GB2500689A

GB2500689A - Medical monitor comprising electronic paper display

Info

Publication number: GB2500689A
Application number: GB1205647.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Hopkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2012-03-30
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Also published as: GB201205647D0

Abstract

A medical monitor comprises an e-paper display 20, and a display controller, the display controller including means to receive a signal from at least one physiological sensor device. The signal may be carried by wires or by wireless means, and the physiological sensor devices may include a pulse sensor, respiratory frequency sensor, diastolic and systolic blood pressure sensors, body thermometer, and any other sensor which is considered helpful to assist in the care of a person. The medical monitor may comprise a box with at least one compartment provided within the box for storing physiological sensors when not in use (fig. 3). Alternatively the medical monitor may comprise a box formed when the medical monitor is folded with the e-paper display on an exterior surface of the box. The box may be unfolded so that it is flat for storage; folded into a box so that sensors and accessories can be stored; or unfolded and hung from a hospital bed (fig 5-7). Alternatively the e-paper display may be rolled into a tube for storage. End caps may be provided to define a space within which sensors may be stored when not in use (fig. 8-11). The e-paper display may comprise attachment means, such as Velcro (RTM), for hanging the display.

Description

MEDICAL MONITOR

The present invention relates to a medical monitor, and particularly but not exclusively to a low-cost and lightweight medical monitor for use in disaster relief.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Medical monitors are well known, and typically comprise of a display which shows readings from several sensors. The sensors will typically measure pulse rate, respiratory frequency, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Some devices may also measure and display body temperature, blood oxygenation, cardiac output, CO2 concentration, and a range of other health-related metrics.

Readings from the sensors are typically displayed on a CRT, LED or LCD display.

All of these display technologies require significant power to operate and may be easily damaged in transit. These factors make existing devices unsuited for use in many disaster relief or military applications, where many medical monitor devices may need to be transported at short notice for use in a facility where reliable mains power is not available.

A further disadvantage of the use of the above display technologies in medical monitoring devices is the high cost of manufacture. The units may be too costly to stockpile in anticipation of transit to a disaster area. Due to the weight of existing displays. transportation may be prohibitively difficult and expensive.

It is an object of this invention to provide a medical monitor which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a medical monitor comprising a display and a display controller, the display comprising at least in part of c-paper, and the display controller including means to receive a signal from at least one physiological sensor device.

An e-paper display provides several advantages over CRT, LED and LCD display technologies. An c-paper display consumes power only when the image on the display is refreshed. Therefore the overall power consumption of the device when attached to a patient in a reasonably stable condition will be small, since the display wifl only consume power when the reading from one of the sensors changes. An e-paper display is lightweight and deformable. This facilitates cost-effective transportation of the device with a low risk of damage.

An integral battery may be provided for powenng the display and display controller.

Provision of a battery obviates the need for an external power supply, which is especially advantageous in areas where no reliable mains supply is available.

One or more physiological sensor devices may be provided for measuring vital signs of a human body. The physiological sensor device or devices may measure pulse rate, respiratory frequency, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, or any other metric which is considered advantageous for facilitating the care of a patient.

The signal or signals from the physiological sensor device or devices may be received by the display controller by means of a cable. This arrangement serves to further prolong battery life by removing the need for radio transmission and receiving apparatus, and also does not require a separate power supply to be provided to the sensors.

The signal or signals from the physiological sensor device or devices may alternatively be received by the display controller by wireless means. Wireless communication between the sensor and display serves to mininilse the encumbrance on the patient and upon carers which would otherwise be caused by cables. This advantage is particularly important where the patient may need to be moved quickly.

Wireless signals also allow the display to be placed at some distance from the patient, enabling multiple patients to be monitored from a single position where necessary.

The wireless means may conform to the Bluetooth (RTM) standard. The Bluetooth (RTM) standard is well-known, and medical sensors conforming to this standard are

I

already widely available. Bluetooth (RTM) therefore provides the advantage of compatibility with existing equipment.

The signal or signals from the physiological sensor device or devices may be sent via an intermediate device. The intermediate device may contain a battery or other means to power the sensors, and may also contain a radio transmitter in the case where the display will receive a wireless signal. The intermediate device may therefore allow wireless operation of the display, whilst not requiring an individual power source in each individual sensor, The battery powering the display and display controller may be rechargeable. Where a rechargeable battery is provided, a connection may be provided to charge the battery from an external power source. The battery may therefore be charged without removing it from the device, and the medical monitor may be used continuously for an indefinite period whilst connected to a power supply, even if the power supply is only intermittently available, The battery powering the display and display controller may be removable and replaceable. This allows the device to be used for an indefinite period as long as replacement batteries are available.

