JP2007296326A - System and method for monitoring posture and movement - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and method for monitoring a posture and movement of a patient. <P>SOLUTION: Networks for constituting devices in various levels detect data, process and transmit the data between the constituting devices, and self-organize into pier group layers of the constituting devices to perform tasks or functions for monitoring a posture and movement of a patient. A general pier group includes various lower level pier groups with constituting devices. Detections, calculations, data variances, or communication tasks of various levels are performed by adjustment of functions such as communication and others between a plurality of relatively simple constituting devices of the networks. Tasks and functions of network constituting devices are adjusted by using communication protocols of symmetric and asymmetric codes and others. When a posture and movement out of a tolerance range is detected, an alarm signal of warning or others may be transmitted to the patient, a doctor and other carers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

Disclosure details

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(Field of the Invention)
The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring patient posture and movement, and in particular, using a network of component devices located within, on, around, or in combination with a patient posture and movement. It relates to a system and method for monitoring parameters. Devices dynamically self-organize and communicate with each other in the network to adjust the function of individual devices and optimize the overall function of the network.

[Related technologies]
The sensing of the positions of body parts such as limbs, torso, and head in therapeutic measures is generally performed by simple observation. Doctors take patient postures and these notes may become part of the patient's exam records and medical history. Such notes taken during serial examination can be invaluable information about gradual or sudden changes in patient movement and posture. In many cases, such as movement disorders, body rehabilitation after injury, exercise, or during treatments that affect posture, continuous information on these important health indicators is very useful in the diagnosis and treatment process . Among these benefits are physicians who can diagnose movement disorders early and decide on the appropriate medication or other therapies used to treat movement disorders. In addition, monitoring posture and movement provides information that assists in the medical care of mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, related to the determination of psychological states both before and during treatment. Continuous exercise and posture monitoring is also conducted through interviews with patients, their families, patients and close caregivers. For early diagnosis and more accurate treatment, a more reliable, qualitatively accurate and quantitative system is highly desirable.

  Continuously monitoring posture and movement is a tremendous task. One challenge in building such a continuous monitoring system is to keep the monitor out of the way in everyday life. Since the monitor is present during daily activities, the monitor is ideally very small, light and preferably hidden to reduce unnecessary detection. At the same time, the monitor is ideally easy to operate, reset, restart or replace. The patient should not be at risk because of the continuous monitor. These functional requirements require a very simple, compact design, highly automated functions, and low manufacturing and service costs. However, medical devices that measure and record complex data such as posture and movement for a long time are generally bulky, complex and expensive. Such medical devices typically contained sensing, computing, communication, data storage and other modules. Furthermore, such medical devices tend to be complex and expensive to maintain, often requiring setup and service by trained technicians. Failure of such conventional posture and motion monitoring systems often resulted in the entire system being sent back to the manufacturer or otherwise handed over to a trained technician for service or repair. Such service and repair of the system could lead to loss of diagnostic and / or treatment time and, if necessary, system service and repair expenses, including transportation costs.

  In each of the above cases, conventional posture and movement systems are generally complicated. This complexity increases the likelihood of system failure. Such complex medical devices can fail, for example, in any of sensing, computing, communicating or data storage behavior modes. Failure of any one of these modes can lead to a significant loss of functionality, which can further compromise patient health. This is particularly a problem when only one device is responsible for maintaining the monitoring function. The loss of the function of any one component of such a device can have a significant negative impact on patient health.

  In addition, a single device may have limited ability to collect detailed posture and movement data. In general, it is desirable to have information about the relative positions and movements of all limbs, torso, head, neck, so that the limbs or body parts of the limbs or body parts are less than devices that monitor the position or movement of the limbs or body parts. It is preferred to have a more robust system that collects and processes data relating to more than one position and movement. This requires a sensor system that can collect data regarding one or more, preferably all actual positions, of the patient's various limbs and body parts.

  Continuous monitoring of patient posture and movement requires a device architecture that is different from traditional complex device designs. The various functions of many conventional medical devices can be conveniently separated into several separate devices. Some of these devices can be worn on the body, others can be placed in the patient's environment, and others can be implanted in the patient. For example, one separate device can be implanted in one part of the body to perform sensing and communication functions, and another separate device can be attached and worn on other parts of the body to perform communication and calculation functions. A third separate device can be placed in the monitored patient's environment for communication and data storage functions.

  In view of all these observations, there is a need for a more durable medical device that is configured to have even higher functionality than current complex devices.

[Summary of the Invention]
The system and method of the present invention includes a network of component devices that are implanted in a patient's body, externally attached to the patient's body, placed in an environment where the patient's body exists, or a combination thereof. Consists of Once the component device is deployed to the patient, it dynamically self-organizes within the network of devices to perform individual and collective functions for the patient. At a minimum, each device communicates with at least one other device within range of each other. In addition, each device communicates with other devices within its range, calculates and stores data, distributes data, and in some cases communicates between multiple devices beyond that range, or Alerts or other alerts can be issued from the network using an appropriate communication protocol.

  Within this specification, each component device referred to as a “device” or “peer device” is placed in, on or around a patient to establish a communication link with other component devices within its communication range. Some devices in the network are directly connected to each other and exchange data directly. Since the other devices in the network are not directly connected, the message hopping, i.e., sending and receiving messages through a chain of intervening components, or pipes using the appropriate communication protocol Exchange data or communicate indirectly through line operations. All component devices linked with a direct or indirect communication protocol can exchange messages with each other through various component devices belonging to the same network or array of devices.

  Each component device can have a single function or a combination of functions. For example, some component devices operate primarily as sensing units within the network. Such sensing units are primarily responsible for measuring the position of the respective body part of the patient relative to other component devices located in, on or around the patient's body. The measured data is then communicated to other component devices within the communication range of the sensing unit. The other component devices in the network then process this data and, depending on the case, activate the functions of the other component devices. Other components can have a combination of sensing and computing functions and can have the ability to partially process raw sensing data locally. The component device can also perform other functions. Preferably, however, each component device has at least the ability to measure. That is, each component device senses the distance to at least two other component devices in the network and basic communication functions (eg, the ability to send and receive commands) within the network of component devices including medical devices. Thus, a medical device comprised of a network of such component devices can monitor the relative positions and movements of various limbs and body parts based on continuous data obtained from its sensing unit. , Such data is then analyzed and communicated to other component devices to perform functions based on the sensed data.

