United States Patent [19J
`Lai et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII 111111111111111111
`US005855550A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,855,550
`Jan. 5, 1999
`
`[54] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY
`MONITORING MULTIPLE MEDICAL
`PARAMETERS
`
`[76]
`
`Inventors: Joseph Lai, 19660 Killarney Way,
`Brookfield, Wis. 53005; Lawrence A.
`Buyan, 6225 S. 38th St., Greenfield,
`Wis. 53221; Renee S. DuBore, 8101
`Milwaukee Ave., Wauwatosa, Wis.
`53213; Brian Lewis Pate, 2042 Bearss
`Ave. East, Tampa, Fla. 33613; James L.
`Reuss, 164 S. Charles St., Waukesha,
`Wis. 53186
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 747,859
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 13, 1996
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. Cl.6
`........................................................ A61B 5/02
`U.S. Cl. ............................................. 600/300; 128/903
`Field of Search ..................................... 600/300, 368,
`600/371, 324, 450, 451, 481, 485, 508,
`509,544,545,529,531,533,903
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,646,606
`3,786,190
`4,494,553
`4,517,982
`4,556,063
`4,883,057
`4,958,645
`
`2/1972 Buxton et al. .
`1/1974 Pori .
`1/1985 Sciarra et al. .
`5 /1985 Shiga et al. .
`12/1985 Thompson et al. .
`11/1989 Broderick .
`9 /1990 Ca dell et al. .
`
`1/1991 Segalowitz .
`4,981,141
`5/1994 Guggenbuhl et al. .
`5,307,817
`9/1994 McCarthy et al. ...................... 600/300
`5,349,953
`1/1995 Burrows.
`5,381,798
`4/1995 Alyfuku et al. ........................ 600/300
`5,410,471
`5/1995 Hogrefe et al. .
`5,415,181
`5/1995 Stutman et al. ........................ 600/300
`5,416,695
`6/1995 Feng.
`5,421,343
`5,458,123 10/1995 Unger.
`5,462,051 10/1995 Oka et al. ............................... 600/300
`5,536,084
`7/1996 Curtis et al. .
`9/1996 Chen et al. ............................. 600/300
`5,553,609
`5,576,952 11/1996 Stutman et al. ........................ 600/300
`4/1997 Burrows ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .. 600/300
`5,617,871
`4/1997 Sloane ... .... ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .. 600/300
`5,619,991
`
`Primary Examiner-Robert L. Nasser
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren,
`Norris & Rieselbach, s.c.
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`
`The invention relates to a medical parameter monitoring
`device which allows the monitoring of a plurality of medical
`parameters from a remote location. The invention uses a
`central monitoring system which transmits and receives data
`parameters via RF from remote patient monitors. The moni(cid:173)
`toring system utilizes a digital spread spectrum RF trans(cid:173)
`ceiver between the central monitoring system to the remote
`monitors. Forward error correcting, frequency hopping, and
`spread spectrum communications are employed to provide
`accurate transmission of data for a plurality of physiological
`parameters. Transmitted data can be automatically registered
`into storage in the central monitoring system.
`
`17 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`(cid:141)
`
`14
`
`(cid:141)
`
`14
`
`Display
`Printer
`CPU
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,855,550
`
`14
`
`-;::::.-.-----
`
`14
`
`.........................................
`
`(cid:141)
`
`/10
`.-------. __ (cid:141) .-----------. ~ G
`Display ~ G
`
`Printer
`CPU
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 2
`
`

`

`Battery
`Pack
`
`Main Board
`Electronics
`
`Main Sp02
`Board
`
`------------------------
`
`Oximetry
`Electronics
`
`FIG.2
`
`NIBP
`Board
`
`ECG
`Board
`
`Pressure
`Cuff
`
`ECG Electrodes
`
`Oximetry
`Sensors
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ~ RF Link to
`
`....._
`
`-
`
`______,. Central Station
`
`Telemetry
`Module
`
`LCD
`Display
`Module
`
`Alphanumeric
`Keypad
`
`16
`
`~
`~
`?
`~Ul
`
`'"""'
`\0
`\0
`\0
`
`'JJ. =-~
`~ ....
`N
`0 ....,
`Ul
`
`Ul
`....
`00
`Ul
`Ul
`....
`Ul
`
`Ul =
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,855,550
`
`.
`.
`·-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-··-·
`
`COMMON'
`
`COMMON'
`
`N.O.
`
`V2
`
`V1
`
`e
`
`EXHAUST e INTAKE
`
`8
`
`CHECK
`VALVE
`
`8
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 4
`
`

