U.S. patent application number 11/716513 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for health data collection tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spacelabs Medical, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph C. Basta, Robert Boyer Koenig, William Wekell.
Application Number | 20080221930 11/716513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39742555 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080221930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wekell; William ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Health data collection tool
Abstract
A portable health data tool permits a health care provider to
assimilate and display a plurality of health care data from a
patient and to associate the data with patient identifying
information all stored in a memory contained in the tool. The tool
includes a code reader for reading patient information into the
tool from a bar code or other coded tag. The tool is associated
with a plurality of different data assimilation devices stored with
the tool's housing, including but not limited to, instruments for
measuring, temperature, blood pressure, two-finger or lead wire ECG
data, pulse oximetry data, sound data and picture data obtained
from an optional digital camera integrated within the housing. The
tool further includes data receiver and/or transmitter ports, which
may be wireless or cable ports, for transferring data between the
health data tool and a separate computer system that stores patient
records.
Inventors: |
Wekell; William; (Bellevue,
WA) ; Koenig; Robert Boyer; (Redmond, WA) ;
Basta; Joseph C.; (Duvall, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
SUITE 3400, 1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SEATTLE
WA
98101
US
|
Assignee: |
Spacelabs Medical, Inc.
Issaquah
WA
|
Family ID: |
39742555 |
Appl. No.: |
11/716513 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0044 20130101;
A61B 5/02438 20130101; A61B 2560/0456 20130101; A61B 2560/0475
20130101; A61B 5/022 20130101; A61B 5/145 20130101; A61B 5/02055
20130101; A61B 2560/0431 20130101; A61B 2560/0295 20130101; A61B
5/332 20210101; A61B 5/002 20130101; A61B 5/6838 20130101; A61B
2560/0406 20130101; A61B 5/6826 20130101; G16H 10/40 20180101; A61B
7/04 20130101; G16H 10/65 20180101; G16H 10/60 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/3 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. A health data tool for use by a healthcare provider, comprising,
a housing configured to be of a shape, size and weight to permit
the housing to be held in a hand of a human healthcare provider; a
code reader associated with the housing configured to read at least
one of information pertaining to the patient's identity and
information pertaining to at least one of a drug or device used by
the patient; a plurality of input ports for different data
assimilation devices associated with the housing for inputting
different health care data obtained from a patient into the health
data tool; a display screen configured to display the health care
data obtained from the data assimilation devices; and at least one
of a data transmitter and a data receiver port configured to at
least one of transmit and receive, respectively, the health care
data between the health data tool and a remote device separate from
the health data tool.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the code reader is a bar code
scanner that reads bar code information.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the code reader is a radio
receiver that that receives a radio signal encoding the
information.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the code reader is an optical
character recognition device that reads character information.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the code reader recognizes a
pattern of dots encoding the information.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an upper
portion that houses the display screen and a lower portion
downwardly extending from the upper portion that defines a handle
dimensioned to fit within the hand of the health care provider.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a plurality
of storage compartments to store the plurality of data assimilation
devices associated with the housing.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the housing includes a plurality
of doors providing access to the storage compartments.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein at least one of the storage
compartments includes a compartment for holding a blood pressure
sleeve.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the blood pressure sleeve storage
compartment is configured as a slot within the housing.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one data assimilation
devices is removably attachable to the housing by a spring actuated
latch.
12. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electronic memory
associated with the housing to store the health care data.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the electronic memory stores
health care data for a plurality of patients.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data
transmitter port and the data receiver port is an infrared data
port.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data
transmitter port and the data receiver port is a radio frequency
data port.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data
transmitter port and the data receiver port a computer cable
port.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein the remote device is a
computer.
18. The device of claim 1 wherein the remote device is a keyboard
and the data receiver port receives data transmitted from the
keyboard.
19. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data
assimilation devices includes a self contained microprocessor to
convert signal data obtained from the data assimilation devices
into the health care data.
20. The device of claim 1 wherein the health data tool includes a
microprocessor associated with the tool separate from the data
assimilation device that is configured to convert signal data
obtained from the data assimilation devices into the health care
data.
21. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of data
assimilation devices includes at least two devices selected from
the group consisting of a thermometer, a pulse meter, an oximeter,
a blood pressure measurement device, a stethoscope, a finger
electrocardiogram unit, a lead wire electrocardiogram wire set, a
digital camera, and a microphone.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the thermometer is a tympanic
temperature type thermometer.
23. The device of claim 21 wherein the thermometer is a thermistor
type thermometer.