  A network of such components with built-in sensing, computing and communication functions can have functions beyond passive monitoring. A network of such components can continuously monitor patient posture and movement patterns, and then process and analyze raw data collected from individual sensors to detect patient posture and movement patterns . Detected posture / motor patterns can be used to diagnose or monitor various situations such as heart failure, lack of attention, high blood pressure, etc., or display a worsening of the patient's situation or the patient's detected In view of posture and movement, it can be used to confirm the suitability of a drug, treatment or training therapy. Sleep research can also be conducted using a posture / motion monitoring system consisting of a network of component devices. Anyway, if, for example, a pattern is detected that indicates that the patient is at risk, one or more component devices in the network may alert the patient, physician, or other caregiver about the risk, or Other warning signals can be issued. The patient can be treated appropriately. Such therapeutic measures may be, for example, drug therapy or dose changes, patient-related orthopedics, or other device adjustments, or therapy changes.

  In general, a distributed posture / motion monitor system includes a number of components distributed in, on or around a patient. Some, many or all components have sensing capabilities and are often inclinometers and accelerometers. However, the component device can also include other types of sensors, such as sensors that measure muscle tension, skin temperature, air or fluid flow over the skin, torsion, and the like. A number of component devices preferably communicate with each other wirelessly, but wired communication is also readily possible.

  Such distributed posture and motion monitoring system components have at least one minimum communication capability that allows communication with at least one other device in their network. This minimal communication link allows the component devices to send and receive information that is considered at the various remaining levels of the network. The component device thus operates as a system component within the entire network of component devices, rather than merely as a free device. As a component of the network, a large number of components can contribute to the overall device communication, computation, data storage and alerting functions and adjust or fine tune their sensing functions according to dynamically changeable system level requirements. (E.g., adjusting frequency, range of data collection function or resolution). Due to changes in the posture or movement of the patient being monitored, it is often necessary to adjust the component level network.

  Some of the component devices, particularly devices that are primarily responsible for detecting posture or movement, are fundamental to determine their position in three-dimensional space relative to at least two other component devices in the network. Use triangulation methods. Such a search technique can be performed using, for example, ultrasonic or high-frequency techniques. Some ultrasound or high frequency based search techniques require the component to actively participate in triangulation using a built-in power source. In other ultrasound or radio frequency based search techniques, the component device may remain passive during position measurement, whereby the signal transmitted from one device is received by the other device and sent back to the transmitting device. . Their passive motion is suitable for devices that need to be very small and light by being in a unique position relative to the patient (eg a component device placed on the finger or eyelid).

  At least some of the components in the network have computing and data storage functions and support the distribution of computing functions throughout the network. By distributing computing functions throughout the network in this way, the computation or storage function of the individual components is relatively small and thus energetically and spatially efficient, while providing substantial and overall functionality within the network. Enable the calculation function. The components placed on the patient's body, where the space and weight requirements are not very limited with respect to the monitored patient's body, provide the majority of the computational resources of the network, but are space and weight Other components arranged in more limited locations have a minimum built-in calculation function, thereby reducing size and weight.

  The component device further comprises some form of built-in power supply to support such computing or communication functions. Of course, when active calculations are performed, more power is required in the component device performing the calculation function. Such power sources can be equipped with various battery technologies often used in medical instruments or small devices. Alternatively, power can be provided directly or indirectly from the patient's body, and the component device can take in energy from temperature differences, exercise, or chemical or electrical energy generated within the patient. Of course, some components are totally passive and thus have no built-in power. Such passive component devices can be configured, for example, as RFID type tags.

  In order to collect patient posture and movement data, a network of component devices is mapped to the patient's body. The component device can be placed in, on or around the patient, or some combination thereof. The specific body part or general body part to be monitored helps to determine where the component is located for the patient. In order to calculate the position of the monitored body part or part, a sensor location map can be created after the sensing component is placed against the patient's body. The map can be stored on one or more components, or stored on a computer connected separately in a network, as an ongoing reference when continuous monitoring of patient posture and movement is performed used.

  One method for mapping a patient's body is to measure the distance between a marker on the patient's body and various components placed in, on or around the patient's body. This distance is recorded and stored for future reference to continued measurements detected by the network. More complex and semi-automated automated means of recording such maps can also be used. In any case, the created map is preferably stored in an independent computer connected to the network or one or more components of the network.

  While mapping of such a patient's body with a component device is beneficial, such mapping is not necessary for relevant real-time measurements to baseline or reference measurements. Rather, the sensing data collected by the component device can be adapted to the patient's condition without using a sensor location map. Instead, measurements detected by one or more component devices that fall within a range of values are recognized as "acceptable patient conditions" and measurements outside the specified range are recognized as "unacceptable patient conditions" As such, an acceptable measurement range can be provided in the component device. An “unacceptable patient condition” is communicated to the component having an alarm signal to alert the patient or caregiver that an unacceptable posture or movement has occurred in the patient's body. Thereby, the patient or the caregiver can take appropriate therapeutic measures. The network of devices can be trained in this way to recognize what measurements and combinations are safe for the patient and what readings will give an alarm. Such training can be performed by a patient, healthcare provider, family member, or other caregiver. During such training, the trainer can provide feedback online or offline to the network of devices.

  In practice, the distributed posture / motion monitor network of the component device detects the patient's posture and motion pattern. The detected posture / movement pattern can be used, for example, to indicate the progression of the disease or to manifest the onset of undesirable or dangerous side effects of the administered drug. By detecting a posture or movement pattern that is outside the predetermined acceptable range of posture and movement patterns, it is often found that it is desirable to change the drug therapy or dosage or change the treatment method. Ideally, a set of components is distributed in the patient's body, attached to the patient, or surrounding the patient or the environment in which the patient is located (eg, a wheelchair, bed, or room), or a combination thereof Is done. The component device is preferably wireless, but a wired device can also be used. When placed in the proper location for the patient, the component device establishes a communication network using the communication and security means described herein.

