111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20050075542Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Goldreich
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0075542 Al
`Apr. 7, 2005
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC
`MONITORING OF THE HEALTH OF A USER
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Ra mi Goldreich, HaAyin (IS)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`A nthony Castorina
`G E E hrlich
`Sujte 207
`2001 J efferson Davis Highway
`A rlington, VA 22202 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/433,623
`
`(22) Per Filed:
`
`Dec. 21, 2001
`
`(86) Per No.:
`
`t>C'f/lLOl/Oll87
`
`Rela ted U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/258,042, filed on Dec.
`27, 2000.
`
`1 00~
`
`110
`
`PROCESSING UNIT
`
`Publication C lassification
`
`Int. C I.7
`.................. ..................................... A61B 5/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. C l. . ............................................................. 600/300
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`A system and method for automatically monitoring at least
`one physiological function of the user, without active inter(cid:173)
`vention by the user, in a non-invasive maooer. Such moni(cid:173)
`toring may be used to detect a deterioration in the health of
`the user. Preferably, the system according to the present
`invention features at least one physiological sensor for
`measuring the physiological parameter of the user to obtain
`the measurement of a physiological function , a local pro(cid:173)
`cessing uni t for extracting medical information from the
`physiological measurement, and a maio server for process(cid:173)
`ing the medical information in order to evaluate the health
`of the user. Such an evaluation is preferably performed by
`comparing medical information which has been obtained
`from a plurality of physiological measurements. Optionally
`and more preferably, the user is alerted if tbe evaluation
`detects a deterioration in at least one physiological f11nction.
`
`17
`
`112
`
`CELLULAR PHONE
`
`VOICE OR SMS
`
`1J6
`
`120
`DATA
`COMM. PORT
`116
`
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`SERVICE
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`
`COMMUNICATION AND
`VISUALIZING UNIT
`
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`FIG.l
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`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 7, 2005 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2005/0075542 Al
`
`~102
`
`210
`
`200
`
`---200
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`FIG.2
`
`003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 7, 2005 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2005/0075542 Al
`
`102~
`
`300~
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`" '-110
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`
`004
`
`

`

`US 2005/0075542 Al
`
`Apr. 7, 2005
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC
`MONITORING OF THE HEALTH OF A USER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a method and
`system for automatically monitoring the health of a user
`wilb at least o ne measuring device, and in particular, to such
`a system and method in which the measurements are per(cid:173)
`formed automatically without !be intervention of the user.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
`
`[0002) Many ctifferent types of diseases are preventable or
`at least treatable if early detection of one or more symptoms
`o r aspect of the disease is possible. Such early detectio n is
`currenlly performed by requiring the s ubject to receive
`regular examinations by a doctor, such as an an nual exami(cid:173)
`nation for example. However, even annual examinations
`may not be sufficiently frequent in order to detect early signs
`of disease, yet requiring more frequent examinations could
`result in reduced compliance of the subject and increased
`cost.
`
`(0003) One example of a disease for which more frequent
`monitoring could be useful is cardiac ctisease. Early detec(cid:173)
`tion of symptoms of cardiac disease, such as an increase in
`blood pressure, decrease in overall cardiac functi on, and/or
`development of a cardiac arrhythmia for example, could
`result in earlier and more effective treatment.
`
`[0004) As is well known in the background art, moni toring
`a subject for one or more symptoms of heart disease is
`primarily based on the measurement of the vital signs of !be
`subject, such as heart beat, the pattern of carctiac function
`such as arrhythmia, heart rate variability, ECG measure(cid:173)
`ments, blood pressure, and optionally also body temperature
`and respiration parameters, at regular intervals. These mea(cid:173)
`surement(s) are performed in o rder to ensure that I be blood
`pressure level, heart beat rate and/or other aspects of cardiac
`function remain within tbe normal area.
`
`[0005) However, in the present heallh care system it is not
`possible for financial and practical reasons for a person
`specialized in treating heart disease to personally monitor
`continuously tbe beallb of a subject. Therefore, as previ(cid:173)
`ously described, the subject must be examined periodically
`by mectical personnel. However, periodic examinations may
`not be performed with s ufficient frequency to detect a health
`problem and/or deterioration in the function of the body of
`the subject, until such deterioration bas already become
`pronounced. A more effective type of examination would
`therefore allow the subject to perform at least some aspects
`of the examination outside of a mectical environment, with(cid:173)
`out direct assistance from medical personnel, for example at
`home.
