MX2011009783A - Device for remotely monitoring the temperature and further indicators. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a device for monitoring or watching indicators and/or changes in the values of a relevant medical condition present in a patient, such as temperature, which comprises two elements: an element for performing the temperature measurements and an element for receiving the information, alert signals and/or warnings. The device, according to the present invention, takes a data measurement, then processes, sends and receives said data and determines the emission of an alert or alarm in case the information is out of the preset and/or conventional parameters. The device is of substantial use for monitoring variations, particularly but not exclusively, in temperature of live mammals, especially patients in intensive therapy, infants, elders and/or handicapped people, and for sending an alert by an alarm element to a remote receiving unit so that said signal is recorded and an action exerted according to the interpretation of the emitted results.

Description

DEVICE FOR REMOTELY MONITORING THE TEMPERATURE AND OTHER INDICATORS.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of devices useful for monitoring the temperature, and issuing an alert and / or warning if necessary. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for remotely monitoring the temperature of newborns, young children, invalids, senile persons, persons with any condition and / or any persons confined to a circumscribed area for health reasons, and issuing a alert and / or warning if that temperature is outside pre-established ranges.

Background of the Invention Throughout the world, various types of systems and devices for monitoring and controlling temperature are widely known and are also very commonly used. In general, this type of device depends on certain body contact so that they can measure the temperature of a human subject, either placed inside a body orifice or by contact with the skin of said subject. Although these devices are useful, they have the drawback of not being able to measure the body temperature remotely and without touching the human subject directly. In this case, the - - Measurement is done remotely, however it requires sensors placed in the body.

Likewise, remote monitoring of physical conditions is increasingly necessary as a complement to home care and supervision of people with this need, such as the elderly and also for babies and young children, who usually can not. be able to participate actively in the monitoring of some health parameter that should be monitored.

In this sense, it is important to mention that there is a very important number of different systems and devices that allow the evaluation of a condition such as temperature. For example, a thermometer can be used to identify a certain external temperature or body temperature, however, this form of identification can be ambiguous because if one thinks there is a high body temperature then you should use a thermometer to determine if there is any problem in reality and / or to verify the first presumption. Additionally, we must be aware of the individual that is intended to monitor the condition such as temperature since there is no signal or alarm that tells us when we must take a new reading, which means being in close contact with him and making measurements constants that can be annoying for both parties, especially when it comes to infants and / or senile people. In addition to that during the night the person responsible for supervision could fall asleep leaving the subject unattended.

- - In addition, such temperature measurements are normally achieved either by the use of a simple thermometer or by an electronic temperature measurement device. A simple thermometer requires that the user is aware of the activity performed and the interpretation of the result obtained as a result of the measurement, not to mention that some care is also required when applying the thermometer correctly to obtain an accurate measurement and time is needed so that the thermometer reaches the equilibrium with the body temperature of the subject. On the other hand, an electronic measuring device can be expensive and also too sophisticated to be used by anyone.

Thus, we have, for example, document US 2008/0018480 which discloses an apparatus for monitoring the body temperature of a subject and for providing a local or remote alert to a third party if the subject's temperature is determined to be abnormal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the subject refers to infants, young children, elderly people, invalids and others who are confined to a circumscribed area due to health reasons. The invention according to this document comprises: a temperature sensing device having a temperature signal transmitter and a temperature signal receiver; wherein the temperature signal transmitter transmits a signal to measure the temperature of a subject without physical contact with it; In addition, the device for temperature detection has a second signal transmitter for the transmission of the temperature measurement to a - temperature information receiver; and wherein the temperature information receiver is associated with a storage memory for storing the temperature measurement and the storage memory is configured to store a temperature value for comparison with the value of the temperature measurement. However, it is important to mention that this device uses power from an AC source and limits the portability of the device. In addition, this device can not be thought of as portable since the connection between the elements that comprise it is linked to a fixed telephone line or a cell phone but linked to a set of telephone data reception, which if fixed, which limits the use of a device of this type. Another disadvantage of this device is that it does not contemplate situations in which the measurement of temperature is limited, such as sudden and constant movements of the baby in the crib or even if the baby is completely removed from the crib.