  The individual positions of the component device can be geometrically mapped to the patient's body. As described above, such mapping is optional and can be initiated at the physician's discretion based on the individual medical condition of the patient and the need for monitoring. Alternatively, the physician can set certain criteria by which the device network initiates an alarm sequence. For patients and doctors, a simple way to enter such alarm criteria is to have a movement pattern that the doctor considers noticeable or even dangerous (for example, hand tremors, constant inability to move, or movement of a given body part for a given period of time). Lack of). Thereafter, monitoring of the patient's posture and movement begins. Data collected by a network of component devices is sent to a physician for analysis or communicated throughout the network. Data collection is repeated if the posture / motion pattern is within an acceptable range as determined by comparison with the patient's baseline mapping or others. If the posture / movement pattern is unacceptable as determined by patient baseline mapping or other comparisons, such detected values are communicated between component devices to generate alarms or other warning signals. . Of course, data collected by the network of component devices can be sent to the physician and communicated throughout the network to repeat or generate alarms or other alerts as detailed above.

  Communication links between component devices in the network support the propagation of data between the component devices in the network, and the various component devices depend on the sensed physiological parameters, i.e. the posture or movement of the patient or the environment in which the patient is located. Help control functions. By this data propagation, various tasks can be assigned among many components constituting the network. The functional capabilities of individual devices cannot perform complex functions, but due to the task assignments between the various devices in the context of the network, the network of devices can perform complex calculations, communications, energy management, or other functions. Can be performed. For example, by assigning calculation tasks between a sufficiently large number of component devices, even if the built-in calculation capability of each component device is greatly limited, complex tasks can be performed.

  The assignment of tasks among the components in the network is a dynamic process to accommodate the dynamically changing state and physiological parameters of the patient or the environment in which the patient is located. When a component loses full or partial function, it is destroyed or removed, or when a new device is introduced into the network, the task assignment between the currently operating devices is the component of the network By self-organizing and achieving the desired tasks and subtasks in a timely and efficient manner, it adapts to the new network configuration and the availability of resources in the actual network. The self-organization method of component devices in the network described herein increases the overall medical device adaptability for the patient to sense, calculate and communicate data between component devices.

  The assignment of tasks, subtasks, etc. between component devices is preferably guided by a communication protocol, and in view of the simple array of component devices that make up such a network, task assignments must be ensured to make the network efficient. Optimize. Thus, a communication protocol is provided that allows managed communication between component devices and, in some cases, excludes other devices. For example, to address a desired component device, one component device can address a message to a specific component device within its communication range, rather than broadcasting a message through the entire network. The disadvantages of such network-wide broadcast protocols are self-evident and are minimized by the peer-specific communication protocols of the system and method of the present invention. Such peer-specific communication protocols preferably use virtual identifiers for each component device, highlighting the need for anonymity and accountability requirements.

  In this way, the component devices that make up the network of devices of the entire medical device according to the system and method of the present invention incorporate a communication pipeline within the network to communicate the assignment of individual tasks to each of the various component devices. . Further, the component device can send a message to other component devices outside its communication range. Sending a message from a component device to one or more component devices beyond the communication range of the source component device can be done through a chain of intermediate component devices. Thus, by ensuring that the message reaches the intended receiving component, the network is not flooded with messages. In addition, the component devices preferably perform local communication scheduling, thereby enabling reliable direct communication without collision between target component devices using the same communication link. For this reason, the communication link between the devices is preferably assigned so that the receiving component listens to the same channel used by the sending component that sends the message. In addition, communication of component devices using the same channel should be suitably scheduled to minimize the possibility of message collisions, i.e., one or more component devices sending messages simultaneously through the same channel. . In this way, the component devices also preferably perform task assignment and scheduling so that tasks are assigned to the appropriate component devices, and each component device assigns the task to the desired task with as few resources as possible according to service quality requirements and risk estimates. To be scheduled to be achieved. In addition, the component devices can be suitably assigned and scheduled to minimize energy consumption and use of critical resources, thereby reducing the overall “cost” of operating a medical device with the system and method of the present invention. To do.

  Thus, the network of component devices generally comprises a hierarchy of peer groups at various levels of peer devices that collectively constitute an overall peer group. The total peer group further constitutes the medical device of the system and method of the present invention. Each peer group level is assigned a task or function to perform. Peer devices within a peer group are further formed as sub-peer groups composed of sub-peer devices, resolving sub-tasks or sub-functions, and finally performing the tasks or functions of the overall peer group more efficiently . The sub-peer devices of the sub-peer group further form a sub-sub-peer group composed of sub-sub-peer devices, perform sub-sub-tasks or sub-sub-functions, etc., and finally perform the target task or function of the total peer group. Do. Thus, each level of the peer group is a logical group of devices that can be in, on or around the patient, or some combination thereof, sense, communicate, calculate, distribute, and based on such data To produce a therapeutic effect. As those skilled in the art understand, although the various levels are not specifically shown here, the reference number of the peer group indicates the total peer group of the medical device because of the context of the medical device described herein, Reference signs such as peer group, sub-peer group, or sub-sub-peer group indicate various levels of devices, sub-devices, sub-sub-devices associated with each task or function, sub-task or sub-function, or sub-sub-task or sub-sub-function, etc. It is understood to include.

  Peer devices within the same peer group do not need to be physically close to each other and need not have similar capabilities (eg, sensing, computing, etc.), but can communicate tasks and functions between peer devices in the peer group. It is usually preferred to have at least a chain of peer devices in the group. Furthermore, it is usually preferred to have one or more peer devices with a given capability within a peer group for each necessary task or function of the peer group. Tasks and functions here refer to transferring data from one peer device to another, performing certain calculations on the data, sensing certain parameters, or providing certain alarms or other signaling effects. It can be any activity like that. Peer devices in the peer group, sub-peer devices in the sub-peer group, etc. are placed in, on, or around the patient to perform various tasks or functions detailed herein. Execution of the task of the integrated peer group begins when all of the various tasks or subtasks are accepted and performed by appropriately corresponding peer devices and sub-peer devices of various levels of peer groups within the integrated peer group . By making inclusive assignments of the various tasks prior to the execution of the overall peer group task, the lowest level of trust between the various levels of peer devices within the peer group prior to the final execution of the peer group task. And achievement of reliability is guaranteed. By inclusive assignment of tasks prior to the execution of peer group tasks, the various tasks can be sequenced among various components that have the ability and resources to efficiently execute properly assigned tasks. , Increasing the efficiency of peers performing various assigned tasks. When the peer group task is ready to be executed in this way, the peer device or sub-peer device, etc. receives and processes the data according to the optimized sequence and schedule, and starts the assigned task or function. , Achieve the desired sensing and detection, warning and other effects. In this way, each device includes data, algorithms, and protocols that allow processing of some or all of the data distributed within the network, and can exchange, modify, or reconstruct some or all of the data. And can autonomously assign data storage, computation, communication, energy supply, clocking, sensing, and delivery of signaling effects from various devices in the network.

