US 7,558,622 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12) Unlted States Patent
`
`Tran
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`USOO7558622B2
`
`(54) MESH NETWORK STROKE MONITORING
`APPLIANCE
`
`(76)
`
`.
`( * ) Notlce:
`
`Inventor: Bao Tran, 6768 Meadow Vista Ct., San
`Jose“ CA (Us) 95135
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Subject. to any dlsclalmer; the term ofthls
`patent 1s extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 15403) by 440 days
`
`(21) APP1~ N0: 11/4393631
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 24, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0276270 A1
`
`NOV. 29; 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A6IN 5/04
`(52) US. Cl.
`....................................... 600/509; 600/513
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 600/528,
`600/509, 513
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`4,869,261 A
`4,880,013 A
`4907597 A.
`
`25384212211? 2
`a
`a
`5,090,418 A
`RE34,015 E
`5,140,990 A
`5,161,529 A
`5,162,991 A
`5,271,411 A
`5,285,793 A
`5,287,859 A
`5,309,916 A
`5,331,969 A
`5,361,775 A
`5,365,426 A
`5,368,039 A
`5,370,126 A
`5,375,610 A
`5,434,419 A
`5,435,316 A
`
`9/1989 Penaz
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`3n990 Chmnoun
`
`.
`
`tal
`131338 Jail?“
`0
`5011 e
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`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S.App1. No. 10/938,783, filed Sep. 10, 2004, Wen.
`
`UHS PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary ExamineriCarl H Layno
`Assistant ExamineriBrian T Gedeon
`
`4,234,926 A
`4,275,742 A
`
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`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiTran & Associates
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A health care monitoring system for a person includes one or
`more wireless nodes forming a wireless mesh network; a
`wearable appliance having a sound transducer coupled to the
`wireless transceiver; and a heart attack or stroke attack sensor
`coupledto the wireless mesh networkto communicate patient
`data over the wireless mesh network to detect a heart attack or
`a StrOke anaCk
`
`19 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`REMOTE SERVER zoo
`
`
`AUTHORIZED THlRD
`PARW (DOCTOR.
`
`FAMILY. EMERGENCY
`SERVICES.
`
`OAREGWER. HOSPITAL,
`NURSING ROME. CALL
`CENTER, ETC.) 2m
`
`LOCAL SERVER 20
`no
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`so
`52
`1 u
`BASE STATION -
`64
`
`a:
`
`lo
`
`
`
`so
`
`APPLE 1038
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1038
`
`