There is also document US 5, 386,831 which describes a system for monitoring and warning of temperature via infrared that is mounted on a mechanism of rotation and inclination that allows the transducer to monitor the temperature to maintain focus on the body part of the body. a subject which is specially designed to measure the temperature. The tilt and turn mechanism has adjustable limit switches that control both the range of motion and tilt and reverse the respective driving direction of each one when the corresponding limit switch has been reached. shot. Also, it is described that a remote processing control unit receives the temperature information from the infrared transducer and stores a first temperature value and a second higher temperature value. In addition, a signal from the processing unit interrupts the energy to the turning and tilting mechanism when the first temperature value is reached and turns on the power when a lower temperature is not detected. However, it is important to note that this device has certain disadvantages such as the one that refers to the necessary adjustment that the device must have to achieve a correct measurement of the target subject's temperature, which is complicated, bulky and unhelpful, since that this device is also not designed to be portable, not to mention the large amount of space it occupies, how expensive it is and how simple it is to operate it at home.

Also, WO 2011/044573 relates to a system and method for non-invasive and remote parameter detection which includes a gel sensor, a light source, a detector and a controller. The gel sensor is in contact with the surface where the parameter is to be measured and a gel that is composed of a chemical substance that emits light through, for example, fluorescence, when excited by light at a frequency is preferable. of adequate excitement. The chemical properties of the gel sensor are such that at least one characteristic of light emission, such as, for example, emission intensity, varies as a function of the variations in the parameter that is raided. The system is especially suitable for use as a remote sensing system for body temperature in incubators and radiant warmers for babies and neonatal care. However, this document reveals that the application of a gel sensor, which must be in contact with the skin, is necessary, with the obvious problems and discomforts that this situation generates for, for example, a baby. Among the disadvantages of this device, we find that the patient or object to which the temperature is desired must be undressed and this device is also difficult to adjust and keep tight to the baby's body.

On the other hand, document US 5, 033,864, discloses an apparatus for verifying and monitoring the temperature of an infant through the use of a pacifier. The pacifier provides a radio signal to a receiving unit and detects the temperature and provides a proportional frequency signal if it is above or below preset limits. The pacifier also detects temperature variations and discriminates between normal and abnormal temperatures and automatically, transmitting only the abnormal upper or lower temperature signals to a remote radio receiving apparatus where said signals are displayed visually and / or audibly by alarms. For this case, it is relevant to mention that the pacifier can not always be held by the baby with all the complications that this entails, besides that constant and permanent monitoring of the temperature can not be guaranteed, since this is linked to the situation in which the baby is.

- Finally, US 4,471,354 discloses an apparatus and a method for remotely measuring the temperature, wherein the apparatus for transmitting temperature information to a remote receiver comprises a signal source of reference, a signal generator periodically, a test circuit, a temperature-sensitive element in thermal communication with the environment from which the temperature is to be measured and connected in circuit with said reference signal source and means connected to said test circuit. The disclosed method consists of connecting the temperature sensitive element to a reference voltage source and depending on the voltage variations registered due to a change in temperature, high frequency radio signals are transmitted warning of said change. However, this type of device uses obsolete technologies with many limitations, so this document can only be used to describe the related art.

Thus, things, it is clear that there is a need to have a system and a device to monitor and monitor these variations, specifically temperature, which is also not linked to a physical element, ie, that is portable, that also not invasive and also does not depend on any other condition of the subject to be monitored, such as their condition and / or position.

- - Summary of the Invention Given the need to monitor the variations of vital values of a subject, such as temperature, a novel device was developed which allows these changes or variations to be registered in a sensitive manner.

A further objective of the present invention is to describe mainly temperature monitoring in hospital patients who are in inadequate conditions to monitor body temperature variations on their own, such as intensive therapy patients, senile persons or some physical disability Also, another objective of the present invention is the use of the present device in pediatric surveillance, mainly infants during their first months of life and who may encounter an infectious condition that causes critical temperature variations, which at that young age results from It is very important to monitor it very closely, since drastic changes can occur in a matter of minutes and, if not detected, can cause serious brain injuries and even death.

Also, another goal is for this device to be used as another tool in the home, such as baby audio monitors.