24. The device of claim 1 further including a plurality of input
keys associated with health data tool, the input keys configured to
at least one of: input patient identity information obtained from
the code reader, select a type of health care data to be obtained,
review a type of health care data obtained, display a type of
health care data obtained, receive a transmission of data from a
remote transmitter, transmit data to a remote receiver, upload
information from remote computer and download information to a
remote computer.
25. The device of claim 1 wherein the health data tool includes a
camera associated with the housing and configured to record a
digital photograph.
26. The device of claim 1 wherein the display is configured to
display a picture stored in a digital picture file.
27. The device of claim 1 wherein the display screen is configured
to display a wave form.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the wave form depicts at least
one of an electrical cardiogram and a pulse.
29. The device of claim 1 wherein the health data tool includes a
microphone associated with the housing and configured to record
digital sound information.
30. The device of claim 29 wherein the health data tool includes a
speaker associated therewith configured to emit an audible sound
from at least one of: sound received by the microphone or sound
digitally recorded in a sound file.
31. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing stores an air
compressor configured for operating a blood pressure cuff.
32. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing stores a hand pump
configured for operating a blood pressure cuff.
33. The device of claim 1 wherein the health data tool is powered
by a rechargeable battery and the housing further includes a power
port associated therewith configured to pass a charge from a
battery charger to the rechargeable battery.
34. A docking station configured to dock the device of claim 32
comprising a charging port for charging the battery and optionally
including a data port for transferring data between the health data
tool and the remote device.
35. The device of claim 1 wherein the health data tool further
includes an attachment device associated with the housing to attach
the health data tool to a storage location.
36. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment device includes a
hook configured to hang the health data tool on a belt.
37. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment device includes a
clamp configured to mount the health data tool on at least one of a
pole or rail.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the field of health care devices
for gathering, displaying and transmitting health care data
concerning the vital signs of a patient, particularly to portable
nursing devices for gathering such data, and still more
particularly to portable devices that provide for assimilating a
plurality of different types of health care data, including patient
identity, using a single integrated device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a medical facility such as a hospital, clinic or doctor's
office, the creation and maintenance of patient files is critical
to recording vital data and history of a patients treatment.
Patient files include patient identifying information as well as a
variety of health care data associated with the patient.
Identifying information is routinely taken at intake of a patient
and typically includes, for example, name, age, sex and insurance
information, which is used to establish the base file for the
patient. In addition, routine health care data such as temperature,
pulse, blood pressure and the like are typically hand recorded at
or near intake and included in a hard-copy paper file. The file is
typically physically transferred to a patient examination room
where further health care data and notes may be entered by a health
care provider and manually recorded into the file.
[0003] If the patient is to be admitted to a hospital, an
identification bracelet is typically created to be worn on the
patient's wrist for follow-up care, and the patient's file is
transferred to the patient's bedside. At the bedside, the file is
manually updated upon periodic visits by a physician or nurse who
manually records notes and other health care data into the file.
Prescription and diagnosis information is also recorded in the
file. In instances before or after a significant medical procedure
such as birth or surgery, basic vital signs such as temperature,
pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oximetry,
electrocardiogram (ECG) or other data pertaining the patient's body
may be continuously monitored during the patient's stay.
Specialized semi-portable monitoring instruments for obtaining and
monitoring this type of health care data are part of a hospital's
inventory of equipment that is assigned to individual patients on
an as-needed basis and rolled into a patient's room on carts or
roller stands. A large variety of semi-portable monitors are
commercially provided by numerous manufacturers and
distributors.
[0004] Fully portable devices that do not require a cart or stand
are also commercially available. One example of a fully portable
data health care data device provided by WelchAllyn is the SPOT
VITAL SIGNS.TM. device that allows a health care provider to take
non-invasive blood pressure, pulse, oximetry, and arterial pressure
data, and which may be configured with a printer for recording the
data. On routine visits, or "rounds," hard copy recordings of
health care data obtained from such devices may be periodically
printed and included in the files to create a vital signs history.
Alternatively, the health care provider may manually record such
data in the file with time and date information.
[0005] In the past, day-to-day patient intake and monitoring
information was exclusively hand recorded in a paper file by a
variety of health care provider personnel. Today, health care
institutions are increasingly moving toward recording health care
information in electronic patient files rather than in hard-copy
files. In typical electronic file systems, patient files are
maintained on a centralized computer system and patient information
and health care data are entered from a variety of distributed
smart terminals positioned in intake rooms, examination rooms and
hospital rooms. The smart terminals serve as a substitute for the
hard copy files, permitting the variety of health care providers to
enter and display a variety of health care information from a
variety of locations without need for physically transferring the
hard copy file.