`

`Software Block Diagram
`
`d •
`r:JJ.
`•
`
`System Executive Task
`r------------------------------------------1
`
`Event
`Detection Test
`
`Waveform
`Display Task
`
`Numeric
`Display Task
`
`Trend Display
`Event Review
`Patient
`Manager
`Manager
`Manager
`..._ ____ __. ,_ _ _ , , . - - -_ . ._ _ __, __ __.
`
`I
`I
`I
`:
`1
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I ____________________ ____________ _____
`
`. - - - - - - - - - - , . - - - - - - - - , . - - - - - - - - , I
`I
`I
`:
`1
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`, r
`
`Strip Chart
`Task
`
`ECG Data Buffer
`
`2nd Waveform
`Data Buffer
`
`FIG.4
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 5
`
`

`

`p
`
`NIBP
`
`NIBP results
`
`•
`r:JJ.
`•
`
`(receives status
`from all system
`processes)
`
`D
`
`physical
`keys
`
`p
`KEYPAD
`
`CENTRAL
`STATION
`
`TONE
`UPDATE
`
`graphics
`
`LCD DISPLAY
`
`traces &
`level
`meters
`
`p
`Waveform
`Update Task'----(cid:173)
`(20/sec)
`
`p
`
`SIGNAL
`ANALYSIS
`- - - - - - - -7 TASK (20/sec)
`
`FIG. 5
`
`/ 16
`
`rings
`
`p
`SIGNAL
`-=====:w:a:v:e:fo:rm~p:u:t ~ ACQUISTION
`single put
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 6
`
`

