Modular monitoring device platform with interchangeable modules

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10820843-B2
Application number	US-201615761189-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 22, 2016
Priority date	Sep 23, 2015
Publication date	Nov 3, 2020
Grant date	Nov 3, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating a modular pulse oximeter platform with interchangeable modules. The method comprises selecting a plurality of modules based on a health context and connecting in a serial manner the plurality of modules and a pulse oximeter platform via a plurality of connection means. The pulse oximeter interprets identification numbers from the plurality modules and operates the connected plurality of modules accordingly. Data received from the plurality of modules are associated with each other or with pulse oximeter data.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A modular pulse oximeter platform with interchangeable modules for use with a patient, the modular pulse oximeter platform comprising:
a pulse oximeter including a power source, a remote communication module for communicating with a health network, a processor, a memory, and an ID reader; and
a plurality of modules each having an active subunit, another processor, another memory, and an ID transmitter that transmits an ID number that uniquely identifies the respective module, wherein each active subunit is a physiological sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of the patient, including at least one of a respiration, a pulse, a blood pressure, a temperature, and a pH, of the patient, each of the pulse oximeter and the plurality of modules further comprise one or more connections configured to mechanically, electronically, and electrically connect in a serial manner the pulse oximeter and the plurality of modules, and the connected plurality of modules are customized to a patient, identified by the pulse oximeter, and operated according to predefined operational parameters.

2. The modular pulse oximeter platform with interchangeable modules of claim 1 , wherein the one or more connections of each of the plurality of modules further comprises:
one or more mechanical connections configured to mechanically interlock the module to another of the plurality of modules or the pulse oximeter;
a power communication configured to enable a supply of power from the power source to the module; and
a data connection configured to enable a communication of data among the pulse oximeter and the plurality of modules.

3. The modular pulse oximeter platform of claim 2 , wherein the pulse oximeter is a portable pulse oximeter device configured to measure an oxygen saturation of the patient, while worn on a patient's finger.

4. The modular pulse oximeter platform of claim 3 , wherein the one or more mechanical connections comprise
a first connection located on one side of the modules or the pulse oximeter, and
a second connection located on an opposite side of the module or the pulse oximeter and mechanically interlockable with the first connection.

5. The modular pulse oximeter platform of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of modules are selected from the group consisting of a temperature module, a blood pressure module, a microphone module, a GPS module, a security alert module, an ID module, an accelerometer module, a chemical detection module, an SD card module, and a Bluetooth sensor module.

6. The module pulse oximeter platform of claim 2 , wherein the health network comprises a health network processor, a communication module, an ID database, and a module program database, wherein the module program database stores in a table form the module types and a number of program data files necessary to operate the module types.

7. The module pulse oximeter platform of claim 6 , wherein the ID database comprises one or more ID numbers and one or more module types corresponding to the ID numbers.

8. The module pulse oximeter platform of claim 6 , wherein the health network is a cloud service network.

9. The module pulse oximeter platform of claim 2 , wherein the ID reader and the ID transmitter are wireless communication modules adapted for RFID, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular communication, or other wireless communication technology.

10. The module pulse oximeter platform of claim 2 , wherein the ID reader and the ID transmitter are functions performed by the processors of the pulse oximeter and the plurality of modules, respectively.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Cronin John E
• Huffines Christopher Michael

Classifications

• G16H40/63

  for local operation · CPC title

• A61B2562/227

  Sensors with electrical connectors · CPC title

• A61B2560/045

  with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication · CPC title

• A61B5/02055

  Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature · CPC title

• A61B5/0022

  Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet · CPC title