Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Cardiovascular
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-07-24
Layno, Carl H. (Department: 3762)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Cardiovascular
C128S904000, C600S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264614
ABSTRACT:
This specification contains a microfiche appendix consisting of two microfiche sheets having 72 frames of computer program listings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to systems and methods for generating and transferring medical and other data. A specific implementation includes a remote heart monitoring method.
Many industries use real-time information, but the medical field is one in which such information is particularly critical. In hospitals, for example, patients may have their biological functions or conditions continuously monitored so that any significant change can be immediately detected and addressed by appropriate personnel. Such monitoring includes generating the information and transferring it to where it is to be used.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,255 to Albert et al. discloses transmitting medical data, for example, through a paging network to a pager receiver connected to a computer, such as a palmtop computer held by a physician. In one example, a patient is connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to generate ECG information that is processed and transmitted through the paging network to the receiver and attached computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,285 to Albert et al. discloses another communication system for conveying ECG data or other biomedical waveform data between a patient and an attending physician's location. The patient employs a HEART CARD™ device from Instromedix, Inc., or the like, which converts the patient's ECG signal into a frequency modulated audio signal that may then be analyzed by audio inputting via a telephone system to a selected hand-held computer device with integrated microphone and audio system. The computer device functions to digitize, record and demodulate the frequency modulated signal for presentation and viewing on the hand-held computer. The audio signal can also be input directly into a personal computer (PC) via a standard personal computer microphone. The audio signal can be input directly into a PC through a phone line connection via a standard “voice-capable” modem, for example. The stored ECG audio signal can be retransmitted via telephone, either wireline or wireless. At a receiving end, a programmed hand-held computer can be used to receive the audio FM biomedical signal for digitization, recording and demodulation for viewing. Such computer can be one with integrated microphone, audio analog to digital converter, digital to analog converter, speaker, and central processing unit with memory for performing various computational, data storage and signal processing tasks.
Despite previously disclosed or implemented systems, there is still the need for a novel and improved system and method for generating and transferring medical (or other) data, especially a system and method which enable a patient to communicate with a medical care provider in real time virtually from anywhere. Preferably such a system and method should be able to communicate globally, such as via the Internet. Such a system and method should be inexpensive, simple, and easy-to-use. This includes use of a computer without having to purchase or manually install a specialized computer application program or any special hardware. Such system and method should be relatively inexpensive both for the patient or other input user and the medical care provider or other recipient to use (e.g., minimal equipment requirements, no long distance telephone tolls). Such system and method should quickly (ideally, in real time) provide accurate data from the input user to the recipient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providing a novel and improved system and method for generating and transferring medical and other data. For example, the system and method permit the monitoring of biological functions and conditions of a plurality of patients and the reporting of the resulting data to respective medical care providers. In a particular implementation, the present invention provides for remote heart monitoring.
In a preferred embodiment, a device that can be manipulated by a patient senses some function or condition of the patient. One example is a small, inexpensive, hand-held heart monitor that a patient can hold against his or her chest; when used, the device outputs an audible signal responsive to the beating of the heart, such as the electrocardiogram. A computer that can be operated by the patient runs a program that processes an electric signal generated in response to the audible signal as received through a microphone connected to the computer. The computer can send resulting data signals over a computer communication network and preferably over a global communication network such as the Internet. Using a plurality of the foregoing components, any number of patients that can access the computer communication network can quickly, easily, inexpensively, and accurately provide real-time information about their personal medical condition to their personal medical care providers. The real-time information can also be used locally such as by the individual during exercise or simply while trying to monitor or modulate the sensed condition (e.g., to lower heart rate, blood pressure, or stress).
One definition of the system for generating and transferring medical data of the present invention comprises: means for sensing a biological function or condition; and means, communicating with the means for sensing, for transferring a response to the sensed biological function or condition over the Internet.
In accordance with another definition of the present invention, the system comprises a sensor used by a human user to sense a function or condition of the user's body. It also comprises a personal computer located with the sensor. The personal computer has a microphone connector and analog to digital conversion means which are communicated with the sensor such that a digital processing circuit of the personal computer receives from the analog to digital conversion means a digital electric signal derived from an analog electric signal received through the microphone connector in response to the user's body function or condition sensed by the sensor. The personal computer is programmed to transfer data representative of the received digital electric signal over a computer communication network contemporaneously with the sensor sensing the user's body function or condition. This system can further comprise a recipient computer located at a medical facility and connected to communicate with the computer communication network, wherein the recipient computer is programmed to receive the data transferred over the computer communication network and to provide a visible representation of the sensed body function or condition and to store the data in a searchable database. The system can comprise a recipient computer located at a data communication service provider facility and connected to communicate with the computer communication network, wherein the recipient computer is programmed to receive the data transferred over the computer communication network and to transmit in response thereto another signal to an end user.
Still another definition of the present invention for a system for generating and transferring medical data comprises: a sensor to provide an acoustical signal in simultaneous response to a biological function or condition; a microphone, located with the sensor, to receive the acoustical signal as the acoustical signal is provided from the sensor; and a computer connected to the microphone and adapted to transfer over the Internet, in real-time response to the microphone receiving the acoustical signal, electric signals representative of the received acoustical signal. In one embodiment the computer includes a personal computer programmed with a web browser and a medical data acquisition and transmission program. The medical data acquisition and transmission program can be downloaded from an Internet site accessed using the web browser.
The system of the present invention
Albert David E.
Reiter Mac L.
Rieger Carl J.
Slaven Rik
Data Critical Corporation
Layno Carl H.
McAfee & Taft
LandOfFree
System and method for generating and transferring medical data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for generating and transferring medical data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for generating and transferring medical data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2464610