`

`5,855,550
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY
`MONITORING MULTIPLE MEDICAL
`PARAMETERS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings described below wherein like com(cid:173)
`ponents have like numerals throughout several views.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medical monitoring system
`constructed in accordance with one form of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a patient monitor of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the pneumatic
`function of a non-invasive blood pressure component of the
`type which can be used with a preferred embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are block diagrams illustrating
`software configurations and/or networks of one type which
`can be used in accordance with the system and/or method of
`this invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a medical monitoring
`system constructed in accordance with one form of the
`invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to medical parameter
`monitoring and more particularly to monitoring multiple
`medical parameters of one or more subjects from a remote
`location. One preferred embodiment of the invention com(cid:173)
`prises a patient monitor and transceiver unit in one or more 10
`parts, one unit for each of a plurality of patients; a remote
`display/control device at a central monitoring system; and a
`communications system between the patient units and the
`remote display/control device.
`Systems presently available for remote monitoring com- 15
`manly employ either a hardwired connection between the
`patient monitor and the remote display/control device, or a
`unidirectional RF transmission from the monitor to remote
`display/control device only. Typically, analog signal data is
`transmitted, although digital data can also be encoded and 20
`transmitted. The remote display/control device generally
`supports a number of patient monitors with transmitters,
`communicating with receivers at the remote display/control
`device. The patient monitors themselves usually can only
`monitor one parameter (e.g., ECG), although some systems 25
`permit the combination of multiple monitoring devices,
`sometimes with multiple transmitters per patient. The use of
`unidirectional analog RF technology limits the patient sen(cid:173)
`sor monitors to performing pre-programmed tasks, with the
`only control being manual operation of the patient monitor 30
`itself. The analog signal quality received at the remote
`display/control unit tends to be dependent upon the distance
`from the transmitter to the antenna( e ); objects (building
`components, movable objects, etc.) in between the transmit(cid:173)
`ter and receiver may compromise performance.
`Furthermore, transmission technologies such as UHF, which 35
`employ a particular base frequency for data transmission,
`face serious problems due to interference from other trans(cid:173)
`mission sources which happen to be transmitting at or near
`the same frequency.
`It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an
`improved medical monitoring system including a patient
`monitor and a central monitoring system using bidirectional
`data transmission.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel
`medical monitoring system that enables dynamic control of
`remote monitoring simultaneously with medical parameter
`and/or waveform data acquisition.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide an
`improved medical monitoring system which can receive and
`control a plurality of medical parameters and/or waveforms
`being monitored at remote locations.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a com(cid:173)
`ponent which can be used therewith to automatically acquire
`and store data pertaining to various physiological param(cid:173)
`eters.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
`telemetry system which enables automatic acceptance of
`patient data and immediate analysis thereof and/or compari(cid:173)
`son with previously-acquired data.
`It is another object of the present invention to use RF
`communication and automatic registration of critical data, as
`well as in combination with forward error correcting, fre(cid:173)
`quency hopping, spread spectrum technology, to provide
`significantly improved results which are surprising and
`unexpected in view of the prior art.
`Other objects, features and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent from the following description of
`
`55
`
`Referring to the figures and more particularly to FIG. 1,
`a monitoring system constructed in accordance with one
`form of the invention is shown generally at 10. This pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment of the invention transmits remotely
`monitored digital medical data using bidirectional, prefer(cid:173)
`ably spread-spectrum RF transmission of digital data which
`can include forward error correction. Bidirectional transmis(cid:173)
`sion permits a remote display/control device 12 of a central
`monitoring system system 14 to control the monitoring
`process completely, including selection of medical param(cid:173)
`eters and/or waveforms to be determined by a patient
`monitor 16 borne by the patient or located at bedside. This
`ability to control the patient monitor 16 is important in
`supporting a broad range of different types of patient moni(cid:173)
`tors 16, from small ambulatory monitoring devices to large
`bedside monitors with a broad assortment of monitoring
`capabilities. By permitting dynamic configuration, the mix
`of patient monitors 16 can change to suit the current patient
`40 population. A further feature of this preferred embodiment is
`the ability to identify the location of a patient being moni(cid:173)
`tored by the system. Additionally, these bidirectional capa(cid:173)
`bilities enable messages to be sent directly from the central
`monitoring system 14 or devices coupled thereto to the
`45 patient monitor 16 or devices coupled thereto. For example,
`a nurse can respond to a call signal initiated by the patient
`by sending a message from the central monitoring system 14
`to an alphanumeric display at bedside. Methods for direct
`digital signal formation from input signals produced by a
`50 sensor device can be used with preferred embodiments of
`the invention, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/683,
`617 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for
`further details regarding such digital signal formation tech(cid:173)
`niques and its incorporation as part of a combination of
`elements.
`The present invention also offers automatic patent physi(cid:173)
`ological registration of the patients through RF communi(cid:173)
`cation once the patient monitors 16 are connected to the
`patient as described below. This facilitates an immediate
`acquisition of any and all parameters and/or waveforms
`60 associated with the central monitoring system which may be
`applicable to the respective patient. These parameters and/or
`waveforms can comprise ECG, NIBP, SpO 2 , respiration,
`temperature, four invasive lines, alarms, remote recording,
`and transmitter ID number, as well as other relevant patient
`65 information. Further, the bidirectional capabilities of the
`present invention allow selection of which parameters or
`waveforms to monitor with patient monitors 16 from the
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 7
`
`