`
`ln order to perform such an examination at home,
`[0006)
`the s ubject would need to obtain one or more measurements.
`Currenll y, the subject needs to use a medical instrument,
`such as a manual or an automatic blood pressure inflating
`cuff device. Blood pres.surc measurements are usually per(cid:173)
`formed by the home (non-medical) subject once a day. Such
`medical instruments are difficult and awkward for the sub(cid:173)
`ject to operate, such !bat !be subject compliance may be
`reduced. Furthermore, the measurements can currently o nly
`be performed manually, such tha t the active intervention of
`
`the user is required. Thus, such measurements are not
`typically performed on a regular basis by individuals who
`are not known to be suffering from reduced cardiac function.
`
`[0007) On other hand, regular monitoring of one or more
`vital signs, for example on a daily or weekly schedule ,
`without interfering with the normal habits of the subject
`and/o r becoming a nuisance to the subject, is clearly helpful
`for monitoring the health condition of the subject and to alert
`the s ubject in case of deterioration in the health of the
`subject. From tbe health care system point of view, it is a
`method to filter the needed users from the rest of the healthy
`population, so they could receive medical treatment as soon
`as the symptoms are detected; saving hospitalization days by
`implementing preventive medication for those needed users.
`
`SUMMARY OF TilE lNVENTION
`
`[0008] The background art does not teach or suggest a
`system or method for automatically mo nitoring the health of
`the user, without requiri ng active intervention by the user.
`Furthermore, the background art does not teach or suggest a
`mechanism for automatically monitoring at least one physi(cid:173)
`ological function of the user. The background art also does
`not teach or suggest such a mechanism, which can be easily
`operated outside of the medical environment. Such a system
`or method would clearly be useful, as it would enable the
`health of the user to be moni tored frequenlly, thereby
`enabling earlier detection of a deterioration in the health of
`!be user, with the possibility of early treatment.
`
`[0009] The present invention overcomes these deficiencies
`of the background art by providing a system and method tor
`automatically monitoring at least one physiological function
`of the user, wilboul active intervention by the user, in a
`non-invasive manner. Such monitoring may be used to
`detect a deterioration in the health of the user. Preferably, the
`system according to the present invention features at least
`one physiological sensor for measuring at least one physi(cid:173)
`ological parameter of the user, a local processing unit tor
`extracting medical information by measuring at least one
`physiological function of the human body according to
`information obtained from the measurements, and a main
`server for processing the medical information in orde r to
`evaluate the health of tbe user. Such an evaluation is
`preferably performed by comparing medical information,
`which has been obtained from a plurality of physiological
`measurements. Optionally and more preferably, the user is
`alerted if the evaluation detects a deterioration in at least one
`physiological function.
`
`[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of tbe
`present invention, the physiological measurements and/or
`the obtained medical info rmation are stored in a database.
`Optionally and more preferably, such stored data is provided
`to mectical personnel who are treating the user, for example
`fo r more accurate diagnosis. Also optionally and more
`preferably, medical personnel receive an alert if a deterio(cid:173)
`ra tion in one or more physiological functions is detected.
`
`[0011] Examples of physiological functions and medical
`information which may opliooally be monitored by tbe
`present invention include, but arc not limited to: heart rate,
`arrhythmia, heart rate variability, ECG, blood pressure, body
`temperature and respiration rate. As used herein, the term
`"physiological parameter" refers to a signal which
`is
`received from a sensor and/o r medical instrument, while the
`
`005
`
`

`

`US 2005/0075542 Al
`
`Apr. 7, 2005
`
`2
`
`term ··medical information" refers to the information which
`may be extracted or otherwise obtained by analyzing this
`signal and/or a combination of signals.
`
`[0012] One or more pbysiological sensors for monitoring
`the user according to the present invention may optionally
`be concealed in a device, which is normally used by the user
`as part of daily life. Such a device is preferably operated by
`the user for at least one function which is not related to
`monitoring a physiological function of the user. Examples of
`such devices include, but are not limited to, a watch,
`bracelet, cellular telephone, regular telephone connected to
`the PSTN (public switched telephone network), furniture
`such as a chair or bed for example, keyboard, computer
`mouse, computer mouse pad, and so forth. Therefore the
`measurements arc performed wi thout the requirement for
`direct action or intervention by the user, and hence wi th little
`or no interference with the user's daily li(e.