[0006] Another improvement in recent years is that monitoring
devices have been equipped with telemetry equipment to wirelessly
upload health care data through a network of receivers that are
positioned remotely from the monitors. In certain situations, such
as with ambulatory patients requiring continuous monitoring of
specific vital signs, or with ambulance patients being transported
to a hospital under emergency situations, small, portable monitors
with self-contained power and data telemetry units are used to
continuously record and transmit health care data to a centralized
computer system. Commercially available examples of such portable
monitors are exemplified by the Micropaq.TM. and Propaq.TM.
monitors provided by WelchAllyn. These monitors display ECG
waveforms, heart rate, invasive or non-invasive blood pressure,
temperature, pulse oximetry and respiratory data. In certain
optional configurations, these devices can wirelessly transmits
such data over a local area wireless radio frequency network
(FlexNet.TM.). In other optional configurations, data assimilated
by the monitors may be transmitted via infrared data
transmission.
[0007] While the provision of centralized electronic patient record
files and portable health care data monitors equipped with
telemetry options has improved the ease and efficiency of
collecting, transmitting and storing health care data, there
remains a need in the art to equip a health care provider with
options for integrating the collected data with patient
identification information, and for providing for additional types
of data that can be collected using an inexpensive and fully
portable device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a portable, multifunctional health
data tool for use by a healthcare provider. The health data tool
includes a housing configured to be of a shape, size and weight to
permit the housing to be held in a hand of a healthcare provider.
It further contains a code reader associated with the housing
configured to read coded information, such as information
pertaining to the patient's identity or information pertaining to a
drug or device used by the patient. The tool further includes
multiple input ports for different data assimilation devices
associated with the housing for inputting different health care
data obtained from a patient into the health data tool. A display
screen configured to display the health care data obtained from the
data assimilation devices is also provided. Finally, the tool
includes a data transmitter and a data receiver port to permit the
health care data and other information to be transferred between
the health data tool and a remote device that is separate from the
tool.
[0009] In one aspect, the code reader is a bar code scanner that
reads bar code information. In another aspect, the code reader is a
radio receiver that that receives a radio signal encoding the
information. In another embodiment, the code reader is an optical
character recognition device that reads character information. In
yet another embodiment, the code reader recognizes a pattern of
dots encoding the information.
[0010] In another aspect, the housing comprises an upper portion
that houses the display screen and a lower portion downwardly
extending from the upper portion that defines a handle dimensioned
to fit within the hand of the health care provider. The housing may
include a plurality of storage compartments to store the plurality
of data assimilation devices associated with the housing. A
plurality of doors providing access to the storage compartments may
also be provided to enclose the associated data assimilation
devices within the health data tool. In most embodiments, at least
one of the storage compartments should include a compartment for
holding a blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure cuff storage
compartment may, for example, be configured as a slot within the
housing. In other embodiments, at least one of the data
assimilation devices, such as the blood pressure cuff, is removably
attachable to the housing by a spring actuated latch. The housing
may be configured to store an air compressor for operating the
blood pressure cuff, or the blood pressure cuff may be manually
operated by a hand pump.
[0011] The health data tool further includes an electronic memory
associated with the housing to store the health care data. The
electronic memory may be configured to store health care data for a
plurality of patients, typically in a database format.
[0012] In the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way
of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe
substantially similar components throughout the several views.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, electrical,
and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present invention. The following detailed description
is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope
of the present invention is defined only by the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an exemplary embodiment
of the health data tool of the invention including exemplary data
assimilation devices associated therewith.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of an exemplary embodiment
of the health data tool of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a health data tool of the invention illustrating
storage compartments incorporated into the health data tool.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
depicting device attachment clips.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of an exemplary embodiment
of a health data tool of the invention and a docking station for
use therewith.
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B are isometric views of a belt attachment
hook and a pole mount, respectively, associated with one embodiment
of the health data tool of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a health data tool of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a health data tool of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a health data tool of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a health data tool of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] As used herein, "health care data" is the meaningful form of
data, including at least in-part, data commonly known as "vital
signs" that pertain to the health of a patient. Typical types of
health care data include, but are not limited to, temperature,
pulse, blood O.sub.2 level, electro cardiogram data, blood
pressure, respiratory rate, appearance (such as may be recorded by
a camera), sound information (such as obtained by a stethoscope)
and the like.
[0024] The term "patient identifying data" refers to data that can
be used to identify a patient. Typical types of patient identifying
data includes name, age, sex, and insurance information.
[0025] The term "signal data" refers to the raw signal that is
received from a health care data assimilation device before the raw
signal is converted into meaningful health care data by the action
of a microprocessor. Typically, signal data is in the form of an
amplitude or a frequency of a voltage, a current, or optical
analogues of the same, which has been transduced from a detector
that detects changes in pressure, light, sound, temperature or
other measurable attribute.
