Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-07-03
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
C600S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254551
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring a mechanically transmitted signal based on the organs or vital functions and for processing the results, the apparatus comprising a measuring sensor arrangement comprising one or more measuring sensors and signal processing means for processing sensor signal(s), transmission means for transmitting the signal generated by the measuring sensor arrangement, a data collecting device for receiving and storing the signal transmitted by the transmission means, means for processing the signal stored in the data collecting device and a display or output device for presenting the results of processing.
Apparatuses of the type described above are known, for instance, from WO 86/04497 and German Patent 42 29 073 A1. By means of the apparatus known from WO 86/04497 respiration rate, heartbeat rate and total body movement can be monitored, and on the basis of these facts the amount of calories consumed can be determined. Thus the apparatus is mainly suitable for fitness training and rehabilitation. A strain-gage sensor that is arranged on the band closely fitted around the chest is used as a sensor in the apparatus.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to bring about an apparatus by means of which vital functions can be monitored in a most versatile and accurate manner. This is achieved with the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus being characterized in that the measuring sensor arrangement is arranged to produce signal spectra based on a plurality of vital functions as a single composite signal spectrum, and the means for processing data, stored by the data collecting device, comprise processing software for dividing the signal spectrum generated by the measuring sensor arrangement into a plurality of partial spectra of different physiological origins. Thus for instance, as regards the function of the heart, it is not primarily the heartbeat rate that is monitored by means of the apparatus of the invention, but a graph corresponding to an electrocardiogram is produced, which also shows dysfunctions of the heart, if any. Likewise, as regards the function of the respiratory organs, a partial spectrum representing it discloses coughs, snore and other similar respiratory functions, in addition to respiration rate.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention a sensor arrangement comprising at least one of the following sensor types: capacitive acceleration transducer, EMF diaphragm sensor and strain-gage sensor, and perhaps most preferably one of each, is arranged to fit onto the user's chest without skin contact.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention the sensor arrangement is arranged in connection with a cushion to be placed under the user, the cushion being filled at least partly with fluid medium, and the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor responsive to pressure and communicating with the interior of the cushion, the sensor being preferably a capacitive pressure sensor based on silicon technology.
In accordance with the invention, the composite signal spectrum generated by the sensor arrangement comprises said signals based on a plurality of different vital functions as a single combined signal. Thus the sensor arrangement generates a signal in which all the signals of different origins are incorporated in one signal spectrum. If the sensor arrangement is incorporated in a band fitted onto the user's chest, it may preferably comprise an acceleration transducer, a strain-gage sensor and an EMF diaphragm sensor. The capacitive acceleration transducer with high sensitivity both at low and high frequencies collects information on several different factors, such as movement, position and heart beat of a human being. On the other hand, from the EMF diaphragm sensor, whose electrical conductivity changes in response to pressure, information is obtained both on heart beat and respiration. The straingage sensor for its part gives information mainly on respiration. Particularly with regard to respiration, various coughs and even minor vibrations, such as rate of lungs or bronchi or a similar noise audible by means of a stethoscope, can be detected. The sensor arrangement also reacts to a variety of other functions, such as speech and blowing of the nose.
When separate sensors are used for sensing various physiological parameters, it is possible to mix these signals into one signal as indicated above, but it is not absolutely necessary, since the readings of different sensors can be read sequentially as a time-division signal by means of signal processing means incorporated in the sensor arrangement. The sampling frequency of different sensors is naturally so great that the signal of each sensor can be separated on a time-division basis from the composite signal in full correspondence with a continuously measured signal.
A significant advantage of the apparatus of the invention is that despite accurate measurement results the measuring sensor arrangement can be arranged to fit onto the chest without skin contact. This kind of measuring without skin contact, in other words measuring carried out in practice over the clothing, simplifies and speeds up the fitting of the measuring band considerably, which has a major importance considering the use of the apparatus of the invention, for instance, in various situations of emergency.
Since vital functions can be monitored on a long-term basis by means of the apparatus of the invention, it is particularly well suited, in conjunction with diagnosing coughs of different types as well as asthma and similar respiratory diseases, for collecting and processing data in such a manner that the diagnosis of a disease can be effected on the basis of this data. Various sleeping disorders, such as apnea and snoring, can be readily detected.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the sensor arrangement is arranged to react to pressure inside a seat or bed cushion to be placed under the user. In this way the patient's vital functions can also be monitored on the basis of mechanical vibrations emanating from the patient into the cushion, if only a sensor, sufficiently sensitive to pressure, is available. A capacitive pressure sensor based on silicon technology is well suited for this kind of pressure sensor, since it can be arranged to form a part of even a very small measuring sensor arrangement due to its miniature size.
In the above, and also in the following, the apparatus of the invention is described with a human being as a measuring object, but the invention is also fairly well suited as such for monitoring the vital functions of animals, naturally provided that the evaluation apparatus comprises processing software designed for this purpose, i.e. for the animal concerned.
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Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Instrumentarium Corp.
Lacyk John P.
Wingood Pamela
LandOfFree
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