A protective cover may be provided to prevent damage to the screen. Whilst e-paper is intrinsically deformable, it is susceptible to damage by sharp objects. A protective cover reduces this risk.

A medical monitor as described in any of the above paragraphs may further comprise of a box, which may be folded from a lamina net.

A box folded from a lamina net has the advantage that it may be folded flat in order that it requires minimal space during storage and transportation, but when folded into a box can be used to store accessories, for example compatible sensors, cables and spare batteries.

The box may be made from cardboard or from plastics. Cardboard is cheap, lightweight and easily recyclable. Plastics are water resistant.

Where a box forms part of the device, the c-paper display may be mounted on an exterior face of the box. Alternatively, the c-paper display may be mounted inside the box for protection. The box may enclose the display controller and, where one is provided, the battery.

One or more compartments may be provided in the box which are sized and shaped to securely store sensor devices when they are not in use. In this way, a single unit houses all the essential components of the monitor, and may also house additional accessories such as sensors and spare batteries.

Attachment means may be provided for hanging the monitor, for example. from the end of a bed. A monitor which can be attached to a patient's bed is advantageous over a freestanding monitor since it minirnises the floor space which is taken up by a single patient with associated monitoring equipment, and therefore allows more patients to be looked after in any particular facility.

The attachment means may comprise of at least one strap. A strap is lightweight and easy to use, whilst providing secure attachment to the end of a hospital bed.

The strap or straps may comprise at least in part of hook and ioop fasteners, such as Velcro (RTM). Hook and thop fasteners provide a fastening which can be engaged and released easily and quickly.

Where a box is a component part of the device, the means of attachment to, for example, the end of a hospital bed may be provided as an integral part of the lamina net of the box. This further reduces the manufacturing costs, since no additional straps need to be attached.

Alternatively, the c-paper display may be rolled into a tube for storage. End caps may be provided which, when placed upon opposing ends of the tube, define a space within which physiological sensor devices can be stored when not in use.

DESCRTPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a medical monitor; Figure 2 shows the medical monitor of Figure 1 hung on the end of a hospital bed; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the medical monitor of Figure 1 with the lid open; Figure 4 shows a selection of physiological sensor devices; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a medical monitor; Figure 6 shows the medical monitor of Figure 5 hung on the end of a hospital bed; Figure 7 shows a perspective front view of the medical monitor of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a medical monitor; Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the medical monitor of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows the medical monitor of Figure 8 in the process of being unrolled; Figure II shows the medical monitor of Figure 8 hung on the end of a hospital bed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a medical monitor is shown generally at 10. The medical monitor 10 compnses a cardboard box 12 having a lid 14, front, rear, left and right walls 15, 16, 17, 18 and a floor 19. An c-paper display is fixed to the outer surface of the lid 14. The c-paper display comprises of an upper left region 16, an upper right region 18, a lower left region 20 and a lower right region 22 showing respectively respiratory frequency, body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure. The respiratory frequency display 22 and the pulse rate display 26 both include a graph showing the history of the metric over time. AU four display regions show the current value of the metric.

A display controller is provided on a flexible printed circuit board 34 which is attached to the inside of the rear wall 16 and floor 19 of the box 12. The display controller receives a wireless signal from at least one physiological sensor device, and updates the display if necessary to show the up-to-date reading from the sensor.

First and second straps 30. 32 are provided for hanging the monitor on, for example, the end of a hospital bed as shown in Figure 2. The straps 30, 32 are fixed at one end to the rear wall 16 of the box 12, and are free at the other end, Hook and loop fastenings are provided on the straps to allow quick fastening and release of the straps.

A foam insert 36 is provided on the inside of the box 12. The foam insert is rectangular in shape and is sized to just fit within the box 12 between the walls 15. 16, 17, 18. The foam insert has first and second rectangular cut-outs 40, 42 for housing respectively a battery and an armband 52 for measuring diastolic blood pressure. The foam insert 36 has four additional circular cut-outs 44, 46, 48, 50 for housing pulse sensor 54, respiratory monitor pad 56, systolic blood pressure monitor pad 58 and body temperature sensor 60. The pulse sensor 54 is for use on the wrist, and the respiratory monitor pad 56 and systolic pressure monitor pad 58 are for use on the chest. The sensors are colour coded for ease of identification.