  Various levels of device tasks, subtasks, etc. can be rare but one-time tasks, but can be tasks that can be repeatedly executed at a given restart time. In the former case, the task can be solved with a single chain of peers where each peer trusts its successor peer. However, the failure of one device can break the chain and stop the execution of the task until the chain is resaved. However, in the latter case, a single chain of peer devices may not be sufficient to perform the intended task within the time allotted before the task is restarted. However, this shortage can be overcome by enabling the downstream component device to continue the execution of the desired task while restarting the execution of the same task by the upstream component device through pipeline communication between the component devices. . This latter situation can occur, for example, when the momentum calculated by some peer devices is determined every 1 ms based on the sensing information sensed by some peer devices every 1 ms. However, the calculation amount of the movement takes 1 ms or more based on the obtained sensing information. In this case, the task is called a pipeline task, and is optimally performed by a pipeline operation that allows execution of the current task even if another similar task is started.

  Survibable Pipeline Protocols (SPPs) organize and maintain various levels of peer groups without having a central coordinator in the network of devices to facilitate such pipeline tasks. Provide a framework to perform to help accomplish such pipeline tasks or work. As such, the SPP is an indication of the availability of peer devices occurring in, around, and around the patient, for example, when a peer device fails or when a new peer device is introduced into the network. Allow peers to respond to changes. Thus, the SPP protocol provides a framework for adding, removing or reorganizing peer groups of devices without a central coordinator in the network of peer devices. In this way, the network of peer devices provides varying levels of availability, performance, reliability of peer devices, availability of newly introduced peer devices, or processing speed, performance sequence of tasks, etc. Respond continuously to changes in task requirements, such as the amount or type of signal effect to be made, without relying on a central regulator. Introducing the central adjustment device may lead to organizational destruction and loss of the functions of the entire network if the function of the central adjustment device is lost, thus weakening the network and reducing the possibility of survival.

  In general, a task of a general peer group is completed when all tasks or functions, subtasks or subfunctions of various levels of peer groups within the general peer group are executed. After the execution of the task, the peer device involved in the execution of the task can update the relationship between other peer devices. Of course, upon completing the performed task, the same update of the relationship between the sub-peer devices is performed as well.

  Ideally, the component device is prepared to evaluate the risks associated with assigning a task or part of a task to any peer device. Thereby, on the one hand, the configuration device can select a set of other configuration devices that are most likely to complete the given task and direct the tasks related to transmission to this subset of peer devices. Can do.

  The component devices can communicate with each other through uncertain media such as wireless channels. However, since information exchanged between devices may include confidential data dedicated for communication, in addition to basic security measures related to data integrity and confidentiality, some anonymity and It is preferable to be responsible. Anonymity cannot identify component devices after sending information (for example, information cannot be traced back to the source), and a virtual identifier (for example, an identification code included in communication from the device) is used as the source device. You need to be unable to link to or trace back. Thus, anonymity provides an additional layer of security for information communicated between devices in the network, making it difficult to target attacks on individual component devices in the network. Responsibility, on the other hand, requires that components that stop functioning according to network operating procedures and rules be identified and removed or disconnected from the network without compromising the effectiveness of the remaining components in the network. . Anonymity and accountability are ultimately mutually exclusive requirements. However, partial reconciliation of those requirements is also possible and is considered herein. Anonymity and responsibility can thus be extended to all components of the network, including components, patients, doctors, caregivers.

  Direct communication between peer devices is based on asymmetric and symmetric encryption. Asymmetric ciphers are initially used to establish a reliable and secure communication channel between peers, while symmetric ciphers are later used during data communication. The Pretty Good Privacy protocol is an example of an asymmetric and symmetric cipher that provides message integrity, confidentiality, authentication, non-repudiation, anonymity, and access control. Another example is “Anonymous but Responsible Self-Organizing Communities (AASOC),” which extends the lead list with responsibility. Numerous other methods based on asymmetric and symmetric cryptography are also known.

Corresponding levels of peer devices within a common peer group, sub-peer group, thus communicate with each other through a cryptographic relationship, establish a trust web between devices in the network, and use a survivable pipeline protocol To establish a hierarchy of self-organizing devices at various levels, perform and maintain tasks or functions ranked by devices within a peer group, and update trust relationships between devices. The general peer group then performs its intended task or function. They include sensing or detecting patient posture and movement, their analysis, providing alarms or other signaling based on sensed physiological parameters, and data transmission occurring within various levels of devices and peers in the overall peer group. And there is a calculation. As such, cryptography and survivable pipeline protocols are used to communicate data between various levels of self-organized peer devices within at least one integrated peer group within the network of medical devices of the systems and methods of the present invention. adjust.

  A simple protocol that provides a degree of anonymity and responsibility between devices is Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). PGP is based on the relationship protected by public key-dedicated key cryptography between peer devices and sub-peer devices. The dedicated key authenticates the originating peer device, sub-peer device, etc. to which the data relates. The public key, on the other hand, determines whether a given peer device has the necessary private key that allows it to receive data that is about to be communicated to the given peer device. The given peer device is encoded with the identification data so that the identification of each can be determined.

  In PGP, the public key of each peer device, sub-peer device, etc. is thus authorized by at least one dedicated key, such as another peer device, sub-peer device, etc., so that the peer device, sub-peer device, etc.・ Create trust between peer devices. Thus, trust is preserved between the devices until one or more public key signatures expire or until a peer device, sub-peer device, etc. behaves inappropriately. Furthermore, using PGP, an originating peer device, sub-peer device, etc. can communicate directly with other peer devices, etc., as detailed above, or both the originating peer device and other peer devices Even if they do not have public keys that are directly trusted by each other, they can communicate indirectly if the public key of the intermediate peer device is trusted by the originating peer device and other peer devices. Such trusted webs grow and connect with various peer groups within the network of medical devices. And finally each peer device etc. can be trusted peer device in the chain without having to store information about all public or private keys such as various peer devices in the network etc. Can communicate with each of them directly or indirectly. In this way, a trusted third party in the public key infrastructure is no longer needed.