[0026] The term "associated with" as used with respect to a
component part of the health data tool (described in more detail
hereafter) means that the component part is physically stored in,
attached, or coupled or connected to the health data tool. The
attachment or connection may be fixed or removable.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate front and rear isometric views,
respectively, of one embodiment of a health data tool 10 of the
invention. The health data tool 10 includes a housing 12 that
houses a plurality of data assimilation devices 40, 42, 44, 48, 50,
57 associated with health data tool 10. The housing 12 includes a
lower handle 14 portion, which in advantageous embodiments, extends
longitudinally downward with respect to a front display surface 13
of the housing 12. The housing 12 is configured to be of shape,
size and weight to permit the health data tool 10 to be held in one
hand of health care provider. In typical embodiments, the housing
12 is made of a plastic material and occupies less than about 2 or
less than about 1 cubic feet of space and weighs less than about 10
pounds, less than about 5 pounds or less than about 3 pounds. The
downwardly extending handle 14 and overall configuration of the
health data tool 10 permits a health care provider to hold the
health data tool 10 in one hand while manipulating data
assimilation devices with the other hand and simultaneously
observing data that is displayed on a display screen 22 located in
an upper portion 15 of the housing 12. The data assimilation
devices 40, 42, 44, 48, 50, 57 and the display screen 22 are
described in more detail hereafter.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the downwardly extending handle 14
is configured with an access door 9 that provides access to a
hollow compartment 11. The hollow compartment 11 may be used to
store one or more of the data assimilation devices. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the hollow compartment 11 in the
handle 14 encloses batteries 13 used to power the health data tool
10 and, optionally, one or more of the data assimilation devices
associated therewith. As depicted in FIG. 1, the hollow compartment
11 also houses a small air compressor 16 used to supply air through
an air line 17 for automatic operation of a non-invasive blood
pressure cuff 44. Of course, the batteries or air compressor 16 may
be located elsewhere in the housing 12 so long as suitable
electrical connections or tubing is provided to power the health
data tool 10 and channel air flow to the air line 17. The air
compressor 16 is not needed when the blood pressure cuff 44 is
configured for manual inflation using a bulb.
[0029] The health data tool 10 includes a code reader 20 associated
with the housing 12 to read information pertaining to the patient.
In advantageous embodiments, the code reader 20 is integrated into
the housing 12, although in other embodiments the code reader 20
may detachably coupled to the housing 12. The function of the code
reader 20 is to read coded information associated with or
pertaining to the patient. The coded information typically includes
personal information that identifies the patient and may also
include information pertaining to drugs or devices that are to be
administered or otherwise used in treating or monitoring the
patient.
[0030] In one exemplary embodiment, the code reader 20 is a
standard bar code reader. Typically, during an intake procedure at
a health care facility a patient to be treated or admitted is
supplied with an identity tag 46, usually in the form of wrist
bracelet, that includes the name of the patient, the date of
admission, the administering health care provider or other
information such as insurance provider and the like. Some or all of
this information may be encoded in a bar code 47 on the identity
tag 46. The bar code reader 20 permits this identifying information
to be rapidly and accurately entered into the health data tool
10.
[0031] The patient may also be prescribed a drug therapy that
includes a name for the prescribed drug, a dosage and frequency of
administration. In certain cases the patient may bring a drug
container to a health care provider upon admission to a health care
facility to assist in diagnosis or treatment, while in other cases
the health care provider at the facility may prescribe a drug
treatment to the patient. Such prescription information, or parts
thereof, may also be encoded in a bar code associated with the
container that contains the drug. The bar code reader 20 permits
the health care provider to enter the relevant drug information
into the health data tool 10. Similarly, an admitted patient may be
assigned usage of various medical devices from an inventory of
devices provided by the health care facility. These medical devices
often include a bar code to identify the particular device for
tracking, performance monitoring and inventory purposes. The bar
code reader 20 allows the health care provider to associate a given
medical device with a given patient identification in a memory
record to facilitate these purposes.
[0032] While the bar code reader 20 may be the most universally
adopted form of a code reader 20, it is understood that that many
other embodiments of the code reader 20 may be associated with the
health data tool 10 to provide the same or similar functions.
Another embodiment of the code reader 20, for example, is a "dot"
reader that scans a pattern of dots that encode information.