`
`(0013] 1\ccording to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention, the physiological sensor which performs
`the physiological measurement is preferably connected to a
`local data processing unit through a communication com(cid:173)
`ponent. The communication component preferably features
`wireless transmission, although alternatively the connection
`may be wired, through a cable for example. The local
`processor is iLo;clf more preferably connected to a main
`server, optionally through a wireless communication link but
`alternatively through a wired communication link.
`
`(0014] The main server optionally and preferably features
`a database for storing the medical information and/or physi(cid:173)
`ological measurements obtained from the local processor
`and/or the physiological sensor. The main server more
`preferably also features a software module for monitoring
`the user's health by performing an algorithm to issue an alert
`whenever necessary. 111e a lgorithm operates on data stored
`in the database, preferably to create a user medical profile,
`which is optionally and more preferably based on the user's
`medical his tory, medical information from external systems
`and on an average readings of physiological parameters,
`most preferably collected over an extended period of time,
`or at least collected repeatedly.
`
`[0015] 1\ccording to an optional implementation of the
`present invention, the system further features a medical
`service center that can optionally and preferably initiate a
`medical examination in order to obtain •·on-line .. or "real
`time" measurements of physiological parameters regarding
`the user's current medical status and to obtain an on-line
`report about recent and/or historical measurements. The
`medical repon can also optionaUy and preferably be initiated
`also by the user, on-line via the Internet or other network for
`example, or off-line by any other communication means.
`Periodical reports regarding the user's measurements results
`arc optionally and preferably scot to tbe user and/or to the
`medical service center.
`
`[0016] The expression .. medical service center· refers in
`lhis connection to anyone who participates in the monitoring
`of the user and who needs to monitor the development of the
`user's bealth. Therefore this person does not necessarily
`have to be a medical doctor, but should be qualified to work
`in a medical service center.
`
`(0017] 1\ccording to a pre ferred embodiment of the
`present inventio n, any s ignificant deviation in measurements
`
`of a physiological parameter and/or medical information of
`the user from an expected standard causes an alert to be
`transmitted, optionally to the user, and alternatively or
`additionally to the medical service center and/or other
`medical personnel. ·n1e expected standard may optionally be
`relative to previous measurements of physiological param(cid:173)
`eters and/or previously obtained medical information. Alter(cid:173)
`natively or additionally, the expected standard may be
`absolute, such that the measurements are beyond the normal
`expected values, sucb as very higb or very low blood
`pressure, arrhythmia, and so forth. The alert could opiionally
`be sent to the medica l service center in o rder to make a
`decision whether the user should contact a medical doctor
`for fu rther medical examinations. Alerting the user could
`optionally be made by any kind of communication means
`(such as a voice message by telephone and/or sending a SMS
`or other text message to the cellular telephone, o r by e-mail).
`
`[0018] The
`invention also optionally and preferably
`relates to a portable measuring device with which tbe
`method according to the invention can be applied. The
`measuring device according to the invention is preferably
`characterized in that the measuring device features a mea(cid:173)
`suring unit, an optional processing unit and a communica(cid:173)
`tions device that uses a \vi red or a wireless data transmission
`link. Ibe measuring unit and/or the optional processing unit
`also preferably features some type of mechanism for sup(cid:173)
`plying the results via the communications device to a system
`on a maio server for data storage and processing, and
`optionally also for generating alerts, sucb tbat tbe data is
`more preferably also available to a medical service center.
`
`[0019) The term ··wired communications device" refers in
`this connection to any device which is sujtable for wired
`communications and by means of which the user can trans(cid:173)
`mit his measurement results to the data processing, storing
`and alerting system on a main server. Such a communica(cid:173)
`tions device may be for example any wired communication
`infrastn1cture, such as a PSTN, ISDN, Internet, LAN, cable
`modems and fiber-optic networks, etc.
`
`[0020] Tbe term .. wireless communications device" refers
`in this connection to any device which is suitable for
`wireless communications and by means of which the user
`can transmit his measurement results to the data processing,
`storing and alerting system on a main server, regardless of
`where the user is at the moment. Such a communications
`device may be for example any radio transmiuer, and/or
`mobile phone, Bluetooth device, wireless LAN, pager, etc.