`

`5,855,550
`
`3
`remote, central monitoring system 14. Additionally, the data
`sampling rates and all other monitoring parameters can be
`changed remotely using the central monitoring system 14.
`As mentioned above and as shown in the figures, the
`present invention can include an automated data acquisition 5
`and/or storage component. Such a component, in its various
`embodiments, can without limitation be incorporated for use
`in conjunction with the clinical analysis of transmitted data.
`This component accommodates automatic patient admission
`and facilitates the immediate transfer/receipt of data to a 10
`central central monitoring system. When a patient is con(cid:173)
`nected to a telemetry transmitter, clinical data is at once
`available and can be analyzed for various diagnostic pur(cid:173)
`poses. This aspect of the invention can allow for the imme(cid:173)
`diate clinical presentation and analysis of ECG, NIBP, SO 2 , 15
`as well as other pertinent information. This automated
`component is preferably located in the central monitoring
`system 14 although it can be located in or coupled to one or
`more of the patient monitors 16 or other devices.
`By way of comparison, the prior art-affording a telem- 20
`etry interface limited to one or two parameters-is some(cid:173)
`what restrictive in that a central monitoring system must
`wait for manual acceptance of data transmitted to a central
`station. For example, an end user of the prior art must
`manually instruct a central receiving location to learn a 25
`transmitted ECG pattern before such data is available for
`further comparison and analysis. The acceptance delay
`inherent to the prior art can cause valuable clinical data to be
`irretrievably lost. In other instances, with manual acquisition
`and storage of data, substantial delays may occur before the 30
`data is available for evaluation. However, with the present
`invention, once the patient monitor 16 is activated, data can
`be acquired, stored and evaluated upon transmission/
`reception. For example, ECG data can be automatically
`stored and evaluated for comparison to future output ECG 35
`data by a central monitoring system 16.
`Referring, in part, to the figures, the data acquisition/
`storage component of this invention can, alternatively, be
`described in relation to other invention components. Data
`describing various physiological parameters can be dis- 40
`played on conventional computer display monitors inter(cid:173)
`faced with the central monitoring system 14 or other receiv(cid:173)
`ing device hardwired or otherwise communicating with the
`central monitoring system 14. The central monitoring sys(cid:173)
`tem 14 preferably includes a printer, a computer monitor, a 45
`CPU such as a conventional personal computer and a
`conventional RF transmitter, an RF receiver or an integral
`RF transceiver. Automatic physiological registration of the
`patients is afforded through RF communication once the
`patient monitor 16 is connected to a patient. This facilitates 50
`an immediate acquisition of any and all parameters associ(cid:173)
`ated with a host monitor and applicable to a respective
`patient. Such parameters can include, but are not limited to
`ECG, NIBP, SpO 2 , respiration and temperature. Compre(cid:173)
`hensive trending of such parameters over time is available. 55
`A 24-hour trending capability is preferred. The trending can
`involve single or multiple parameters and is especially
`useful for cardiorespiratory patients, or those with other
`cardiovascular abnormalities. Invasive lines, alarms, remote
`recording and transmitter identification can, without 60
`limitation, also be incorporated.
`While a variety of spectrums and telemetry techniques
`can be used satisfactorily, preferably a transmitted event
`signal is digitized inside a host monitor and transmitted via
`RF communication using ISM band technology in conjunc- 65
`tion with forward correcting, frequency hopping, spread
`spectrum technology, to the central monitoring system 14 or
`
`4