Another embodiment is an optical character recognition scanner that
scans an image in bit form and then converts the scanned image into
alphanumeric characters. Another embodiment is a magnetic strip
reader that extracts information magnetically encoded on a data
strip. Yet another embodiment is a radio frequency (RF) receiver
that receives electromagnetic waves transmitted from an RF
identification tag in which information regarding the subject is
encoded. Sill another embodiment of the code reader 20 is a
hologram reader that detects spectral or diffraction patterns
emitted by an illuminated hologram and extracts information encoded
therein form the pattern of spectral or diffraction patterns
detected. Accordingly, the skilled person will understand that the
code reader 20 can be embodied in many forms and with many
variations, as long as the code reader 20 permits information to be
extracted from a tag, card or other identifying device associated
with a subject patient (or thing).
[0033] Turning now to the data assimilation devices 40, 42, 44, 48,
50, and 57, in various embodiments, the data assimilation devices
associated with the health data tool 10 include at least two
different instruments for measuring health care data from a
patient. Example data assimilation devices include, but are not
limited to, a pulse oximeter (SPO2 meter) 42 for measuring pulse
rate and oxygen saturation of the blood, a thermometer such as
tympanic thermometer 40 for measuring a patient's temperature, a
non-invasive blood pressure device 44 that includes a blood
pressure cuff for measuring blood pressure, an electronic
stethoscope 48 for detecting interior sounds from the patients
body, and a "two finger" electrocardiogram device 57 or an ECG lead
wire set 50 for recording cardiac activity thorough finger
electrodes. In some advantageous embodiments, the health data tool
10 also includes a digital camera 28 as a data assimilation device
integrated within the housing 12 for recording digital pictures of
the patient.
[0034] The housing 12 of the health data tool 10 also includes one
or more device input ports 27, 29, 31 33, and 34 configured to
receive data output from the data assimilation devices. 40, 42, 44,
48, 50, and 57. In certain examples, the input ports 29, 31 and 33
are particularly configured to receive output from the data
communication lines of particular data assimilation devices such as
the stethoscope 48, the ECG 50 and the blood pressure cuff 44,
respectively. Blood pressure input port 33 may be further
configured for delivering air pressure to the blood pressure cuff
44 through air flow line 17 and to receive data from the blood
pressure cuff 44 through data input line 19. The input ports 34 may
also be configured to receive data output from the ECG lead wire
set 50. The input port 27 is a standard two-way input/output
computer interface port that receives a standard computer data
communication cable, such as for example, a USB cable. Various
commercially available data assimilation devices, exemplified by
the SPO2 oximeter 42 depicted in FIG. 1, may be pre-configured or
adapted to output data over such standard computer cables. One
advantage of the two-way input/output port 27 is that it can be
used to receive data from the data assimilation devices in one
operational mode of the health data tool 10, and used as a data
transmitter or receiver port in another operational mode where the
health care data is uploaded or downloaded into a remote computer
system as will be described in more detail hereafter.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 12 also includes one
or more storage compartments 16 and 19 for storing the data
assimilation devices associated with health data tool 10. The
storage compartment 16 is an open slot configured for storing the
blood pressure cuff 44 folded or rolled into a size that slips into
the slot 16. The storage compartment 19 is configured to store one
or more smaller data assimilation devices, exemplified in FIG. 1 by
SPO2 pulse oximeter 42. The interior of storage compartments 16 or
19 may optionally be equipped with clamps, hooks, Velcro.TM. or
other latching mechanism 21 for securely holding the data
assimilation device within the storage compartment 16 or 19. In
addition, or alternatively, the storage compartment 19 may be
configured with a door 18 for enclosing the interior of the
compartment 19 with the stored data assimilation device. The door
18 in various embodiments, may be sliding door, a swinging door, or
a removable door.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates another configuration of the health data
tool 10 and depicting other locations of various storage
compartments 19a and 19b with corresponding access doors 18a and
18b, which are located on side edges of the upper portion 15 of the
housing 12. Storage compartment 19c with sliding door 18c is
located on the upper surface 13 of the health data tool along with
the display screen 22. Storage compartment 19d with corresponding
access door 18d is located on the back side of downwardly extending
handle 14. Accordingly, the storage compartments 16 and 19 may be
located anywhere in the housing 12 where there is room to
accommodate a compartment without making the overall dimensions of
the health data tool 10 too large to be comfortably handled by a
health care provider.