The first rectangular cut-out 40 is at the rear centre of the foam insert 36, its width parallel to the rear wall 16 of the box 12 being approximately twice its height parallel to the sides 17, 18 of the box 12. The second rectangular cut-out 42 is positioned centrally between the side walls 17, 18 of the box 12, further towards the front wall 15 than the first cut-out 40, and has a slightly shorter width parallel to the rear wall 16 than the first cut-out 40. The four circular cut-outs 44, 46, 48, 50 are arranged on an arc further towards the front of the box than the two rectangular cut-outs 40, 42, the concave side of the arc facing the rear wall 16 of the box 12.

Referring now to Figures 5-7, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 80. Similar to the first embodiment 10, a box is provided. In this embodiment, the box is formed from a net 82 comprising a top section 86, front, rear.

left and right wall sections 88, 90, 92, 94 and a bottom section 96. The front, rear, left and right sections 88, 90, 92, 94 sulTound the top section. The bottom section 96 is adjacent to the rear section 90 and is made of two subsections, a rear bottom subsection 98 and a front bottom subsection 100. The bottom section 96 is scored between the subsections 98, 100 so that the net can easily be folded along this line.

The box may be unfolded in use and, when this is done, the front floor section may be folded over the end of, for example, a hospital bed to support the monitor. A housing 102 is attached to the inner surface of the front bottom subsection 100. The housing 102 contains a battery and a display controller and acts a counterweight so that the monitor 80 can be hung over the edge of a bed without the use of straps, A display 84 is provided on the outer surface of the top section 86, and is approximately 100mm x 100mm in size. The display is connected to the display controller in the housing 102 via a flexible cable 104.

RefelTing now to Figures 8-11, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 110. In this embodiment, a medical monitor comprises a flexible display 112, first and second straps 114, 116, and a display controller PCB 118. The straps 114, 116 are attached to one edge of the flexible display 112. Hook and loop fastenings are provided on the straps 114, 116.

The display may be rolled into a cylinder for storage, and may be retained in this condition by the use of the first and second straps 114, 116. First and second end caps 120, 122 are provided which may be pushed into the ends of the cylinder formed by the rolled-up display 112.

Monitor pads 124. 126. 128, 130, and an armband for measuring diastolic Hood pressure 132 may then be stored within the cylinder between the end caps 120, 122.

%\rhefl unrolled, the display may be hung by its straps from the end of a bed, as shown in Figure ii.

The first, second, and third embodiments described above all provide the advantages of a medical monitoring device which is lightweight and thw cost, due to the use of an e-paper display.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A medical monitor comprising a display and a display controller, the display comprising at least in part of c-paper, and the display controller including means to receive a signal from at least one physiological sensor device.
2. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 1, in which a battery is provided for powering the display and display controller.
3. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 1, in which physiological sensor devices are provided for measuring vital signs of a human body.
4. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of the physiological sensor devices measures pulse rate.
5, A medical monitor as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of the physiological sensor devices measures respiratory frequency.
6. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of the physiological sensor devices measures diastolic blood pressure.
7. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of the physiological sensor devices measures systolic blood pressure.
8. A medical monitor as dairned in chim I, in which the signal is received from at least one physiological sensor device by means of a cable.
9. A medical monitor as claimed in claim I, in which the signal is received from at east one physiological sensor device by wireless means.
10. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 9. in which the wireless means conform to the Bluetooth (RTM) standard.
11. A medical monitor as claimed in claim i, in which the signal from the physiological sensor device or devices is sent via an intermediate device.
12. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 2, in which the battery is rechargeable.
13. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 12. in which a connection is provided to charge the battery from an external power source.
14. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 2, in which the battery is removable and replaceable.
15. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 1, in which a protective cover is provided to prevent damage to the screen.
16. A medical monitor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising of a box.
17. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 16, in which the box is folded from a lamina net.
18. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 16, in which the box is made from cardboard.
19. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 16, in which the box is made from plastics.
20. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 16, in which the display is mounted on an exterior surface of the box.
21. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 16, in which the box encloses the display controller and, where dependent on claim 2, the battery.
22. A medical monitor as claimed in daim 16, in which at least one compartment is provided within the box for storing physiological sensor devices when they are not in use.
23. A medical monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which attachment means are provided for hanging the monitor, for examp'e, from the end of a bed.
24. A medical monitor as daimed in claim 23, in which the attachment means consist of at least one strap.
25. A medical monitor as daimed in claim 24, in which the straps comprise at least in part of hook and loop fasteners, such as Vdcro (RTM).
26. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 23 when dependent on claim 17, in which the attachment means are an integral part of the lamina net.
27. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 1, in which the display can be rolled into a tube for storage.
28. A medical monitor as claimed in claim 27, in which end caps are provided which, when placed upon opposing ends of the tube, define a space within which physiological sensor devices can be stored when not in use.
29. A medical monitor substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.II