Cellular architecture and data transfer methods for real time patient monitoring within medical facilities
US6773396B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/904
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A real time patient monitoring system uses a cellular architecture to monitor ECG signals and other physiologic data of patients, including ambulatory patients. The system includes wireless telemeters that attach to and transmit the physiologic data of respective patients. The telemeters communicate bi-directionally with ceiling-mounted RF transceivers, referred to as “VCELLs,” using a wireless TDMA protocol. The VCELLs forward packets of physiologic data received from the telemeters to patient monitoring stations on a LAN. The VCELLs are spatially distributed throughout the medical facility to provide multiple cells or zones of coverage. As a patient moves throughout the medical facility, the patient's telemeter connects to, and disconnects from, specific VCELLs to maintain connectivity to the LAN. The telemeters and VCELLs also implement a patient location tracking process for monitoring of the locations of individual patients.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.