Therefore, this invention has the following advantages: It represents a novel device with high sensitivity to temperature changes.

- - It is possible to have countless sensors such as accelerometers (capable of detecting the fall of an adult patient in the event of fainting, the fall of a baby or an infant in the bed), gyroscopes (capable of detecting movements of the subject in question), inclinometers (able to detect if a baby is face down with the possibility of suffocation).

The system is able to keep a record of measurements that can be very useful for the doctors of these patients.

This device allows programmable monitoring to obtain simultaneous records of a large number of patients.

The communication between the measuring element and the receiving element is bidirectional, that is, a parameter measurement (the temperature) can be requested from the receiver, to evaluate the patient's condition at any time as well as to check the operation of the system.

This device is compatible with commercial computer systems. Which allows to keep a detailed record of the condition of each patient or for the case of industrial applications of each system. And generate graphs and statistics useful in the analysis of information.

The device has multiple applications in the pediatric medical area, geriatric, intensive therapy, research, blood bank, cell cultures, etc.

Also, the device can be used to monitor the temperature even in other very different areas such as industrial applications for the conservation of raw material, finished product, in processes, etc.

Description of the Figures of the Invention Figure 1 is a representation of the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention showing the components comprising the element for performing the temperature measurement.

Figure 2 is a representation of the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention showing the components comprising the element for receiving information and alarms.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram representing the process that is carried out to perform the remote monitoring of the temperature of an individual.

Detailed description of the invention The invention consists of a monitoring and / or monitoring device, particularly but not exclusively, - - body temperature, which allows periodically monitor and record the body temperature remotely, that is, without the need to be together with the patient, allowing the user the freedom to attend other activities in parallel and maintain the monitoring of a very wide range of patients, as well as the devices used for this purpose.

Said remote monitoring device described in the present invention is constituted by two parts: A) An element to perform the temperature measurement remotely; Y · B) A receiving element of information, warning signs and / or warnings.

The device according to the invention can be seen represented by Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a representation of the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention showing the element for carrying out the temperature measurement. This element is comprised of a unit (15) that includes temperature sensors, accelerometer, inclinometer and gyroscope; a control and processing module (16), a radio frequency module (17) and a battery (18).

On the other hand, Figure 2 shows the element receiving information, signals and / or warnings as well as the components that comprise it. Said element for reception includes the following components; a radiofrequency module (19), a battery module (20), a control and processing module (21), a small display screen (22) and interaction buttons (23).

It is important to mention that the temperature sensors are in contact with the skin and on the other hand, the rest of the sensors are not in contact.

Also, the element for carrying out the temperature measurement is preferably equipped with a unit that also includes components for the detection of movements (accelerometer, inclinometer and gyroscope), which are used to detect abrupt, strange and / or infrequent movements of the subject within an area, which could be related to a condition of discomfort or urgency that could be going through the subject, which in the case of newborns or people with any condition, this situation could be such as, seizures, drowning or suffocation. In addition, this component serves to activate the temperature sensor.

Once the element for measuring the temperature takes information on the measured temperature of the subject in question, it also emits a radiofrequency signal with said temperature reading, which is received by the receiving element and said temperature information it is compared with the default temperature previously entered in the receiving element, for which the predefined thresholds or preferred temperature ranges are also stored. Subsequently, the receiving element determines whether it is appropriate or not to issue a warning or warning signal, comparing the information received with the - - preset in the memory of said receiving element. Also the measurement system is capable of emitting a local alarm signal, with which the system becomes more secure.