  If a peer device or the like does not operate according to community rules, the other peer device or the like will not approve the public key of this harmful peer device after the previous approval expires. Such harmful peer devices are no longer trusted between peer devices in the trusted web and are thus excluded from the network of devices. The term “harmful” means any of several types of work failures on the peer device. For example, such a bad peer device has another task to be prioritized and is temporarily unavailable, when the peer device has to refill its battery, or It can simply occur when the peer device is out of range of the network. If a peer device is bad, that is, if it is not available on the network for any of the reasons mentioned above, such a malfunction will automatically be detected by other devices because the unavailable device will not respond to communication. Is done.

  Other forms of malfunction may also occur at the peer device, which can be more serious with respect to overall network performance. One of the more serious peer device malfunctions occurs when the peer device is no longer suitable for the basic functional requirements of the community, for example, because the hardware part of the peer device is broken. Therefore, this latter harmful peer device will not be able to provide data integrity, security or some communication functions. This type of malfunction is detected by other devices in the network because the defective device cannot perform some basic functions of the community, such as task execution and communication. However, the most serious forms of harmful or malfunctioning peer devices tend to be bad peer devices that intentionally disrupt the network operation of the device. This last type of harmful peer device is best discovered by a special algorithm that assists in deliberate efforts of the harmful peer device towards various levels of peer device networking. Thus, from now on, the term “harmful” will be understood to mean any type of malfunctioning device detailed above.

  After two peer devices, etc., have agreed to communicate with each other, ie, establish trust, a symmetric key can be generated that allows future communication between trusted peer devices. Therefore, the peer device encodes and decodes data using the symmetric key relationship instead of the more cumbersome public-dedicated key relationship. Once established, the symmetric key relationship requires less computation from the peer device, but guarantees the same or higher security during the communication period.

  Thus, the system and method of the present invention provides a means for sensing patient posture and movement and providing an alarm, signal, or other therapeutic effect if such posture or movement is determined to be outside the acceptable range. provide. The systems and methods described herein thus consist of a plurality of relatively simple components that can self-organize a dynamic and collaborative hierarchy within a network to perform various levels of tasks or functions. A network of component devices comprising a medical device having functional robustness is provided. Thus, failure of any one component device does not have a significant impact on the performance of the network, and only slightly reduces the functional capabilities of the entire network of medical devices. Ideally, therefore, a medical device will not experience a complete loss of function if one or some of the components that make up the network fails. Each component performs a simple function individually, but can have a relatively inexpensive and simple structure that can collectively contribute to the performance of more complex functions when assembled in a network. The small size of the component device reduces volumetric entry into the patient when implanted or attached to the patient's body. Furthermore, the small size of the component device can accommodate the distribution of the device throughout the body, and the patient's posture and movement can be sensed at multiple locations simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. The medical devices described here are used to monitor patient posture and movement to help determine the appropriateness of treatment, drug therapy, and dosage. Furthermore, the medical devices described herein can be used to diagnose a patient's condition based on the patient's posture or movement. Such conditions include heart failure, Parkinson's disease or attention deficit disease. The medical devices described herein can also be used to monitor training activities during athlete and patient recovery, monitor weight loss programs, or perform patient sleep studies. The medical device also includes a medical device described herein in combination with a therapeutic device (eg, deep brain stimulator, pacemaker, drug delivery pump) or augmentation device (eg, prosthetic leg, hearing aid, acoustic or visual feedback device). The function of such treatment or augmentation device can be adjusted directly or indirectly for the patient in response to the posture and movement detected by the network of component devices.

  These and other features of the present invention, including various novel details of construction and component combinations, are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and claims. It will be understood that the various exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein are shown by way of illustration only and not limitation. The principles and features of this invention may be used in various alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

  These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present instrument and method will be better understood from the detailed description and the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Invention
The systems and methods of the present invention described herein include medical devices that are intended to approximate the posture and movement of, for example, a patient's body part or body part or body. A medical device is comprised of two or more relatively simple component devices that are self-organizing into various levels of a hierarchically configured component device network. Hierarchical networks provide continuous monitoring of posture and movement by completing tasks and functions associated with various levels of the network. Each component therefore includes data, algorithms or protocols that can sense, store and process some or all of the distributed data or information in the network, exchanging, changing or reconfiguring some or all of the data. Data storage, calculation, communication, energy supply, timekeeping, or sensing or signaling functions can be assigned autonomously between various devices in the network.

  In one embodiment, component devices are strategically placed in, on, or around the patient to map the patient and obtain data about patient posture and movement. The resulting data is then compared to a patient baseline or reference mapping. A comparison of current posture / motion data versus baseline or reference data is used to determine whether the patient's current posture or motion is acceptable. In other embodiments, the patient's posture and movement are not mapped, but are measured using trigonometry and based on active or passive ultrasound or high frequency motion between strategically placed components. Or, determine the movement distance that occurs in the part. Thus, it is determined whether the patient's posture or movement is acceptable with active or passive movement. In either case, if it is determined that the patient's posture or movement is unacceptable, an alarm or other signal is issued to alert the patient, doctor, or caregiver about the patient's unacceptable situation. There, appropriate treatment can be taken. The therapeutic treatment or therapeutic effect is provided from a component device integrated into a network of component devices comprising a medical device or from a medical device independently connected to a network of component devices including the medical device described herein. Can do.

  Although the description herein describes a network having two or three levels of configuration devices in the network, any number of levels of configuration devices may be provided in the network. The various levels generally include an overall peer group, a set of sub-peer groups, optionally including sub-sub-peer groups, and a set of component devices corresponding to each level. Of course, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the non-limiting description here generally describes a single general peer group and the various levels associated with it, but the network may further include additional general peer groups, Sub-sub peer groups and component devices can be included. A configuration device can join several peer groups simultaneously. In addition, a component device can contribute to the execution of a function or task of one level of the device hierarchy specifically established for a certain function or task, ie peer group, sub-peer group, sub-sub-peer group. Other levels of component devices in the hierarchy perform other functions or tasks.