`other component. The event can be a 36-second stored event
`chosen to bracket the time of the event. If so, the central
`receiving central monitoring system can provide a display
`six seconds before the event, six seconds during the event,
`and for 24 seconds following the event. Other display
`sequences are possible. The station can also, as needed,
`incorporate disk drive technology, preferably a 1.44 MB
`floppy disk drive, which enables a clinician to store and/or
`retrieve patient data. In preferred embodiments of this sort,
`the central central monitoring system can analyze and store
`up to 120 events. Such events can be cataloged in an
`appropriate manner for easy retrieval, such that a running
`total of events can be reviewed and, as needed, compared to
`those events not yet reviewed. Events can also be reprinted,
`stored on a floppy disk or deleted at any time according to
`standard operating procedure.
`As indicated above, the present invention allows trans(cid:173)
`mission of several physiological parameters simultaneously,
`through hardwire, RF or other communication in contrast to
`the prior art, where simultaneous transmission is limited.
`The present invention overcomes such a limitation, without
`degradation of signal and without a slowdown in system
`function. Simultaneous transmission, alone or in conjunc(cid:173)
`tion with other components of the present invention, permits
`maintenance monitoring capabilities during the transport of
`the patient. For instance, a clinician using the present
`invention is able to transport the patient in such a way as to
`continuously monitor both invasive and non-invasive physi(cid:173)
`ological parameters. By way of comparison, an end user of
`the prior art would necessarily disconnect the patient from a
`host monitor and reconnect that patient to a second monitor,
`one especially built for transporting the patient. The advance
`represented by the present invention assists the administra(cid:173)
`tion of health care. Continued, uninterrupted monitoring of
`all parameters and/or waveforms, both invasive and non(cid:173)
`invasive, is possible throughout the transport and comple(cid:173)
`tion of a subsequent procedure. Furthermore, if hemody(cid:173)
`namic monitoring circuits are involved, dispensing with the
`need to disconnect a patient will decrease the inclement risk
`of contamination. The patient can be transported immedi(cid:173)
`ately and when required, without delay due to changes in
`monitoring requirements. The continued, uninterrupted
`monitoring of all parameters and waveforms can be accom(cid:173)
`plished in several ways.
`In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the
`invention, a plurality of the central monitoring systems 14
`are located throughout a facility and can communicate with
`one another via hardwire, RF or other communication meth(cid:173)
`ods. Transfer of a patient from one central monitoring
`system 14 to another can be accomplished either by manu(cid:173)
`ally initiating a transfer function at the initiating central
`monitoring system 14, or can be accomplished automatically
`by sensing when a patient enters a zone allocated to another
`central monitoring system 14. The manual transfer method
`has the advantage of requiring personnel to consciously
`execute the command and monitor the results of the transfer.
`In this way, no patient is inadvertently lost by the system.
`Appropriate confirmation can be provided to ensure the
`transfer has been effectively completed. In accordance with
`the automatic transfer method, the fields of the central
`monitoring system 14 preferably overlap so that continuous
`monitoring from a central location can take place.
`Alternatively, monitoring can be switched from central
`monitoring by the central monitoring system 14 to the
`patient monitors 16 in transit. When a transfer is completed,
`the patient can be automatically registered into the appro(cid:173)
`priate central monitoring system 14 to which the patient is
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 8
`
`