`
`[0021) The term •·physiological sensor'' refers in this con(cid:173)
`nection to any sensor, optionally \vith a processing unit,
`which is suitable for measuring the physiological vital signs
`of the user or any standard medical equipment (such as
`automatic blood pres.sure device, ECG device and so forth,
`for example), that is capable of delivering output signal(s)
`and/or processed data via a data line or \vireless link to the
`system on a main server and/or to a local data processing
`unit. Non-limiting, illustrative examples of such a sensor
`include a piezoceramic transducer, a piezoelectric trans(cid:173)
`ducer, a bio-impedance meter, a resistive strain gauge and a
`pressure sensor with fiber-optic components.
`
`[0022] Among the advantages of the present invention are
`optionally and preferably the constant daily/weekly sched(cid:173)
`uled transmission of measurement results from the user to
`the server, the gathering of measurement resu lts in the user's
`
`006
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`

`

`US 2005/0075542 Al
`
`Apr. 7, 2005
`
`3
`
`normal environment and the possibility for the server to
`monitor the recent development of the user's health without
`a visit to the doctor, in which case the user can visit the
`doctor/hospital only when required and not according to a
`predetermined schedule.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0023] The foregoing and o ther objects, aspects and
`advantages will be better understood from Lhe fo llowing
`detailed description o( a preferred e mbodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion with reference to Lhe drawings, wherein:
`[0024) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exem(cid:173)
`plary but preferred implementation of the system according
`to the present invention;
`(0025) FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary implementation of
`tbe monito ring device according to tbe present invention;
`and
`(0026) FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary implementation
`of the monitoring device according to the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`(0027) The present invention is of a system and method
`for automatically monitoring at least one physiological
`function of the user, without active intervention by the user,
`in a non-invasive manner. Such monitoring may be used to
`detect a deterioration in the health of the user. Preferably, the
`system according to the present invention features at least
`one physiological sensor for measuring the physiological
`parameter of the user to obtain tbe measurement of a
`physiological function, a local processing unit for extracting
`medical information from tbe physiological measurement,
`and a main server for processing the medical information in
`order to evaluate the health of the user. Such an evaluation
`is preferably performed by comparing medical information
`which bas been obtained from a plurality of physiological
`measurements. Optionally and more preferably, the user is
`alerted if the evaluation detects a deterioration in at least o ne
`physiological ftnction.
`
`[0028) Examples of physiological functions and medical
`information which may optionally be monitored by the
`present invention include, but are no t limited to, heart beat,
`arrhythmia, heart rate variability, ECG, blood pressure, body
`temperature and respiration parameters.
`
`(0029) One or more physiological sensors for monitoring
`the user according to the present invention may optionally
`be concealed in a device which is normally used by the user.
`Such a device is preferably operated by the user for at least
`one function which is not related to monitoring a physi(cid:173)
`ological function o( the user. Examples of such devices
`include, but are not limited to, a watch, bracelet, cellular
`telephone, regular telephone connected to the PSTN (public
`switched telephone network), furniture such as a chair or bed
`for example, keyboard, computer mouse, computer mouse
`pad, and so forth. Therefore the measurements are per(cid:173)
`formed without a direct action or intervention by the user,
`and hence with little or no interference witb the user's daily
`life.
`(0030) According to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention, the physiological sensor which performs
`
`the physiological measurement is preferably connected to a
`local data processing unit through a communication com(cid:173)
`ponent. The communication component preferably features
`wireless transmission, although alternatively the connection
`may be wired, through a cable for example. The local
`processor is itself more preferably connected to a maio
`server, optionally through a wireless connection but alter(cid:173)
`natively through a wired connection.
`[0031) The maio server optionally and preferably fea tures
`a database for storing the medical infom1ation and/o r physi(cid:173)
`ological measurements obtained from the local processor.
`The main server more preferably also features a software
`module for monitoring the user's health by performing an
`algori thm to issue an alert whenever necessary. The algo(cid:173)
`rithm operates on data stored in the database, preferably to
`create a user medical profile, which is optionally and more
`preferably based on tbe user's medical his tory, medical
`information from external systems and on an average read(cid:173)
`ings of physiological parameters, most preferably collected
`over an extended period of time, or at least collected
`repeatedly.
`[0032) The principles and operation of a device and
`method according to the present invention may be better
`understood with reference to the drawings and the accom(cid:173)
`panying description.
