Abstract: The invention features a medical device that measures vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and heart rate) from a patient using at least two optical modules. Each optical module typically features two light sources (red, infrared) and a photodetector. Both optical modules are configured to measure time-dependent signals describing the patient's flowing blood. A processor analyzes the time-dependent signals to determine the patient's vital signs. Once the vital signs are measured, a wireless transmitter in the body-worn device transmits them to an external device. Processing signals from least two optical modules compensates for motion-related artifacts and noise normally present in signals used to determine vital signs from a device featuring just a single optical module.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring blood pressure from a patient that includes: 1) an optical module configured to be worn on the patient's ear and comprising at least one optical source and a photodetector; 2) a calibration source configured to make a blood pressure measurement; and, 3) a processing module configured to: i) receive a first signal from the optical module; ii) receive a second signal from the calibration source; iii) process the first and second signals to generate a calibration table; and iv) receive a third signal from the optical module and compare it to the calibration table to determine the patient's blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring blood pressure from a patient that includes: 1) an optical module featuring systems for measuring signals from the patient, serial communication, and power management; 2) an external computing device configured to attach to the optical module, supply power to the optical module, and receive information from the optical module through the system for serial communication; and 3) an algorithm, operating on the external computing device, that processes information received through the system for serial communication to determine the patient's blood pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for monitoring blood pressure that preferably includes: 1) a blood-pressure monitor featuring a measuring component that generates blood-pressure information and a first short-range wireless component configured to wirelessly transmit the blood-pressure information; 2) a mobile device featuring a chipset that includes i) an embedded second short-range wireless component configured to receive the blood-pressure information; and ii) a long-range wireless component configured to transmit the blood-pressure information over a wireless network; and 3) a computer system configured to receive and display the blood-pressure information.