`

`5,855,550
`
`5
`being transferred. Communication between the central
`monitoring system 14 enable historical patient data to be
`transferred during or subsequent to the transfer procedure.
`While a variety of techniques can be used, preferably the
`ISM frequency band is divided into a number of discrete 5
`channels. Each of the central monitoring system 14 can then
`operate on its own channel.
`In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
`invention, the central monitoring systems 14 can be
`accessed from another remote location, such as a lounge and 10
`interrogation of certain patient parameters and waveforms
`can be initiated. In this way, nurses or other personnel can
`monitor a patient while performing activities in locations
`other than a central monitoring system.
`A preferred embodiment of the present invention is as 15
`presented through the multiple parameter telemetry system
`available under the MPT trademark from Criticare Systems,
`Inc. of Waukesha, Wis. The non-invasive blood pressure
`component of this embodiment utilizes oscillometric mea(cid:173)
`surement upon inflation. It can average less than 40 seconds, 20
`standard adult cuff. Various automatic measurement cycles
`are available. Continuous readings are available for up to
`five minutes. Operative pressures range from 30-300 mm
`Hg for adults and 20-150 mm Hg for neonates. Such a
`component typically has an accuracy of ±2% or ±2 mm Hg 25
`over the full range of pressures. The pulse oximetry com(cid:173)
`ponent has a range of 0-99%, with a resolution of 1 %.
`Typically, accuracy is ±2% (70-99%) and ±3% (50-69%).
`Dual wavelength LED is a preferred method of operation.
`The ECG component utilizes band widths of 0.05-100 Hz 30
`and 0.5-40 Hz. Heart (pulse) rate is measurable over a range
`of 20-300 beats per minutes, with updates available from
`beat to beat. Such a component is accurate to ±1 BPM or 1 %
`(the larger)-ECG and/or ±2 BPM or 2% (the larger)(cid:173)
`SpO2 and NIBP. Other parameters and waveforms that can 35
`be monitored include invasive blood pressure monitors at
`multiple sites, respiration monitors, body temperature
`monitors, inspired and expired CO2 levels in inspired and
`expired air, 0 2 levels in inspired and expired air, anesthetic
`levels including nitrous oxide levels in inspired and expired 40
`air. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
`the patient monitors 16 can include any number of conven(cid:173)
`tional monitoring devices for monitoring these parameters
`and waveforms. With respect to particular RF specifications,
`the receiver frequency and transmitter frequency can be ISM 45
`902-928 MHz although any legally permissible frequency
`range can be used. An internal antenna is preferably used
`with the frequency hopping spectrum spreading techniques
`which are well known in the art.
`In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
`invention, an external RF modem can be used with conven(cid:173)
`tional bedside monitors such as those commercially avail(cid:173)
`able from the assignee of the present invention. The external
`RF modem can be used to communicate with the central
`monitoring system 14 instead of requiring a specially con(cid:173)
`figured patient monitor 16 including RF transceiver tech(cid:173)
`nology.
`While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
`shown and described, it will be clear to those skilled in the
`art that various changes and modifications can be made
`without departing from the invention in its broader aspects
`as set forth in the claims provided hereinafter.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for monitoring a plurality of physiological
`parameters of a patient, comprising the steps of:
`providing at least first and second central monitoring
`systems for monitoring a plurality of physiological
`
`6
`parameters, the central monitoring systems each
`including a first transceiver;
`coupling a patient monitor having a second transceiver to
`said patient to monitor at least one said physiological
`parameter;
`continually transmitting a first data signal corresponding
`to said physiological parameters from said patient
`monitor to said first central monitoring system, the first
`data signal including a patient location signal;
`transmitting a second data signal from said first central
`monitoring system to said patient monitor to remotely
`select at least one of the plurality of physiological
`parameters to monitor;
`displaying a continuous representation of at least one
`physiological parameter on a display coupled to the
`first central monitoring system;
`automatically switching control from the first central
`monitoring system to the second central monitoring
`system based on the patient location signal; and
`displaying a continuous representation of at least one
`physiological parameter on a display coupled to the
`second central monitoring system.
`2. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the
`step of switching monitoring control from the first central
`monitoring system to the patient monitor when the patient is
`in transit, and automatically switching the control to the
`second central monitoring system when the patient reaches
`a new stationary location.
`3. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the
`step of automatically recognizing said patient monitor has
`established bidirectional communications with the central
`monitoring system and automatically displaying information
`based upon said monitoring on said display.
`4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
`data signal and said second data signal are transmitted
`simultaneous! y.
`5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said medical
`parameters include at least blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2,
`respiration and ECG.
`6. The method as defined in claim 1 further including the
`step of automatically transferring monitoring of the patient
`monitor to the second central monitoring system.
`7. The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of
`manually transferring monitoring of the patient monitor to
`the second central monitoring system.
`8. The method as defined in claim 1, including the steps
`of storing physiological data in a storage unit in at least one
`50 of the central monitoring systems, and displaying an event
`of a predetermined time period.
`9. The method as defined in claim 8, including the steps
`of displaying a second predetermined time period represent(cid:173)
`ing a period prior to the event, and a third predetermined
`55 time period representing a period after the event.
`10. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein spread(cid:173)
`spectrum radio-frequency communications are employed to
`transmit said first and second data signals.
`11. The method as defined in claim 1, including the steps
`60 of coupling an input device to said patient monitor, coupling
`a patient monitor display to said patient monitor, selecting
`monitoring parameters through said input device, and dis(cid:173)
`playing continuous representations of physiological param-
`eters on the patient monitor display.
`12. The method as defined in claim 1, further including
`the step of using the second data signal to select at least one
`monitoring parameter.
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 9
`
`

`

`5,855,550
`
`7
`13. The method as defined in claim 1, further including
`the step of remotely selecting a sampling rate.
`14. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said
`continuous representation comprises a numerical level of a
`real-time physiological parameter.
`15. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said
`continuous representation comprises a waveform of a real(cid:173)
`time physiological parameter.
`
`8
`16. The method as defined in claim 1, further including
`the step of using a storage unit and a processing unit in at
`least one of the central monitoring systems to provide
`comprehensive trending of one or more parameters.
`17. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
`data signal further includes a patient location signal.
`
`s
`
`* * * * *
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1050, p. 10
`
`