[0037] The storage compartments 16 and 19 represent one example
embodiment of means to associate the data assimilation devices with
the health data tool 10 of the invention. Other means are also
available. For example FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative
means for associating data assimilation devices 44 and 87 with the
health data tool 10. In this embodiment, a thermistor type
temperature probe 87 that is separate from the tympanic thermometer
40 is releasably inserted into a receptacle 89 situated in the
handle 14 of the housing 12. The temperature probe 87 is secured
within, and released from, the receptacle 89 by means of closing
and opening a latch mechanism 90 provided on the bottom of the
handle 14. Also in this embodiment, instead of using a slot 16 or
compartment 18 to store the blood pressure cuff 44, the cuff 44 is
rolled and banded with an elastic or Velcro TM band 79. The band 79
is attached to a flat spring clip 81 configured to be inserted into
a spring receptacle 83 that securely holds the blood pressure cuff
44 in place on the handle 14 of the health data tool 10 by the
tension of the spring clip 81 against the wall and ledge of the
spring receptacle 83. The blood pressure cuff 44 is released from
the spring receptacle 83 by operation of spring release mechanism
85, which compresses the flat spring clip 81 thereby releasing the
tension of the spring from the walls and ledge of the
receptacle.
[0038] Referring again to FIG. 1, in some advantageous embodiments,
the health data tool 10 optionally includes a microphone 54 for
collecting sound information. The sound information may include for
example, oral notes made by a health care provider or patient or
sounds emitted from the patients body, such as the sound of a
heartbeat, organ function or flow of blood. Specialized microphones
54a or 54b may be configured with the stethoscope 48 or the blood
pressure device 44 to amplify the sound of the patient's heartbeat,
organ function or blood flow. A speaker 56 and associated amplifier
(not shown) may optionally be associated with the health data tool
to audibly emit the sounds received from the microphones 54, 54a or
54b.
[0039] The front surface 13 of the health data tool 10 also
includes input keys 24 for selecting various functions to be
executed by the health data tool 10. The input keys 24 may be
touch-screen type input keys as depicted in FIG. 1 or conventional
toggle input keys 24 integrated into the housing 12 separately from
the display screen 22, as depicted in FIGS. 3-6. The display screen
22 is configured to display a plurality of different types of
health care data obtained by the data assimilation devices and to
display commands or status information selected by the input keys
24. In various embodiments the display screen 22 displays wave form
data, alpha numeric data and/or image data.
[0040] In an example use, input key 24a is depressed to select a
particular data assimilation device to acquire health care data. A
name or other designation of the selected device is initially
displayed on the display screen 22 to verify the selection.
Toggling of the input key 24A sequentially displays the name of
different input devices. The selected device is activated by the
health care provider and the health data tool 10 is set to acquire
and display the selected type of data by depressing enter key 24B.
Alternatively, the input ports 27, 29, 31 and 33 may be configured
with a plug-and-play type of switch to automatically set the health
data tool for acquiring data from a particular data assimilation
device when that device is plugged into the appropriate input port.
The health care provider then withdraws the necessary data
assimilation device from its storage location in the housing 12
and, in the case of data assimilation devices such as the blood
pressure cuffs 44, the SPO2 pulse oximeter 42 or finger ECG
electrodes 57, dons the instrument on the patient. Alternatively,
in the case of data assimilation devices such as the stethoscope
48, thermometer 40, or camera 28, the health care provider situates
the instrument in the appropriate location to acquire the health
care data.
[0041] Once donned or situated, the health care provider presses
input button 24c to begin acquiring the health care data. In the
case of a camera 28, the selection of that device activates trigger
25 to function as a shutter release so that when the trigger 25 is
depressed, the camera takes a photo. In any case, the acquired data
is displayed on display screen 22 in the appropriate form for the
selected device. For example, if the selected data assimilation
device is the two-finger ECG 57 or ECG lead wire set 50, then the
wave form of the electrocardiogram signal is displayed on the
display screen 22. If the selected data assimilation device is a
blood pressure device 44, then the systolic and diastolic readings
are displayed in alphanumeric form on the display screen 22.
Similarly, if the selected data assimilation device is a
thermometer 40, then an alphanumeric representation of temperature
is displayed as it is being collected. If the selected device is
the camera 28, then the recorded digital image is displayed on the
display screen.
[0042] The health data tool 10 is optionally equipped with a
speaker 56 associated with the housing 12. If the selected data
assimilation device is a stethoscope 48, then the sound detected
through the stethoscope microphone 54a is amplified and emitted
through the speaker 56 to permit the health care provider to listen
to the sound and readjust the position of the stethoscope as
needed. Optionally, when the stethoscope 48 is selected, depressing
input key 24c activates trigger 25 to cause the health data tool 10
to operate in record mode so that if a recording is desired,
depressing the trigger 25 a first time begins the process of taking
a digital sound recording and depressing the trigger 25 a second
time ends the recording. Similarly, if the selected data
assimilation device is a voice record, then depressing input key
24c activates microphone 54 to receive voice information and
activates trigger 25 to function in record mode. Depressing the
trigger 25 a first time begins the process of taking a digital
voice recording and depressing the trigger 25 a second time ends
the voice recording. In certain embodiments, the health data tool
may also include a microprocessor programmed with voice recognition
software to translate the sound recording into alphanumeric
text.