To clarify the process that takes place within the device according to the invention, Figure 3 shows a diagram of the operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention, where all the steps that are carried out between the elements that are carried out are described. they make up that device. In step 1, the process begins and the element is placed to measure the temperature in a vicinity of the subject to be measured step 2. Step 3 involves turning on the element to perform the temperature measurement and step 4 wraps the ignition of the information receiving element, which is part of the device according to the invention and which is usefully located in a remote location with respect to the element for measuring the temperature. In step 5 an important characteristic of said element is shown to perform the temperature measurement where if it is not active, a waiting time is executed, in step 6, until a connection is established between the two elements that it comprises the device according to the invention. Once the necessary synchrony between these two elements has been established, step 7 proceeds, which implies the beginning of periodic monitoring of the objective values of the subject in question. At this point, which refers to step 8 in the scheme of Figure 3, it is determined by the information receiving element whether it is appropriate, taking into account the pre-established values in it, to emit or not a warning signal or - - alarm, step 10, to warn someone who is in a remote place about the condition of the subject to whom the values are being measured, in particular, the temperature. The determination of the emission of an alert signal may imply re-requesting a value to the element that performs the temperature measurement, step 9 of the scheme, in order to re-evaluate if the value outside the pre-established range persists, in the case of the temperature, or to determine if they continue to detect frequent and uncommon movements by the subject that is being monitored. In any case, the values measured by the element to perform the temperature measurement are displayed, step 11, on the display screen that includes the apparatus for receiving information.

It is important to note that the device according to the present invention also has the capacity to periodically store data once an unusual condition is detected, either of temperature or of discomfort in the subject to be measured, with which a history can be had so that Once the patient is evaluated by a doctor, he / she has more information and more precise information about the time the patient has stayed in critical conditions, so as to be able to determine possible consequences due to a prolonged day of out of range temperatures.

Given all that has been commented previously, the invention has evidently been described sufficiently so that a person with average knowledge in the field can reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the - - present formulation. However, any person skilled in the technical field of the present invention may be able to make modifications not described in the present application, however, if for the application of these modifications in a certain structure or in the manufacturing process thereof, the matter claimed in the following claims is required, said structures should be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. - A device for remotely monitoring the temperature and other indicators of an individual characterized in that it comprises two elements: an element for measuring the temperature and a receiver element of information, warning signals and / or warnings.

2. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication between the element for carrying out the measurement and the receiving element is bi-directional, that is, a parameter measurement (the temperature) can be requested from the receiving element. , to evaluate at any time the condition of the patient as well as to check the operation of the system.

3. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that the element for performing the temperature measurement is comprised of a unit that includes temperature sensors, accelerometer, inclinometer and gyroscope; a control and processing module, a radiofrequency module and a battery module.

4. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that the element receiving information, warning signals and / or warnings is comprised of a radio frequency module, a battery module, a control and processing module, a small screen for visualization and interaction buttons.

5. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the temperature, remote information of the individual can be obtained regarding abrupt, strange and / or infrequent movements of the subject within a delimited area.

6. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that the element for performing the temperature measurement takes information on the measured temperature of the subject in question and emits a radiofrequency signal with said reading of the temperature, which is received by the receiving element and said temperature information is compared with the default temperature previously entered in the receiving element.

7. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that when turning on the element to perform the temperature measurement and the information receiving element, both are put in synchrony and establish a link for the exchange of information between they.

8. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that the information receiving element determines the emission of an alert signal based on the result of the detected measurement and can request a value again from the element performing the measurement of the temperature, in order to reevaluate if the value outside the pre-established range persists, in the case of temperature, or to determine if they continue to detect frequent and uncommon movements by the subject to whom it is being monitored.

9. - The device for remotely monitoring the temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that it also has the ability to periodically store data once an unusual condition of either temperature or discomfort is detected in the subject to be measured, thereby You can have a history of information so that once the patient is evaluated by a doctor, he or she will have precise information about the time the patient has stayed in critical conditions, so as to be able to determine possible consequences due to a prolonged day of temperatures outside. of rank. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for monitoring or monitoring indicators and / or changes in the values of a relevant medical condition present in a patient, such as temperature, which comprises two elements: an element for measuring the temperature and an element receiving information, warning signals and / or warnings. The device according to the present invention takes a measurement of data, processes it sends it, receives it and determines the issuance of an alert or alarm in case the information collected leaves pre-established and / or conventional parameters. The device according to the invention is extremely useful for monitoring variations, particularly but not exclusively, of temperature that a living mammal could present, especially patients in intensive therapy, infants, senile and / or with some disability, as well as the sending of an alert signal by means of an alarm element to a remote receiving unit so that said signal is registered and an action consequent with the interpretation of the issued result is exercised.