signals corresponding to the identity and location of the subject.
- 12. The method of claim 9, wherein storing the signal further comprises storing a chronological identifier in the record.
- 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising analyzing a plurality of stored signals in the record temporally to provide a trend for the monitored health parameter of the associated subject.
- 14. The method of claim 12, wherein analyzing a plurality of stored signals temporally further includes producing a histogram for each health parameter, using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers, to indicate a trend.
- 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
providing a predetermined value range for a signal corresponding to the health parameter of the subject; comparing the parameter signal of the data record to the predetermined value range; and generating an alert when the parameter signal corresponding to the measured health parameter is outside the predetermined value range.
- 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
providing a predetermined value range for signals corresponding to multiple health parameters of the subject; comparing parameter signals of multiple data records to the respective predetermined value ranges; and generating an alert when each of the parameter signals corresponding to the measured health parameters are outside the predetermined value ranges.
- 17. A system for passively monitoring a subject's behavioral and cognitive health status, comprising:
a network-coupled computer with a data storage device and a data analysis means; a spatial monitoring device, operative to produce a signal corresponding to the identity and location of the ambulatory subject and transmit the signal to the computer; a passive medication compliance device, operative to produce a signal corresponding to accessing a medication by a subject and transmit the signal to the computer; a first interactive physiological parameter measurement device, operative to produce a signal corresponding to measurement of a physiological parameter of the subject and transmit the signal to the computer; a sensor embedded in an article of regular and ordinary use by a subject, operative to produce a signal corresponding to use of the article by a subject and transmit the signal to the computer; a nocturnal activity monitoring system, operative to produce a signal corresponding to restlessness of a subject and transmit the signal to the computer; and data analysis means for analyzing signals produced by the above system components.
- 18. The system of claim 17, the spatial monitoring device comprising:
a transmitter worn by the subject; a plurality of receivers spatially distributed throughout the defined monitoring area; and signal generating means for generating a signal corresponding to a transmission received by a member of the plurality of spatially distributed receivers from the transmitter, the signal identifying and locating the subject.
- 19. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of receivers is uniquely identifiable by the data storage means.
- 20. The system of claim 18, wherein a plurality of said transmitters are worn by a plurality of said subjects, each transmitter transmits a subject identification code unique said subjects, so that each subject can be located by proximity to one of said receivers.
- 21. The system of claim 17, further comprising a chronological tagging means for tagging each signal with a chronological identifier.
- 22. The system of claim 17, further comprising environmental input logging means for logging changes input by the subject to a heating, ventilation and cooling system.
- 23. The system of claim 17, wherein the system monitors a plurality of subjects.
- 24. A system for monitoring frequency and intensity of movement by a subject during sleep, comprising:
a sleeping surface upon which the subject rests; a plurality of force sensors coupled to the surface, each force sensor being operative to develop a potential corresponding to an application of force by the subject and to communicate the potential as a data signal; and a data storage device for storing a plurality of data signals.
- 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the force sensors are positioned so as to detect a force applied along a vertical axis.
- 26. The system of claim 24, further comprising an analysis means for comparing the data signals.
- 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the analysis means uses a plurality of potentials to discriminate among x-, y- and z-axis movement of the subject while upon the sleeping surface.
- 28. A method for monitoring frequency and intensity of movement by a recumbent subject, comprising:
providing a surface upon which the subject rests; providing a plurality of force sensors coupled to the surface, each member of the plurality of force sensors being operative to develop a potential corresponding to an application of force to that member, the plurality of force sensors being spatially positioned such that a load applied downward on the sleeping surface is differentially sensed by each member of the plurality of force sensors; differentially sensing by each of the plurality of force sensors changes in force, the changes in force corresponding to movement of the subject upon the surface; providing the potentials, together with chronological identifiers associated therewith, as movement data to a data analysis means; and analyzing the movement data.
- 29. The method of claim 28, wherein analyzing the data includes determining trend data using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers.
- 30. The method of claim 29, wherein analyzing the data further includes producing a histogram using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers.
- 31. The method of claim 28, wherein analyzing the data includes using potentials from the plurality of force sensors to discriminate among x-, y- and z-axis movement of the subject while upon the surface.
- 32. (New) A movement monitoring system suitable to monitor a recumbent subject, comprising:
a resting apparatus structured to support the subject; a plurality of force sensors coupled to the resting apparatus and positioned to generate potentials corresponding to applications of force on the apparatus; a personal tracking subsystem configured to determine a subject identity from a detected identity signal corresponding to subject identity; a processor having a data storage device coupled thereto; and a data analyzer operative to associate the tracking signal with the potentials to form data records.
- 33. (New) The system of claim 32, wherein the force sensors are positioned so as to detect a force applied along a vertical axis.
- 34. (New) The system of claim 32, wherein the data analyzer uses a plurality of potentials to discriminate among x-, y- and z-axis movement of the subject while upon the sleeping surface.
- 35. (New) A method for monitoring frequency and intensity of movement by a recumbent subject, comprising:
providing a surface upon which the subject rests; providing a plurality of force sensors coupled to the surface, each member of the plurality of force sensors being operative to develop a potential corresponding to an application of force to that member, the plurality of force sensors being spatially positioned such that a load applied downward on the sleeping surface is differentially sensed by each member of the plurality of force sensors; differentially sensing by each of the plurality of force sensors changes in force, the changes in force corresponding to movement of the subject upon the surface; providing the potentials, together with chronological identifiers associated therewith, as movement data to a data analysis means; and analyzing the movement data.
- 36. (New) The method of claim 35, wherein analyzing the data includes determining trend data using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers.
- 37. (New) The method of claim 36, wherein analyzing the data further includes producing a histogram using the stored signals and associated chronological identifiers.
- 38. (New) The method of claim 35, wherein analyzing the data includes using potentials from the plurality of force sensors to discriminate among x-, y- and z-axis movement of the subject while upon the surface.
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 09/706,327, filed Nov. 3, 2000, which in turn claimed priority to provisional U.S. Serial No. 60/163,709, filed Nov. 5, 1999.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60163709 |
Nov 1999 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09706327 |
Nov 2000 |
US |
Child |
10358458 |
Feb 2003 |
US |