[0043] When the data is a sound recording, ECG output, or other
time-dependent data, such data is digitally recorded for a time
period that in one embodiment, is selected by the health care
provider. When such time dependent data assimilation devices are
selected, input key 24E may be used to select the time period of
the recording to store. In an alternative embodiment, the time
period of the recording is the same as the time period that results
from depressing the input trigger 25 on and off as described above.
Alternatively, the health data tool 10 may be pre-preprogrammed to
record and/or store particular types of health care data for a
predetermined increment of time. For example, the health data tool
10 may be pre-programmed to record and store ECG data for a period
of 60 seconds and to record and store stethoscope data for a period
of 10 seconds.
[0044] The operation of the various input keys 24A-24E and trigger
25 described above is for exemplary purposes only. One of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the input keys 24 can be
programmed to perform the functions of the health data tool 10 in a
variety of configurations. For example, even a single input key 24
can be configured with programming to select functions from a menu
of options displayed on the display screen 22. Similarly, the
functions of the trigger 25 can be accomplished using an input key
24. Accordingly, any arrangement of input keys 24 that allows the
health care provider to operate the health data tool 10 to perform
any of the functions described herein is suitable for the
invention.
[0045] Furthermore, the embodiments of the health data tool 10 are
described above as functioning in a sequential data assimilation
mode, whereby one type of data assimilation device is activated at
a time. In other advantageous embodiments, multiple data
assimilation devices can be selected to simultaneously acquire
different types of health care data, in which case the health data
tool 10 functions as a multimeter, simultaneously acquiring and
displaying a plurality of different data. In such embodiments,
multiple devices are selected by sequentially depressing select
input key 24a and enter key 24b. The display screen 22 initially
displays each selected device in a list when entered. In one
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, when acquire input key 24c is
depressed, the display screen 22 is activated to display the
different types of data on divided portions of the same display
screen 22. Alternatively, multiple screens 22 are used to display
different data on different types of screens. In such embodiments,
simple alphanumeric data may be displayed on simple low resolution
LED display screens, while more information intensive data such as
wave form data or image data is displayed on a field emission,
plasma, or other type of high resolution display screen.
[0046] In advantageous embodiments, the health data tool 10 is also
equipped with an electronic memory 60 to store patient information
and the health care data assimilated through the various data
assimilation devices associated with the health data tool 10. As
depicted in FIG. 1, the memory 60 is shown as a removable memory
card, such as a flash memory card, that is inserted into memory
slot 61. However, it is understood that the health data tool 10 may
be configured with another type of memory such as conventional
electronic memory 60 integrated within the housing 12. In an
example operation, depressing store data input key 24d functions to
store the health care data in the memory 60. Alternatively, the
health data tool 10 may be programmed to automatically store the
data in memory 60 when acquisition is complete. In an advantageous
embodiment, the data is stored in a record structure associated
with the patient identification information acquired using code
reader 20. In certain embodiments, date and time information is
automatically provided in the record, and time information is
supplied from a clock (not shown) associated with the health data
tool 10.
[0047] In further advantageous embodiments, the memory 60 stores a
plurality of health care data records for a plurality of patients
in a database structure. In such embodiments, the health care
provider can acquire multiple records from multiple patients, or
for the same patient, over the course of a shift and later upload
the recorded information into a centralized database on a remote
computer 80, as depicted in FIG. 5, that stores patient records as
will be described more fully hereafter.
[0048] In certain advantageous embodiments, the health data tool 10
is also equipped with one or more data transmission devices 21
and/or data receiver devices 26. In one embodiment, the data
transmitter 21 or receiver 26 device is a wireless data
transmission device. Example wireless data transmission and
receiver devices suitable for the invention include, but are not
limited to, infrared and radio frequency transmitters and
receivers. The data transmitter 21 is used to upload data stored in
the memory 60 of the health data tool 10 into the remote computer
system 80 via transmission of the data to remote infrared data or
RF receiver. The data receiver 26 is used to receive an input of
data into the health care tool 10 from a remote wireless data
transmitter. Such remote transmitters and receivers are typically
situated in individual rooms where the patient is located, in which
case the data can be transmitted or received simultaneously in a
given patient's room. Alternatively, these remote transmitters and
receivers may be located in a central location where multiple data
records for multiple patients may be uploaded or downloaded in a
single session. Data transmission or reception is accomplished
either automatically or by selecting a transmit or receive function
from one of the input keys 24, which in certain embodiments,
activates trigger 25 to function to initiate data transfer.