`[0033) Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block
`diagram of the preferred embodiment of the system accord(cid:173)
`ing to the invention. A system 100 features a measuring
`device 102 for measuring at least one physiological param(cid:173)
`eter of the user. Measuring device 102 preferably features a
`communication module 104 and at least one physiological
`sensor 106, but more preferably features an array of physi(cid:173)
`ological sensors as s hown. Physiological sensor 106 senses
`at least one physiological parameter such as heart beat,
`arrhythmia, heart rate variability, ECG, blood pressure, body
`temperature and respiration parameters for example. Addi(cid:173)
`tionally or alternatively, physiological sensor 106 may also
`perform some other medically related measurement, such as
`measuring Sp02 (oxygen pressure in
`the blood) for
`example.
`
`[0034) Measuring device 102 is preferably built into a
`device which is frequently used by the user in everyday tasks
`such as watch, bracelet, cellular phone, telephone, chair,
`keyboard, computer's mouse, computer's mouse pad, bed,
`etc. This device may be described as a standard function
`device 108. Therefore, during no rmal operation of standard
`function device 108 by the user, direct physical contact is
`maintained with the measuring device 102, preferably with(cid:173)
`out the requirement fo r direct intervention or action by the
`user. One o r more measurements may optionally be taken by
`measuring device 102 from the user automatically through
`s uch direct physical contact.
`
`[0035) One optional but preferred example of measuring
`device 102 is a portable device which is preferably worn on
`the wrist of the user. For this example, standard function
`device 108 is preferably a wristwatch. According to pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiments of the present invention, the wrist(cid:173)
`mounted device (measuring device 102 with standard func(cid:173)
`tion device 108) features one or more sensors attached to a
`wristband or other fastening article. The sensor(s) are pref(cid:173)
`erably connected to a microprocessor, optionally by a wire
`but alternatively through a wireless connection. The micro-
`
`007
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`US 2005/0075542 Al
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`Apr. 7, 2005
`
`4
`
`processor may optionally also be located within the wrist(cid:173)
`band, or otherwise al\ached to the wristband. The sensor(s)
`preferably support automatic collection of at least one
`physiological measurement; more preferably, the micropro(cid:173)
`cessor is able to execute one or more instructions for
`extracting clinically useful information about the user from
`such measurement(s).
`
`(003 6] The microprocessor more preferably operates a
`software program to process and analyze the da ta which is
`collected, in order to compute medical information. The
`extracted medical information, optionally also with the raw
`data,
`is
`then preferably transferred
`to the previously
`described communication module. Tbis module then pref(cid:173)
`erably relays such information to a main server, which more
`preferably is able to provide such information to medical
`personnel, (or example as part of a medical service center.
`T herefore, continuous monito ring of the physiological
`parameters of the user may optionally and more preferably
`be made, enabling better medical care for the user.
`
`(0037] A general, non-limiting example of suitable formu(cid:173)
`lae for measuring the heart rate and/or other heart-related
`physiological parameters of a subject wbo is wearing the
`device according to the present invention may be found in
`Lhe article "Cuff-less Continuous Monitoring of Beat-To(cid:173)
`Beat Blood Pressure Usi ng Sensor Fusion", by Boo-1-Io
`Yang, Yi Zhang and H. Harry Asada-IEEE (also available
`hllp://web.mit.edu/zyi/www/pdf/
`through
`IEEETrans2000.pdJ as of Dec. 9, 2001), hereby incorpo(cid:173)
`rated by reference as if fully set forth herein, where systolic
`and diastolic blood pressure are calculated using Lhe pulse
`pres.'5ure shape per heartbeat. The disclosure does not
`describe a device which has the functionality acco rding to
`the present invention, but the disclosed method is generally
`useful for determining blood pressure from an external
`measurement of pres.'5ure from tbe pulse through the skin of
`tbe subject.
`
`[0038] After the measurement bas been perfo rmed, com(cid:173)
`munication module 104 preferably transmits the measure(cid:173)
`ment result to a local da ta processing unit 110. Communi(cid:173)
`cation module 104 may optionally be a wired or wireless
`communication such as serial communication pori (using
`serial protocols such as RS232, IRda or USB) or "Blue(cid:173)
`tooth" communication controller. Communication module
`104 then preferably transmits the measurement result sup(cid:173)
`plied by physiological sensor 106, for example in the form
`of a data packets, to local processing unit n O. A similar
`communication module 127 also performs communication
`at local processing unit 110, and is of a corresponding,
`compatible type to the type of communication module 104.
