Abstract: A patient monitor includes least one monitoring device which collects patient data about a patient. A packet generator generates data packets from the patient data collected from the patient. A communication unit transmits the data packets over an Internet protocol (IP) network. The communication unit includes a first transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a first wireless network and a second transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a second wireless network.

Abstract: A patient monitor includes a plurality of monitoring devices which collect data about a patient. An evaluation unit determines the patient's condition from the collected data and generates an alarm if the patient's condition warrants notifying an appropriate medical responder. A communication unit which transmits the alarm to a access point over a hospital Internet protocol (IP) network, the communication device includes a first transmitter for transmitting the alarm using a primary link and a second transmitter for transmitting the alarm using a secondary link in response to the transmission using the primary link failing.

Abstract: When providing wireless communication capability for patient monitoring devices (PMDs) (12) in a hospital environment, the quality of a newly established wireless link is evaluated to ascertain that it is meeting quality thresholds before dropping a previous wireless link. A plurality of new links iteratively can be established and their quality assessed, if previous new network link quality does not meet required quality thresholds, until a new link is established that has a quality equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level. Optionally, two or more links may be maintained that have signal qualities above the predetermined threshold in order to provide link redundancy for highly sensitive patient monitoring applications, such as a link between a critical patient's PMD and a nurses station, to ensure communication there between. In this manner, autonomous generation of link quality assessment reports for use by the other communicating entity or entities is facilitated.

Abstract: A communication method is disclosed, comprising: (i) wirelessly communicating in compliance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol (802.11 QoS) including quality of service extensions between a wireless access point (30) and a station (20) communicating patient data; and (ii) wirelessly communicating in compliance with the 802.11 QoS protocol between a wireless access point (20) and a station (34, 38) communicating content other than patient data. The 802.11 QoS protocol is configured to perform the wireless communicating (i) at a higher priority than the wireless communicating (ii) responsive to an indication (42, 52) that the wireless communicating (i) is communicating patient data, the higher priority providing at least one of faster communication and communication at a lower error rate as compared with the wireless communicating (ii).

Abstract: A patient monitor includes least one monitoring device which collects patient data about a patient. A packet generator generates data packets from the patient data collected from the patient. A communication unit transmits the data packets over an Internet protocol (IP) network. The communication unit includes a first transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a first wireless network and a second transmitter for transmitting the data packets using a second wireless network.

Abstract: A patient monitor includes a plurality of monitoring devices which collect data about a patient. An evaluation unit determines the patient's condition from the collected data and generates an alarm if the patient's condition warrants notifying an appropriate medical responder. A communication unit which transmits the alarm to a access point over a hospital Internet protocol (IP) network, the communication device includes a first transmitter for transmitting the alarm using a primary link and a second transmitter for transmitting the alarm using a secondary link in response to the transmission using the primary link failing.

Abstract: When providing wireless communication capability for patient monitoring devices (PMDs) (12) in a hospital environment, the quality of a newly established wireless link is evaluated to ascertain that it is meeting quality thresholds before dropping a previous wireless link. A plurality of new links iteratively can be established and their quality assessed, if previous new network link quality does not meet required quality thresholds, until a new link is established that has a quality equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level. Optionally, two or more links may be maintained that have signal qualities above the predetermined threshold in order to provide link redundancy for highly sensitive patient monitoring applications, such as a link between a critical patient's PMD and a nurses station, to ensure communication there between. In this manner, autonomous generation of link quality assessment reports for use by the other communicating entity or entities is facilitated.

Abstract: A communication method is disclosed, comprising: (i) wirelessly communicating in compliance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol (802.11 QoS) including quality of service extensions between a wireless access point (30) and a station (20) communicating patient data; and (ii) wirelessly communicating in compliance with the 802.11 QoS protocol between a wireless access point (20) and a station (34, 38) communicating content other than patient data. The 802.11 QoS protocol is configured to perform the wireless communicating (i) at a higher priority than the wireless communicating (ii) responsive to an indication (42, 52) that the wireless communicating (i) is communicating patient data, the higher priority providing at least one of faster communication and communication at a lower error rate as compared with the wireless communicating (ii).