  At least one component device is a sensing unit. If the network of such devices is predominantly composed of sensing unit components, the network mainly performs the sensing function. Thus, the sensing information obtained on the network is transmitted to a patient, a doctor, other caregivers, or other medical devices connected to the network. In response to data communicated from the network to the patient, doctor, other caregivers, other medical devices, or personnel, the treatment plan, medication, or dose administered to the patient can be varied. According to the system and method of the present invention, a network of component devices can be configured with additional component devices other than the sensing unit.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a network forming a general peer group PG1. The general peer group PGA is subsequently composed of sub-peer groups PG11, PG12, and PG13. Detailed tasks and functions performed by the general peer group PG1 are assigned to the sub-peer groups PG11, PG12, and PG13. Each sub-peer group PG11, PG12, PG13 is further sub-peer group and / or component devices (eg D1-D4: D2, D4, D5; D3, D5, D6) like (PG111, GP112) Composed. Each component device D1-D6 can belong to one or more sub-peer groups PG11, PG12, PG13 in the overall peer group so that it can belong to different levels in the hierarchy of the overall peer group PG1. Each sub-peer group PG11, PG12, PG13 includes a sub-peer for sensing physiological parameters, calculating data or sending alarms and other signals to patients, doctors, caregivers or other medical devices. Group tasks (subtasks) or functions (subfunctions) are assigned. Each component device D1 to D6 has sub-related information such as sensing physiological parameters in the patient or the environment where the patient is located, calculating data, sending data, and transmitting data to other component devices. A component task or function is assigned to perform in the peer group or sub-sub peer group relationship.

  The network of component devices D1-D6, peer groups PG11, PG12, PG13 and sub-peer groups PG111, PG112 thus forms various levels of the overall peer group PG1. If the various component devices D1-D6 decide to contribute to the execution of the corresponding task or function associated with a level, the various component devices D1-D6 are considered to be at that level of the network hierarchy: peer group, sub-peer group or sub-sub-peer. Join the group. For example, if a task or function of a sub-peer group is too complex to be performed efficiently by one component or sub-peer group (PG11, PG12, PG13), the task or function is divided into smaller parts (Subsubtask or subsubfunction) Sub-sub-peer groups (such as PG 111 and PG 112) are created in this way, and the constituent devices therein perform sub-sub-tasks and sub-sub-functions correspondingly. The general peer group PG1, the sub-peer groups PG11, PG12, PG13, the sub-sub-peer groups PG111, PG112 and the constituent devices D1 to D6 are exemplary, and the engineer has a network of devices according to the system and method of the invention. It will be understood that any number of at least one total peer group of at least two or more component devices can be configured. Furthermore, various levels of peer groups, ie, sub-peer groups, sub-sub-peer groups, etc. can be further configured at the lower level as shown in FIG. 1, for example, sub-peer group PG11 is further sub-peer group. The engineer should easily understand that the PG 111 and the PG 112 are configured. Of course, if provided, each level peer group has a level of tasks and functions to be performed correspondingly.

  In general, higher level tasks or functions are not performed until all of the lower level tasks or functions are completed. Thus, ideally, once each of the sub-tasks or sub-functions of the sub-peer group is completed, the network determines the patient's posture and movement status and, if necessary, the various peer groups that make up the total peer group. Based on the physiological parameters sensed, calculated and communicated by the level component and the peer group, an alarm or other signal is issued to the patient, doctor, caregiver or other component device.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, each component device D1-D6 performs, for example, at least one component device task or function. Thus, at a minimum, each component device communicates with at least one other component device in the network, and individual devices within a larger overall peer group and various levels of peer groups, ie, sub-peer groups, sub-sub-peer groups. To be able to perform collective and more complex tasks or functions. Thus, each component performs one or more functions such as sensing physiological and other parameters, calculating and storing data, sending data, and communicating with one or more other devices in the network. be able to. Communication between component devices is unidirectional in that the component device receives or transmits data signals and messages but does not perform both reception and transmission functions, or the component device is from at least one other component device. It can be bidirectional or bi-directional to send and receive data signals and messages.

  By distributing the components in the patient, the patient's environment, or some combination thereof, relatively simple tasks and functions can be performed at various locations within, on or around the patient. Communication links between component devices provide support in establishing trust, assigning various tasks and functions, and ranking among various levels of component devices within each peer group of the network. Thus, the organization of the component devices in the network occurs as a result of communication links that exist between the component devices. If more than one general peer group is provided, communication between peer groups can be provided as well. Ideally, component devices comprised of different levels of the network communicate wirelessly with each other, but wired communication is also possible, as will be readily understood by engineers.

  Communication between devices should be direct, using asymmetric or symmetric cryptographic links between trusted components, or indirect with intermediate components using cryptographic links and pipeline protocols be able to. In any case, with a simple task or function communication performed between the component devices that make up each peer group level, the network of component devices allows one body part or body part to another body part or body part. More complex functions, such as determining some postures or movements, can be performed at the same time, and it can be determined whether such postures or movements are within appropriate and acceptable parameters. Of course, when the network of devices carries the data and decisions to the patient, doctor, caregiver, or other medical device or personnel, appropriate treatment can be taken. Such therapeutic measures include nerve, muscle-skeletal, other functions or system functions, as well as artificially function organs, stimulated or controlled by chemical or electrical means, or other responsive medical protocols For example.

  When the component devices are within communication range of each other, the component devices can communicate directly with each other via an in-range communication link provided between such component devices. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, where the component device pairs D1-D2 and D2-D3 each communicate directly with each other as a result of being in each other's communication range. Here, the communication range including D1 is indicated by a dotted circle, and the communication range including D3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. A solid circle indicates the communication range of the device D2. Looking further at FIG. 2, it is clear that D1 and D3 cannot communicate directly with each other because they are outside the other communication ranges. For direct, in-range communication between component devices, asymmetric and symmetric cryptography is used. This is provided in protocols such as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) and the “Anonymous but Responsible Self-Organizing Community” (AASOC) protocol, shown above and described again below. Such techniques and protocols support establishment of trust between component devices, and support for safely transmitting arbitrary data between component devices that are within communication range of each other.

  The communication range of the component device can be predetermined according to the requirements of the entire medical device or can be dynamically configured. For example, if the component device can communicate directly with only a few other devices (for example, a predetermined number of devices or less), the maximum communication range can be increased. On the other hand, if the device can communicate directly with many other component devices (eg, more than a predetermined number of devices), it reduces its communication range and saves energy by communicating over a short distance.

  FIG. 3a shows an example when the component apparatus D1 has increased its communication range from its original range (solid line) to a new larger communication range (dotted line). Such an increase in communication range requires at least two devices within the range, but communication of two or more devices is often appropriate when communication or overall network effectiveness is increased.