[0049] Another embodiment of a data transmission and receiver
device is the computer input/output port 27. An appropriate data
communication cable is attached to the input/output port 27 and to
an input/output port for the central computer system. An advantage
of using a standard computer interface cable is that is adaptable
for use with any modifications, upgrades or other changes that are
made to the health data tool 10 or the remote computer system
80.
[0050] Data transfer to the remote computer 80 may also be
accomplished using docking port 51. The docking port 51 is
specifically configured to plug the health data tool 10 into a data
transfer port 53 situated in a docking station 65 as depicted in
FIG. 5. The docking station 65 has a power supply cord 67 and
outputs to a data transmission line 69 for transferring data
between the remote computer system 80 and the data tool 10. In
addition, the docking station 65 may include a battery recharging
port 70 adapted to fit into recharging receptacle 71 in the health
data tool 10 for recharging the batteries 13 housed therein. The
docking station 65 may also include a keyboard data receiver port
39, which may be an infrared data port or cable type of port.
Textual data may then be entered and stored into memory in the
health data tool 10 via keyboard 38 that transmits the data either
through the wireless receiver 21 associated with the health data
tool 10 or through the data receiver port 39 associated with the
docking station 65. In an exemplary practice, input key 24e is
toggled to select a patient record stored into memory 60. Input
select key 24a is toggled to select "text" data. The health data
tool 10 is then activated to receive data entered from the keyboard
38, which is displayed in text format on screen 22 and ultimately
transmitted to the remote computer system 80 with the other patient
record data stored in the memory 60 of the health data tool 10.
[0051] The electronics required to operate the health data tool 10
are located within the housing 12. The electronics include a
microprocessor that is programmed to perform the various functions
described above for the health data tool 10. The operating
electronics contains conventional busses, clocks, and logic
necessary for communication between the microprocessor, the various
data assimilation devices and the memory. The operating electronics
also include the required circuitry for operating the display
screen 22 responsively to the data output.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the data assimilation devices
associated with the health data tool 10 contain separate
microprocessors for converting the raw signal detected by
transducers in the data assimilation devices into meaningful health
care data. In these embodiments, only the converted health care
data is input into the health data tool 10, thereby simplifying the
electronics and lowering the cost of manufacturing the health data
tool 10. These embodiments are adaptable for a wide variety of data
assimilation devices now in existence or yet to be devised. In
other embodiments, one or more microprocessors housed within the
health data tool 10 are configured to perform the signal to data
conversion functions of the data assimilation devices. In these
embodiments, all or at least a portion of the electronics needed to
perform the functions of the various data assimilation devices is
also contained within the health data tool. Each of the example
data assimilation devices described herein are well known to those
of ordinary skill in the art, as is the circuitry required to
perform the signal to data conversion functions of the devices.
[0053] The health data tool 10 of the invention is a versatile tool
that is primarily meant to be used for portable applications, such
as in taking patient data during rounds. However, the health data
tool 10 may also be used for longer term monitoring. To facilitate
both portability and long term usage, the health data tool may
optionally be configured with a belt hook 91 and/or a pole mount 95
illustrated in FIG. 6. The belt hook 91 may be advantageously
located in the handle 14 of the health data tool 10 and is used to
conveniently attach the health data tool 10 to a belt worn by the
health care provider. For long term monitoring, the pole mount 95
allows the health data tool to be securely mounted on a standard
medical device pole 93 positioned by the patients bed.
[0054] The overall structural configuration of the health data tool
10 can be implemented in numerous other forms as exemplified in
FIGS. 7-10. FIG. 7 illustrates an "L" shaped configuration where
the downwardly extending handle 14 is positioned at one end of the
upper portion of the housing and perpendicular to the front surface
13 of the health data tool 10. The slot 16 for storing the blood
pressure cuff 44 is positioned beneath the front surface 13 of the
housing between the display 22 and the downwardly extending handle
14. FIG. 8 illustrates a variation on the "L" shaped configuration
where a cylindrical blood pressure cuff compartment 16A is attached
to a back surface opposite the front surface 13 of the housing 12.
FIG. 9 and FIG. 3 illustrate "spearhead" configurations where the
downwardly extending handle 14 has an upper surface that is
continuous with the front surface 13 of the housing and upper
surface of the housing containing the display 22 is flared at a
medial position to define a junction between the handle 14 and the
upper portion of the housing 12. FIG. 10 illustrates a "bent-T"
shaped configuration where the downwardly extending handle 14
extends downwardly at an acute angle relative to the upper surface
13 of the health data tool 10.
[0055] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the
following claims.
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