`

`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
`2
`
`

`

`US 7,558,622 B2
` Page 3
`
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`
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`
`* cited by examiner
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`
`REMOTE SERVER 200
`
`
`
`AUTHORIZED THIRD
`
`PARTY (DOCTOR.
`
`FAMILY, EMERGENCY
`
`lntemet
`SERVICES.
`
`100
`
`CAREGIVER. HOSPITAL,
`
`NURSING HOME. CALL
`CENTER, ETC.) 210
`
`
`
`
`BASE STATION -
`
`LOCAL SERVER 20
`
`Mesh Network
`
`Appliances 3
`
`O
`
`10
`
`30
`
`FIG. 1
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Place a calibration sheet with known dots at a known distance
`
`and perpendicular to a camera view
`
`Take snap shot of the sheet, and correlate the position of the
`dots to the camera image
`
`Place a different calibration sheet that contains known dots at
`
`another different known distance and perpendicular to camera
`view.
`
`defining a cone center where the camera can view
`
`Take snap shot of the sheet and correlate the position of the
`dots to the camera image
`
`Smooth the dots to the pixels to minimize digitization errors
`
`For each pixel, draw a line from Dot1(x,y,z) to Dot2 (x, y, z)
`
`FIG.2A
`
`ODODOUOD
`
`onouonou
`
`ODODODOD
`
`onououou
`
`ODODOUUD
`
`OIOIOIOI
`
`ODODODOD
`
`OIOIOIOI
`
`E.0 Nw
`
`01
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Find floor space area
`
`Define camera view
`
`background 3D scene
`
`Calculate patient’s key features
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Find floor space area
`
`Detect fall
`Detect facial expression
`
`Define camera view background 3D scene
`
`Calculate patient’s key features
`
`Extract facial objects
`
`Detect facial orientation
`
`FIG. 4
`
`6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine if patient needs assistance based on in-door position, fall
`
`detection and vital parameter (1008)
`
`Confirm prior to calling third party (1010)
`
`If confirmed or non-responsive, make connection with third party and
`
`send voice over mesh network to appliance worn by the patient (1012)
`
`If needed, call emergency personnel to get medical care (1014)
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1382
`
`1388
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`HDTV REMOTE
`CONTROL 1399
`
`LIGHTING
`CONTROL 1398
`
`ROOM
`THERMOSTAT
`CONTROL 1396
`
`HOME SECURITY
`MONITOR 1394
`
`FIRE ALARMS
`1393
`
`
`
`HEAD BAND OR HEAD CAP
`1402
`
`PATCH
`1400
`
`1182
`
`MEDICINE
`CONTAINER(S)
`
`1391 HOME
`
`APPLIANCE(S)
`1392
`
`BASE STATION
`
`
`POTS/PSTN OR THE
`OR PERSONAL
`INTERNET
`
`SERVER 1390
`
`
`AUTHORIZED THIRD PARTY (FRIEND. FAMILY, COMMUNITY, EMERGENCY SERVICES.
`HOSPITAL. CAREGIVER. OR MONITORING CALL CENTER. AMONG OTHERS) 1194
`
`
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 6 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Star . PAN Coordinator (FFD)
`
`O Router Node (FFD)
`@ End Device (RFD or FFD)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`130
`
`132
`
`FIG. 8
`
`9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 7 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`FIG. 9
`
`149
`
`FIG. 10
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 8 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`162
`
`172
`
`FIG. 1 1
`
`
`
`FIG. 12
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 9 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
` .
`
`. 196
`
`192
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 11 0f 18
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`US 7,558,622 B2
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 12 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Patient A
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 13 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 14 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Generate a blood pressure model of a patient (2002)
`
`Determine a blood flow velocity using a piezoelectric transducer (2004)
`
`continuously estimate blood pressure (2006)
`
`Provide-the blood flow velocity to the blood pressure model to
`
`FIG. 16A
`
`Attach monitoring device and calibration device to patient (2010)
`
`Determine blood flow velocity from the monitoring device and actual
`blood pressure from the calibration device (2012)
`
`Generate a blood pressure model based on the blood flow velocity and the
`actual blood pressure (2014)
`
`pressure (2020)
`
`Remove calibration device (2016)
`
`Determine blood flow velocity (2018)
`
`Provide blood flow velocity to the blood pressure model to estimate blood
`
`FIG. 16B
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 15 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Detect weakness in lefi half and right half of patient body - arms, legs,
`face (3000)
`
`Detect walking pattern for loss of balance or coordination (3002)
`
`Ask user to move hands/feet in a predetermined pattern (3004)
`
`Read accelerometer output in accordance with predetermined pattern
`movement (3006)
`
`Provide accelerometer output to a pattern classifier (3008)
`
`Check whether patient is experiencing dizziness or sudden, severe
`headache with no known cause (3010)
`
`
`
`Display a text image and ask the patient to read back the text image,
`one eye at a time (3012)
`
`Use speech recognizer to detect confusion, trouble speaking or
`understanding (3014)
`
`Ask patient if they feel numbness in the body- arms, legs, face (3016)
`
`Ask patient to squeeze gauge/force sensor to determine force applied
`during squeeze (3018)
`
`FIG. 16C
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 16 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Torso
`
`Right
`
`upper
`arm
`
`Loft
`
`thigh
`
`
`
`FIG. 16D
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 17 0f 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`Compare historical left shoulder (LS) strength against current LS
`strength (3200)
`
`Compare historical right shoulder (RS) strength against current
`RS strength (3202)
`
`’
`
`threshold, generate warning (3208)
`
`Compare historical left hip (LH) strength against current LH
`strength (3204)
`
`Compare historical right hip (RH) strength against current RH
`strength (3206)
`
`If variance between historical and current strength exceeds
`
`FIG. 16B
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 7, 2009
`
`Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`10 mm
`
`Muscie site
`
`
`
`Van: = V)‘V.’
`
`1 mm
`
`/
`
`Refenence
`
`FIG. 17A
`
`HISTORICAL MEASUREMENT
`
`RECENT MEASUREMENT
`
`
`
`FIG. 17B
`
`FIG. 17C
`
`21
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`21
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`