  FIG. 3b shows an example when the component device D1 has reduced its communication range from its original range (solid line) to a new smaller communication range (dotted line). Such a reduction of the communication range may be appropriate when the number of devices in the range is, for example, five, but the network effect or sensitivity is improved by limiting the communication to a small number of devices.

  The actual communication range of the component device is as follows: communication medium (high frequency, infrared, wired, etc.), communication hardware (antenna, wire, IR sensor type, etc.), energy that can be used for communication (less available energy, It is generally preferred that the communication range be small), depending on the physical parameters of the communication component or communication specific parameters, such as the maximum possible transmission error bit rate, or other parameters of the various component devices involved Sometimes. For example, a component device can communicate with less or more power, or by changing the form of communication used, changing its physical location, or changing other parameters considered here. The communication range can be changed.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, the pair of component devices D1 and D3 is outside the communication range of each other, and out-of-range or multi-hop communication is performed between such component devices. You can link each other. For example, out-of-range communication between component devices D1 and D3 is performed via one or more intermediate components, in this case D2, which links component devices D1 and D3 that are originally out of range to each other. . Out-of-range communications between component devices can also be organized and secured by pipeline protocols such as SPP in the network, described further below.

  In general, component devices can communicate with each other if they are in the same peer group, ie PG11 or PG12. However, all the constituent devices in the network are in the main general peer group (PG1 in FIG. 1). Thus, ideally any component device can communicate directly or indirectly with any other component device in the overall peer group. However, localized communication between component devices is preferred to optimize network efficiency. In order to localize component device communication, devices should ideally communicate within the lowest common level peers in the network hierarchy.

  FIG. 4 then shows that the component devices D1, D2 communicate with each other via the sub-peer group PG11 rather than through the general peer group PG1. Since the sub-peer group PG11 is the lowest shared peer group shared by both component devices D1 and D2, the component devices D1 and D2 cannot communicate with each other through the sub-sub-peer group PG111 or PG112. Such a sub-sub-peer group also constitutes a part of the general peer group PG1. In any case, the component devices D1 and D2 should communicate through PG11, not PG1, and perform communication between D1 and D2 as localized and efficient as possible.

Asymmetric ciphers generally establish trust between component devices within each peer group, while symmetric ciphers generally provide data between component devices within each peer group after such trust is established between component devices. Approve the exchange. The Survivable Pipeline Protocol (SPP), on the other hand, implements and maintains a well-ordered task or function and communication pipeline to create a self-organized component hierarchy (a hierarchy of peer groups at various levels). Used to update trust relationships between component devices by creating and maintaining local information about other component devices. As the constituent devices in each peer group level perform their respective tasks or functions, the tasks of each peer group are executed. Communication security and anonymity are based on the communication method used in the network of medical devices according to the system and method of the present invention, based on cryptographic PGP and “anonymous but responsible self-organizing community” (AASOC). It is strengthened by.

  For example, according to the PGP encryption shown in FIG. 5, the component device D1 includes a public key K1a and a dedicated key K1b, and the component device D2 includes a public key K2a and a dedicated key K2b. If the public key K1a of the configuration device D1 is approved by the dedicated key K2b of the configuration device D2, as is apparent from the arrow from the configuration device D2 to D1 where K1a is above K2b, for example, from D2 to D1 Trust is established. Similarly, if the public key K2a of the configuration device D2 is approved by the dedicated key K1b of the configuration device D1, as is apparent from the arrow from the configuration devices D1 to D2 above K1b, the configuration devices D1 to D2 Trust in is established. Once such trust is established between the component devices, two-way communication between the component devices D1, D2 is easily approved. Other component devices also have similar public and dedicated keys associated with them to establish trust and communication relationships between them. In this way, authorizing the public key of the component device that the component device trusts with its own dedicated key establishes a network of trusted component devices for the medical device as well.

  When the public key-dedicated key relationship is established between the component devices, as shown in FIG. 5, for communicating between the component devices, like a symmetric key K1-2 generated between the component devices D1 and D2. A symmetric key can be generated. When a symmetric key is generated, faster, simpler and more secure communication between trusted components is possible so that the components can communicate with any other trusted component in the overall peer group PG1 become. Encoding and decrypting a message with a symmetric key is typically simpler and more efficient than a message using a public / private key algorithm, cipher, or protocol within the message, so that the symmetric key Supporting the efficiency of communication between component devices with established configurations.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, for example, peer group PG12 is shown as a dotted line, indicating that constituent devices D4 and D5 have symmetric keys K4-5 and that trust is established between them and communication is possible. ing. Similarly, the constituent devices D5 and D2 have a symmetric key K5-2, indicating that trust is established between them and communication is possible. On the other hand, component devices D4, D2 are shown as using public key / dedicated key associations (K4a and K4b, K2a and K2b) to allow communication between them. However, in this case, the public key K2a of the device D2 is not approved by the dedicated key K4b of the device D4, and the public key K4a is not approved by the dedicated key K2b. Nevertheless, component device D4 trusts D5, component device D2 trusts D5, and D5 trusts both D4 and D2, so trust between component devices D2-D4 as shown by arrows K4-K2. I can reason. Therefore, D4 and D2 conclude that the constituent devices D2 and D4 can trust each other based on the respective approval of the public keys K4a and K2a by the dedicated key K5b. As described above, when sufficient trust is established between the constituent devices D4 and D2 using the public key / dedicated key relationship as described above, the symmetric key K2-4 is generated therebetween. This indirect ("speculative") trust establishment allows some component devices to accept and store the public keys of all other component devices while still participating in establishing trust between given devices. Only component devices that frequently communicate will tend to approve and store the public keys of other component devices.

  By using PGP encryption and AASOC in various component devices that make up the peer group of the network, support for securing internal and external responsibilities for data communicated between the component devices is made, and communication is performed between them. Support is provided to protect and protect the privacy and confidentiality of data. Especially in medical applications, sensor networks gather a lot of personal and highly sensitive information from patients and their environment, the information stored in the network is protected, and network communication is safe and anonymous The desirability is emphasized. More preferably, responsibility is provided against harmful users and devices.

