Abstract: A system and method for monitoring patient variables in a wireless manner via a patient worn monitoring device is disclosed. The patient monitoring device is wearable and connects to a variety of sensors with at least one microphone for voice communications. The device connects to a wireless network and thence to the Internet for transmitting data to a Host for access by a medical care provider. The medical care provider communicates with the patient-wearable device via the Internet and the wireless network to send instructions to the patient-wearable monitoring unit and to communicate via voice with the patient. The medical care provider can also flexibly reconfigure the device to change collection parameters. When an alarm limit is exceeded as detected by the sensors, the data are transmitted to the Host computer for use by the medical care provider, thereby allowing full mobility to the patient wearing the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning sensors relative to one another and anatomic features in a non-invasive device for measuring and monitoring multiple physiological variables from a single site uses an earpiece incorporating a shielded pulse oximetry sensor (POS) having a miniaturized set of LEDs and photosensors configured for pulse oximetry measurements in the reflectance mode and located in the earpiece so as to position the POS against a rear wall of an ear canal. The earpiece also includes a thermopile of no larger than 7 mm. in diameter located on the earpiece to so as to position the thermopile past a second turn of an external auditory meatus so as to view the tympanic membrane. The thermopile includes a reference temperature sensor attached to its base for ambient temperature compensation.

Abstract: The present invention is to a method and apparatus to allow a portable patient data monitor to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) for transmission, such as over the Internet. A small electrical conductive patch is added to a sensor which is currently placed in the ear. This patch is used as a “dry” electrode to sense one side of the electrocardiogram signal generated within the subject. A second electrical conductive patch is added to the enclosure of the patient data monitor or other instrumentation package attached or located in an area near the waist of the patient. Wires or wireless interconnections are used to connect these two patches to an electrocardiogram amplifier.

Abstract: A small sensor and instrument interface communication module provides the data acquisition circuitry required to gather various signals from sensors for a variety data, such as physiologic data from the human body or data from remote non-medical monitoring instrumentation, using analog, serial, and parallel digital inputs. The microprocessor and memory of the module are employed to condition those signals for interface to a variety of possible digital cellular phone or other wireless communication modules which are used to transmit these data into the digital cellular network for distribution on the Internet.

Abstract: A patient management system includes a programmable patient monitor for monitoring and recording a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, a plurality of physiological condition sensors and a communications unit. The plurality of patient monitoring sensors are electrically coupled to the programmable patient monitor. Each sensor detects a particular physiological condition of the patient, such as core temperature, ECG electrodes for providing an electrocardiogram and blood oximetry sensors. The patient monitor is small and compact and easily worn by the patient during his normal at home activities. To provide communication with a caregiver via a remote controller at the caregiver's location, a communications unit is disposed in the facility.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring patient variables in a wireless mode via a patient worn monitoring devices. The patient worn monitoring device connects to a variety of bio-sensors with at least one microphone for voice communications. The pertinent worn device connects to a wireless network and thence to the internet for transmitting voice and data to a health care provider. The health care provider communicates with the patient worn device via the internet and the wireless network to send instructions to the patient worn monitoring unit and to communicate via voice with the patent. The health care provider can also flexibly reconfigure the patent worn monitoring device to change collection parameters for the bio-sensors worn by the patient. When an alarm limit is exceeded an detected by the bio-sensors, it is transmitted to the health care provider over the wireless network and thence over the internet thereby allowing full mobility to the patient wearing the device.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring patient variables in a wireless manner via a patient worn monitoring device is disclosed. The patient monitoring device is wearable and connects to a variety of sensors with at least one microphone for voice communications. The device connects to a wireless network and thence to the Internet for transmitting data to a Host for access by a medical care provider. The medical care provider communicates with the patient-wearable device via the Internet and the wireless network to send instructions to the patient-wearable monitoring unit and to communicate via voice with the patient. The medical care provider can also flexibly reconfigure the device to change collection parameters. When an alarm limit is exceeded as detected by the sensors, the data are transmitted to the Host computer for use by the medical care provider, thereby allowing full mobility to the patient wearing the device.

Abstract: The patient worn monitoring device wirelessly monitors patient variables and connects to a variety of sensors with at least one microphone and speaker for voice communications. The patient-worn device connects to a wireless network and thence to the Internet for transmitting data to a Host for access by a health care provider. The health care provider communicates with the patient worn device via the Host over the Internet and the wireless network to send instructions to the patient-worn monitoring unit and to communicate over the wireless network via voice with the patient. The health care provider can also flexibly reconfigure the patent-worn monitoring device to change data collection parameters for the sensors worn by the patient. When an alarm limit is exceeded and detected by the sensors, it is transmitted over the wireless network and thence over the Internet to the Host computer for use by the health care provider.

Abstract: A positioning device for the accurate placement of biomedical sensors. The positioning device has a template frame and one or more template arms. The template frame is able to be referenced to at least one anatomical site upon the human body, such as the sternal notch or the navel. Template arms extend from the template frame to the electrode positioning site. The length and angle of the template arms corresponds to the distance from the template frame to the electrode positioning site. The template arms reference the electrode positioning sites with respect to the template frame. The template frame references the template arms with respect to anatomical sites upon the human body.

Abstract: An optical body cavity probe (110, 310, 1200, 1300) is provided with a disposable flexible comformable sheath (120) having an optical window (220), or a disposable rigid sheath (320, 1210, 1310) having an optical window (420). The electronic system includes optical sources for generating the illuminating electromagnetic energy, filters or spectrum analyzers for isolating returned wavelengths of interest, and a computer for processing the returned wavelengths of interest to determine the tissue properties of interest as well as to calibrate the system. For calibration purposes, a removable calibration body (510, 910, 1010, 1220, 1330, 1430) bearing a fluorescence pattern resides on the outside of the optical window (500, 900, 1000, 1210, 1310, 1420) so as to be in the field of view of the probe when the sheath is installed over the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring multiple physiological variables of a patient at a single site on the patient can be used to facilitate assessment of the patient's well being during medical surgery as well as during ambulatory monitoring, home monitoring, procedure monitoring and similar situations. The apparatus has an infrared (IR) temperature sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor and a communication circuit for outputting information produced from the pulse oximeter and information produced from the infrared temperature measuring device. These elements are integrally placed within a mold or plug made to fit the ear of the patient.