US 2017/0000347 A1 · VITAL SIGN MONITORING AND CONTROL

Abstract

Systems and methods for non-invasive monitoring of vital signs of a subject use multiple coupling sensors and vital sign sensors in order to determine multiple vital sign states of the subject. The sensors may be carried by support structure such as a wrap, blanket, mattress, cradle, nest and similar structures. Signals generated by the coupling sensors reflect coupling strength and/or reliability between sensors and the patient. Coupling reliability indexes may be determined for each of the temperature sensors and displayed to a user. Positional information/mapping of temperature information can be derived from the coupling sensors, image sensors, and/or the variation of the temperature profile itself over time. The measurements may be used to construct a full-body profile of the subject and provide targeted control of devices that affect vital sign states, such as heating/cooling.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A measuring system for non-invasive determination and control of one or more vital sign states of a subject, the system comprising:

a body of engagement configured to engage with and/or support a subject;
multiple coupling sensors that generate coupling signals conveying electrical, thermal, and/or magnetic coupling information with the subject, wherein the coupling sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
multiple vital sign sensors that generate output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject, wherein the vital sign sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
and
one or more computer processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:
a coupling module configured to determine coupling levels for individual ones of the vital sign sensors based on the coupling signals generated by the coupling sensors;
a vital sign state determination module configured to determine multiple vital sign states of the subject based on the output signals and the determined coupling levels;
and,
a quality control module configured to determine a coupling reliability index based on the coupling levels for the individual ones of the vital sign sensors.

6 more elements

A method of non-invasive determination and control of one or more vital sign states of a subject, the method comprising:

engaging a subject with a body of engagement;
generating, by coupling sensors, coupling signals conveying coupling information with the subject, wherein the coupling sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
generating, by vital sign sensors, output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject, wherein the vital sign sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
and
determining coupling levels for individual ones of the vital sign sensors based on the coupling signals;
determining multiple vital sign states of the subject based on the output signals and the determined coupling levels;
and,
determining a coupling reliability index based on the coupling levels for the individual ones of the vital sign sensors.

5 more elements

A system for non-invasive determination and control of one or more temperatures of a subject, the system comprising:

means for engaging a subject with a body;
means for generating coupling signals conveying coupling information with the subject, wherein the means for generating coupling signals are carried by the body of engagement;
means for generating output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject, wherein the means for generating output signals are carried by the body of engagement;
means for determining coupling levels for individual ones of the means for generating output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject, based on the coupling signals generated by the means for generating coupling signals;
means for determining multiple vital sign states of the subject based on the output signals from the means for generating output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject and the determined coupling levels;
and,
means for determining a coupling reliability index based on the coupling levels for the means for generating output signals conveying vital sign information of the subject.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vital sign monitoring and control

Life of this patent

Vital sign monitoring and control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18