Abstract: A patient is monitored using a monitoring apparatus including a remote monitoring unit associated with the patient and having a sensor that measures a physiological characteristic of the patient, a central unit, and a communications device which selectively establishes a communications link between the remote monitoring unit and the central unit. The remote monitoring unit obtains a monitored data set for the patient, analyzes the monitored data set to obtain a derived data set from the monitored data set, and determines from the derived data set that communication with the central unit is required. A communications link is established with the central unit, and the remote monitoring unit transmits to the central unit an initially transmitted data set related to the monitored data set.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a remote monitoring unit with a sensor unit in bidirectional wireless communication with a monitor unit. Information is transmitted bidirectionally between the sensor unit and the monitor unit. The monitor unit may inform the sensor unit that transmitted data has been corrupted, that the distance between the units is becoming too large, that transmission signal strength may be altered, that interference requires a change in transmitting frequency, or that attention is needed by the patient to the monitor unit.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: A patient is monitored using a monitoring apparatus including a remote monitoring unit associated with the patient and having a sensor that measures a physiological characteristic of the patient, a central unit, and a communications device which selectively establishes a communications link between the remote monitoring unit and the central unit. The remote monitoring unit obtains a monitored data set for the patient, analyzes the monitored data set to obtain a derived data set from the monitored data set, and determines from the derived data set that communication with the central unit is required. A communications link is established with the central unit, and the remote monitoring unit transmits to the central unit an initially transmitted data set related to the monitored data set.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with and monitoring the operation of a device implanted within a patient. A transceiver capable of being implanted within a patient provides a communication interface between an implanted medical device and a monitor external to the patient's body. The external monitor can communicate with a remote monitoring center over a communication network. The external monitor also provides control signals to the implanted device via the transceiver unit. The transceiver apparatus is capable of two-way communication between the implanted device and the external monitor. The transceiver apparatus is also capable of detecting actions performed by the implanted device and physiological signals directly from the patient's body. Thus, the transceiver apparatus provides a means for determining whether an implanted medical device is operating properly. The transceiver apparatus provides a way to remotely reprogram one or more implanted medical devices.

Abstract: A patient is monitored by establishing a current warning limit for a physiological characteristic of the patient, providing a sensor for the physiological characteristic, and measuring a measured value of the physiological characteristic of the patient using the sensor. A revised warning limit is selected responsive to at least one of the steps of providing and measuring. The revised warning limit is then typically substituted for the current warning limit. The current warning limit serves to trigger some action in the event that the measured value of the physiological characteristic is not within an acceptable range defined by the current warning limit.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a remote monitoring unit with a sensor unit in bidirectional wireless communication with a monitor unit. Information is transmitted bidirectionally between the sensor unit and the monitor unit. The monitor unit may inform the sensor unit that transmitted data has been corrupted, that the distance between the units is becoming too large, that transmission signal strength may be altered, that interference requires a change in transmitting frequency, or that attention is needed by the patient to the monitor unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing care to a patient, comprising a patient care device having a number of configuration databases stored in a memory in the device. Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating limits, rule sets and/or operating features that collectively define an operating environment, or personality, of the device. Selection of a specific configuration database preferably is based at least in part upon patient-specific information obtained from any location in a distributed hospital network. Examples of such patient-specific information include patient age or size, patient medical characteristics, a location of the patient or a location of the care device. In a preferred embodiment, programming a patient care device to deliver a drug to a patient entails activating a configuration database and scanning a machine-readable drug label identifying a particular protocol stored in the activated database.

Abstract: A patient is monitored using a monitoring apparatus including a remote monitoring unit associated with the patient and having a sensor that measures a physiological characteristic of the patient, a central unit, and a communications device which selectively establishes a communications link between the remote monitoring unit and the central unit. The remote monitoring unit obtains a monitored data set for the patient, analyzes the monitored data set to obtain a derived data set from the monitored data set, and determines from the derived data set that communication with the central unit is required. A communications link is established with the central unit, and the remote monitoring unit transmits to the central unit an initially transmitted data set related to the monitored data set.

Abstract: A patient is monitored by establishing a current warning limit for a physiological characteristic of the patient, providing a sensor for the physiological characteristic, and measuring a measured value of the physiological characteristic of the patient using the sensor. A revised warning limit is selected responsive to at least one of the steps of providing and measuring. The revised warning limit is then typically substituted for the current warning limit. The current warning limit serves to trigger some action in the event that the measured value of the physiological characteristic is not within an acceptable range defined by the current warning limit.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a modular patient care system provides patient monitoring and the supply of therapeutic requirements. Specifically, the system is comprised of an interface unit and a plurality of patient functional units. The interface unit provides an interface between the user and the system, and may be configured and adapted to provide different levels of functionality. Interface units with different levels of functionality may be interchanged so as to provide greater flexibility, safety, and cost effectiveness. Each interface unit contains interface ports for the transfer of information such as drug libraries, system configuration values, and event history. The functional units are internally programmed and controlled so as to provide a high level of system modularity, and require only power and interfacing functionality from the interface unit.

Abstract: A dual source parenteral infusion system includes a primary controller which controls the flow rate of a parenteral solution, a display which displays parameters associated with the delivery of a primary solution, and pushbuttons for entering solution delivery parameters into the controller. The primary controller communicates with a secondary infusion module which is programmed to deliver solution from a secondary source, with the flow rate being controlled by the primary controller. The secondary infusion module includes a display for displaying parameters associated with the delivery of the secondary solution and a drop detector, and mounts about a drip chamber for the secondary solution. The module may also include pushbuttons for entering fluid delivery parameters for the secondary solution into the module.