`

`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`1
`MESH NETWORK STROKE MONITORING
`APPLIANCE
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This invention relates generally to methods and systems for
`monitoring a person.
`Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United
`States. A stroke is defined as a sudden loss of brain function
`
`caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain.
`Approximately 150,000 deaths per year are attributed to
`stroke. It is also the most common neurologic reason for
`hospitalization. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel (artery)
`that supplies blood to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood
`clot. Within minutes, the nerve cells in that area of the brain
`are damaged, and they may die within a few hours. As a result,
`the part of the body controlled by the damaged section of the
`brain cannot function properly. Prior to a stroke, a person may
`have one or more transient ischemic attacks (TlAs), which are
`a warning signal that a stroke may soon occur. TlAs are often
`called mini strokes because their symptoms are similar to
`those of a stroke. However, unlike stroke symptoms, TIA
`symptoms usually disappear within 10 to 20 minutes,
`although they may last up to 24 hours.
`Although great strides have been made in the treatment of
`stroke, the overall incidence will continue to rise as our popu-
`lation ages. Primary and secondary prevention of stroke is
`important to decrease its incidence and its associated morbid-
`ity. The 30-day mortality rate is 7.6% for patients with
`ischemic stroke and 37.5% for those with hemorrhagic
`stroke. 17 Most deaths within the first week are attributable to
`the severe nature of a stroke, while deaths that occur later are
`usually the result of complications of the stroke itself or of
`other comorbid conditions. Patients with stroke often have
`
`systemic vascular disease; the annual risk ofvascular death in
`stroke patients is greater than 3%. Most stroke survivors are
`left with some disability. For example, 48% are hemiparetic at
`6 months and 22% cannot walk. As many as one-half of all
`stroke survivors are partially dependent on others to perform
`activities of daily living.l8 The rate of recurrent noncardi-
`oembolic stroke is 3% to 7% per year.
`Stroke can be subdivided into two types: ischemic and
`hemorrhagic. lschemic stroke accounts for 85% of all cas-
`es.ln ischemic stroke, interruption of the blood supply to the
`brain results in tissue hypoperfusion, hypoxia, and eventual
`cell death secondary to a failure of energy production. Three
`main mechanisms are involved in the development of
`ischemic stroke, and they are associated with atherothrom-
`botic, embolic, and small-vessel diseases. Less common
`causes include coagulopathies, vasculitis, dissection, and
`venous thrombosis.
`
`ln atherothrombotic disease, lipid deposition leads to the
`formation of plaque, which narrows the vessel lumen and
`results in turbulent blood flow through the area of stenosis.
`The turbulence ofthe flow and the resultant alterations in flow
`
`velocities lead to intimal disruption or plaque rupture, both of
`which activate the clotting cascade. This causes platelets to
`become activated and adhere to the plaque surface, where
`they eventually form a fibrin clot. As the lumen of the vessel
`becomes more occluded,
`ischemia develops distal to the
`obstruction and can eventually lead to an infarction of the
`tissue that is dependent on the parent vessel for oxygen deliv-
`ery. Embolic stroke occurs when dislodged thrombi travel
`distally and occlude vessels downstream. One-half of all
`embolic strokes are caused by atrial fibrillation; the rest are
`attributable to a variety of causes, including (1) left ventricu-
`lar dysfunction secondary to acute myocardial infarction or
`
`2
`
`severe congestive heart failure, (2) paradoxical emboli sec-
`ondary to a patent foramen ovale, and (3) atheroemboli.
`These latter vessel-to-vessel emboli often arise from athero-
`
`sclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, carotid arteries, and ver-
`tebral arteries.
`Small-vessel ischemia can occur when microatheromata
`
`occlude the orifice of penetrating arteries. Another mecha-
`nism is associated with lipohyalinosis, in which pathologic
`changes in the tunica media and the adventitia of penetrating
`arteries occur in the presence of chronic hypertension.
`Elevated blood pressure causes endothelial injury that dis-
`rupts the blood-brain barrier. This in turn leads to a deposition
`of plasma proteins and eventually degeneration of the tunica
`media smooth muscle. The smooth muscle is replaced with
`collagenous fibers, which inhibit the elasticity of the blood
`vessel. This causes the vessel lumen to narrow and eventually
`activates the clotting cascade, leading to thrombosis. Small-
`vessel ischemic disease typically results in lacunar infarcts,
`which were named for the small “lakes” (lacunae) that are
`found at autopsy in affected patients.
`Hypoperfusion can occur as a result of (l) atherosclerotic
`disease that limits distal flow or (2) systemic hypotension,
`such as seen in patients who experience acute cardiacarrhyth-
`mia or cardiac arrest. A reduction in cerebral perfusion pres-
`sure activates the autoregulatory system. As the small arteri-
`oles constrict in an attempt to maintain pres sure, ischemia can
`develop in the distal branches ofthe vascular tree. Areas ofthe
`brain that lies between two major vascular supplies (eg, the
`middle and anterior cerebral arteries) is known as a watershed
`area. These areas are especially prone to ischemia during
`episodes of systemic hypotension.
`Hemorrhagic stroke can be further subclassified as intrac-
`erebral and subarachnoid. lntracerebral hemorrhage is the
`result of the rupture of a vessel within the brain parenchyma.
`The primary causes of these ruptures are hypertension and
`amyloid angiopathy; secondary precipitating factors are
`listed in Table 1. As with ischemic stroke, the location of an
`intracerebral hemorrhage determines the type of symptoms
`and the patient’ s overall outcome. For example, a small lobar
`hemorrhage might cause only a mild headache and subtle
`motor deficits, while a hemorrhage of the same size in the
`pons might result in a coma. Outcomes are also correlated
`with the volume ofblood; hemorrhages greater than 60 ml are
`almost always fatal, regardless of their location.
`Hypertension is a major cause of hemorrhages of the basal
`ganglia and brainstem. Chronic hypertension can lead to the
`formation of Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms in lipohyalinotic
`vessels, which can rupture. Common locations of hyperten-
`sive hemorrhages include the putamen, caudate, thalamus,
`pons, and cerebellum. Amyloid angiopathy is a common
`cause of lobar hemorrhage (FIG. 5). This disease process
`occurs in the elderly and is caused by a deposition of beta
`amyloid sheets in the tunica media of the vessel wall. The
`deposition of amyloid protein causes the vessels to become
`more rigid, fragile, and prone to rupture. Evidence of hemo-
`siderin deposition in other areas of the brain on magnetic
`resonance imaging (MRI) might also be seen. This deposition
`indicates that the patient has experienced previous hemor-
`rhage and provides indirect support for the presence of amy-
`loid angiopathy; however, pathologic examination can make
`a definitive diagnosis.
`
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`