`Local data processing unit 110 may also optionally be
`incorporated wi t bin standard function device 108 as shown,
`or alternatively may be incorporated in a separate device
`(not shown). Measuring device 102 and local data process(cid:173)
`ing unit 110 can therefore optionally and preferably be
`combined io a single enclosure, whether as part of standard
`function device 108 or otherwise, thereby creating a stand(cid:173)
`alone medical device, which includes both measuring and
`processing functions.
`
`[003 9] The transmitted data is optionally and preferably
`sent, additionally or alternatively, directly to a main server
`112. According to an optional embodiment, one o r both of
`communication modu le 104 (if the measured data of physi-
`
`ological sensor 106 is transmitted directly to maio server
`112, as described in g reater detail below) or communication
`module 127 may optionally be implemented as a mobile unit
`(such as a cellular telephone) which transmits the measure(cid:173)
`ment result suppl ied by physiological sensor 106, optionally
`using the telephone as a cellular modem (i.e. sending data in
`the form of cellular data packets) or alternatively io form of
`a Short Message Service (SMS) message, or any other
`suitable format.
`
`[0040] For the preferred embodiment in which local data
`processing unit 110 receives the data, local data processing
`unit no preferably first decodes the message to extract the
`sensor data. Local data processing unit 110 then preferably
`executes an algorithm to extract medical information, such
`as heart beat rate, arrhythmia, heart rate variability and/or
`divergence of the patlern of heartbeats over a period of time,
`calculating tbe blood pressure from a blood pulse pressure
`sensor and/or calculating the respiration rate for example, or
`any combination thereof. As previously described, prefer(cid:173)
`ably ao algorithm is taken from the article ·'Cuff-less Con(cid:173)
`tinuous Monitoring of Beat-To-Beat Blood Pressure Using
`Sensor Fusion", by Boo-Ho Yang, Yi Zhang and H. Harry
`Asada- TEEE (also available th rough http://web.mit.edu/
`zyi/www/ pdf/IEEETraos2000pdf as of Dec. 9, 2001), pre(cid:173)
`viously incorporated by reference.
`[0041] Local data processing unit no optionally and pref(cid:173)
`erably stores the sensor data and the calculated results in a
`memory 114. More preferably, local data processing unit llO
`stores the da ta and ca lcu lated results at least un til this
`information is to be transmitted to main server 112 through
`a communication module 127.
`
`[0042] Once received by main server 112, the data is
`preferably first added to a database 118. Once a plurality of
`such measurements of physiological parameters and/or
`medical information has been collected, main server 1l2
`preferably executes an algori thm to create a medical profile
`120 fo r the user. Medical profil e 120 optionally and more
`preferably also incorporates information gathered from
`external medical server and databases. Examples of such
`information include but are not limited to the medical
`history of the user and medical information from an external
`system 122. External system 122 may optionally be a
`different medical instrument or database, for example hos(cid:173)
`pital records stored in a database. Additionally or alterna(cid:173)
`tively, medical profile 120 preferably includes information
`obtained by combining average readings of physiological
`parameters, and more preferably includes their divergence,
`collected over ao extended period of time by measuring
`device 102.
`
`[0043] The operation of the algorithm by main server 112
`preferably enables any alteration, change or deterioration in
`the physiological function of Lhe user to be determined, by
`comparing recent measurements of one or more physiologi(cid:173)
`cal parameters with information taken from medical profile
`120 . Optional but preferred examples of comparisons which
`cou ld be performed include but are not limited to detecting
`any increase in average readings of systolic blood pressure
`over time in comparison to average recent readings of
`systolic blood pressure, and/or any alteration in average
`heart rate, especially outside the normal range. Optionally
`and more preferably, such a determination of an alteration,
`change or deterioration in Lhe condition of the user causes
`
`008
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`Apr. 7, 2005
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`5
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`main server 112 to activate an alert module 124. Alert
`module 124 preferably causes an alert message to be sent
`directly to the user and/or to a medical service cen ter 126.
`[0044) Preferably, any
`the normal
`readings beyond
`expected values (such as very high or very low blood
`pressure), which may represent a dangerous medica] situa(cid:173)
`tion for the user also activate alert module 124.
`
`[0045) The alert message could optionally be sent to
`medical service center 126 to review the measurements of
`the physiological parameters in order to determi ne whether
`the user and/or the personne l at medical service center 126
`should contact a medical doctor and/or emergency services.
`
`[0046) The user may optionally be alerted through any
`suitable communication mechanism, such as voice commu(cid:173)
`nication and/or message by telephone, an SMS message to
`a cellular telep hone 130, an alert message to local processing
`unit llO