`

`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`3
`Early detection and treatment of stroke is essential to
`recovery from a stroke.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one aspect, a monitoring system for a person includes
`one or more wireless nodes and a stroke sensor coupled to the
`person and the wireless nodes to determine a stroke attack.
`In one aspect, a monitoring system for a person includes
`one or more wireless nodes and an electromyography (EMG)
`sensor coupled to the person and the wireless nodes to deter-
`mine a stroke attack.
`
`In another aspect, a health care monitoring system for a
`person includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wire-
`less mesh network; a wearable appliance having a sound
`transducer coupled to the wireless transceiver; and a bioelec-
`tric impedance (BI) sensor coupled to the wireless mesh
`network to communicate BI data over the wireless mesh
`network.
`
`In a further aspect, a heart monitoring system for a person
`includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless mesh
`network and a wearable appliance having a sound transducer
`coupled to the wireless transceiver; and a heart disease rec-
`ognizer coupled to the sound transducer to determine cardio-
`vascular health and to transmit heart sound over the wireless
`
`mesh network to a remote listener if the recognizer identifies
`a cardiovascular problem. The heart sound being transmitted
`may be compressed to save transmission bandwidth.
`In yet another aspect, a monitoring system for a person
`includes one or more wireless nodes; and a wristwatch having
`a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with the one or
`more wireless nodes; and an accelerometer to detect a dan-
`gerous condition and to generate a warning when the danger-
`ous condition is detected.
`
`In yet another aspect, a monitoring system for a person
`includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless mesh
`network; and a wearable appliance having a wireless trans-
`ceiver adapted to communicate with the one or more wireless
`nodes; and a heartbeat detector coupled to the wireless trans-
`ceiver. The system may also include an accelerometer to
`detect a dangerous condition such as a falling condition and to
`generate a warning when the dangerous condition is detected.
`Implementations of the above aspect may include one or
`more of the following. The wristwatch determines position
`based on triangulation. The wristwatch determines position
`based on RF signal strength and RF signal angle. A switch
`detects a confirmatory signal from the person. The confirma-
`tory signal includes a head movement, a hand movement, or
`a mouth movement. The confirmatory signal includes the
`person’s voice. A processor in the system executes computer
`readable code to transmit a help request to a remote computer.
`The code can encrypt or scramble data for privacy. The pro-
`cessor can execute voice over IP (VOIP) code to allow a user
`and a remote person to audibly communicate with each other.
`The voice communication system can include Zigbee VOIP
`or Bluetooth VOIP or 802 .XX VOIP. The remote person can
`be a doctor, a nurse, a medical assistant, or a caregiver. The
`system includes code to store and analyze patient informa-
`tion. The patient information includes medicine taking habits,
`eating and drinking habits, sleeping habits, or excise habits. A
`patient interface is provided on a user computer for accessing
`information and the patient interface includes in one imple-
`mentation a touch screen; voice-activated text reading; and
`one touch telephone dialing. The processor can execute code
`to store and analyze information relating to the person’s
`ambulation. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver can
`be used to detect movement and where the person falls. The
`
`4
`
`system can include code to map the person’s location onto an
`area for viewing. The system can include one or more cam-
`eras positioned to capture three dimensional (3 D) video ofthe
`patient; and a server coupled to the one or more cameras, the
`server executing code to detect a dangerous condition for the
`patient based on the 3D video and allow a remote third party
`to view images ofthe patient when the dangerous condition is
`detected.
`
`In another aspect, a monitoring system for a person
`includes one or more wireless bases; and a cellular telephone
`having a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with
`the one or more wireless bases; and an accelerometer to detect
`a dangerous condition and to generate a warning when the
`dangerous condition is detected.
`In yet another aspect, a monitoring system includes one or
`more cameras to determine a three dimensional (3D) model
`of a person; means to detect a dangerous condition based on
`the 3D model; and means to generate a warning when the
`dangerous condition is detected.
`In another aspect, a method to detect a dangerous condition
`for an infant includes placing a pad with one or more sensors
`in the infant’s diaper; collecting infant vital parameters; pro-
`cessing the vital parameter to detect SIDS onset; and gener-
`ating a warning.
`Advantages of the system may include one or more of the
`following. The system detects the warning signs of stroke and
`prompts the user to reach a health care provider within 2 hours
`of symptom onset. The system enables patent to properly
`manage acute stroke, and the resulting early treatment might
`reduce the degree of morbidity that is associated with first-
`ever strokes.
`
`Other advantages ofthe invention may include one or more
`of the following. The system for non-invasively and continu-
`ally monitors a subject’ s arterial blood pressure, with reduced
`susceptibility to noise and subject movement, and relative
`insensitivity to placement ofthe apparatus on the subject. The
`system does not need frequent recalibration of the system
`while in use on the subject.
`In particular, it allows patients to conduct a low-cost, com-
`prehensive, real-time monitoring of their blood pressure.
`Using the web services software interface, the invention then
`avails this information to hospitals, home-health care organi-
`zations, insurance companies, pharmaceutical agencies con-
`ducting clinical trials and other organizations. Information
`can be viewed using an Internet-based website, a personal
`computer, or simply by viewing a display on the monitor.
`Data measured several times each day provide a relatively
`comprehensive data set compared to that measured during
`medical appointments separated by several weeks or even
`months. This allows both the patient and medical professional
`to observe trends in the data, such as a gradual increase or
`decrease in blood pressure, which may indicate a medical
`condition. The invention also minimizes effects ofwhite coat
`
`syndrome since the monitor automatically makes measure-
`ments with basically no discomfort; measurements are made
`at the patient’ s home or work, rather than in a medical office.
`The wearable appliance is small, easily worn by the patient
`during periods of exercise or day-to-day activities, and non-
`invasively measures blood pressure can be done in a matter of
`seconds without affecting the patient. An on-board or remote
`processor can analyze the time-dependent measurements to
`generate statistics on a patient’s blood pressure (e.g., average
`pressures, standard deviation, beat-to-beat pressure varia-
`tions) that are not available with conventional devices that
`only measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure at isolated
`times.
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`

`

`US 7,558,622 B2
`
`5
`The wearable appliance provides an in-depth, cost-effec-
`tive mechanism to evaluate a patient’s cardiac condition.
`Certain cardiac conditions can be controlled, and in some
`cases predicted, before they actually occur. Moreover, data
`from the patient can be collected and analyzed while the
`patient participates in their normal, day-to-day activities.
`In cases where the device has fall detection in addition to
`
`blood pressure measurement, other advantages of the inven-
`tion may include one or more of the following. The system
`provides timely assistance and enables elderly and disabled
`individuals to live relatively independent lives. The system
`monitors physical activity patterns, detects the occurrence of
`falls, and recognizes body motion patterns leading to falls.
`Continuous monitoring of patients is done in an accurate,
`convenient, unobtrusive, private and socially acceptable man-
`ner since a computer monitors the images and human involve-
`ment
`is allowed only under pre-designated events. The
`patient’s privacy is preserved since human access to videos of
`the patient is restricted: the system only allows human view-
`ing under emergency or other highly controlled conditions
`designated in advance by the user. When the patient is healthy,
`people cannot view the patient’s video without the patient’s
`consent. Only when the patient’s safety is threatened would
`the system provide patient information to authorized medical
`providers to assist the patient. When an emergency occurs,
`images of the patient and related medical data can be com-
`piled and sent to paramedics or hospital for proper prepara-
`tion for pick up and check into emergency room.
`The system allows certain designated people such as a
`family m