  The configuration devices in the network are relatively simple, have a relatively limited power supply, and have a relatively small calculation function (for example, as compared with a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone), so that security is provided in the network. Any algorithm applied by the device is ideally screened and implemented to minimize energy consumption and computational resource requirements. PGP ciphers, as detailed above, tend to achieve their goals using asymmetric, symmetric key cryptography methods that yield trust between devices in an asymmetric public key-private key relationship, but are more efficient Symmetric keys and associated algorithms are generated to help establish faster communication between trusted devices. The component device's private key authorization for other component devices' public keys assists in the identification and security of such devices and the assurance of information and data communicated between devices, thereby ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the entire network. Increase. The risk of network and medical device failure such that device-to-device trust is disrupted is optionally minimized by further implementation of more expensive and computationally elaborate algorithms created for component device functionality. be able to.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, the performance of a medical instrument task or function and the various levels of peers that contribute to the performance of that task or function are shown. The total peer group is PG1. Function 1 is shown assigned to sub-peer group PG11. The sub-function 2 of the function 1 is shown assigned to the sub-peer group PG112. The sub-peer group PG11 is further configured by sub-sub-peer groups PG111 and PG112, and the sub-sub-peer group PG112 is further configured by sub-sub-sub-peer groups PG1121, PG1122, PG1123, and PG1124. Function 1 includes five operations as shown in circles OP1 to OP5. After performing the first operation OP1 (eg, sensing some physiological parameters), the results are sent to PG 1121 and incorporated into the second operation OP2. After execution of OP2 (for example, some parameters are calculated for the successor measurement), the result is sent to PG 1122 and incorporated into OP3, and simultaneously sent to PG 1123 and incorporated into OP4. After execution of OP3 and OP4 (eg, parameter measurements based on OP2 results for PG 1122 and other measurements based on OP2 results for PG 1123), the results are sent to PG 1124 and incorporated into OP5. In the execution process from OP1 to OP5, the determination of the posture and movement of the patient is transmitted to the patient, doctor, caregiver or other medical device. If the patient's posture and movement are determined to be outside the acceptable range based on mapping and other factors, the patient, doctor, or caregiver can take appropriate medical measures based on that determination. . Such therapeutic measures include treatment or drug therapy or initiation or modification of dosage, and other measures that stimulate a location in the patient's body. In response to the determination of the posture and movement of the patient in the preceding operations OP1 to OP4, an alarm or other signal can be issued as an execution of OP5, for example. After that, feedback indicating that the assigned sub-function 2 has been executed adjusts and schedules the device D1, that is, all of the component devices D1 to D9 to perform the respective tasks and functions, and completes the first work of the function 1 To the “manager” device that is responsible for executing (the concept of the “manager” device is described in more detail below).

  With further reference to FIG. 7, the bold arrows indicate data propagation between the components forming the medical device and the levels of the various peer groups, the total peer group PG1 is shown as the largest rectangle, and the sub-peer PG11 is Shown with the second largest rectangle, sub-sub-peer group PG111 is shown with a small inner rectangle, all of which correspond to work OP1. The sub-sub-peer group PG112 is shown as a shaded inner rectangle. The sub-sub-peer group PG112 is further composed of a series of sub-sub-sub-peer groups PG1121, PG1122, PG1133, PG1124, shown as a small rectangle within the rectangle of the shaded sub-sub-peer group PG112. The component devices D1-D9 are shown as the smallest rectangle in FIG. In the various levels of peer groups depicted in FIG. 7, PG1 and PG2 are responsible for organizing the final execution of function 1 on completion of subfunction 2, but PG111, PG112 and PG1121 The PG 1124 is responsible for performing specific operations OP1 to OP5 and sub-function 2 that form part of the overall function 1 of the medical device.

  Still referring to FIG. 7, the components that make up the peer group can fulfill any of three different roles. For example, the component device is either a “carriage horse” device, a “maintenance” device, a “manager” device, or a combination thereof. When the “carriage horse” component receives the data to process, it is responsible for performing the assigned task of each peer group. All component devices of the peer group can operate as "carriage horse" devices. "Maintenance" devices receive data from previous work and deliver data to one or more subsequent "carriage" devices in the peer group that processes the data, helping to maintain the role of various devices within the peer group To do. The “manager” device also schedules data allocation and processing within the peer group, replenishes new devices and assists in performing tasks assigned to the peer group as needed, at various levels within the peer group. It is a “maintenance” device that organizes the assignment of successor tasks (or operations) to other “manager” devices. In particular, the “manager” device helps simplify the transmission of data from one level to another in the case of receiving input data from multiple processor tasks or subtasks, such as operation OP5 in FIG. In such a case, the corresponding data package needs to be sent to the same “carriage” device in the peer group for processing, in which case the package is typically organized before processing begins.

  FIG. 8a shows the process of having a sufficient number of “maintenance” devices in the peer group to efficiently receive data and send it to the “carriage” device for timely processing of the data. If there are not enough “maintenance” devices in the peer group that definitely meet the reliability requirements of the tasks in the peer group, the “carriage” device is replenished from within the peer group and becomes a “maintenance” device. If a “carriage horse” device cannot be refilled from within a peer group, the “manager” device of each peer group is assigned a task, function or task assigned to that peer group with the current device available within the peer group. A notice is sent that it cannot be guaranteed. FIG. 8b shows the process of replenishing an additional “manager” device from a “maintenance” device that can be used if the previous “manager” device does not respond or function properly.

  FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating how the organization of tasks or functions begins, where only the term “task” is used, but various functions and such tasks or functions or series thereof It should be understood that such levels are included in the description set forth herein. Tasks organized and performed by a network of component devices are advertised within the network. In step 1000, various components in the network receive a description of the advertising task. The description of the advertisement task includes a description of the work necessary to perform the task, a suitable data path, reliability requirements, and a required execution time (for example, waiting time, restart time). In step 1100, the component device determines whether it is responsible for performing the advertising task. If the device receives a promotion task, at step 1200, the accepted device sends a notification to the component device from which the promotion was sent indicating that the acceptance device is willing to accept and execute the advertised task. Since some of the component devices can perform advertising tasks, some acceptance notifications can come from various possible component devices. However, since one task is preferably assigned to one peer group, preferably only one component device is finally approved to accept and execute the advertising task. The component that initially advertised the task decides which of the acceptance intention notifications to accept, and ultimately which component device to approve and execute the advertising task. This determination is made based on the characteristics of the task and the past results regarding the similar task of each component device volunteered for the task. In step 1300, the originating device determines which device to approve and accept and execute the advertising task. When the constituent device receives a message from an advertising device that approves the start and execution of the advertising task, in step 1400, the approved device must begin its organization to execute the advertising task (or subtask). Don't be. The first step in organizing a task for execution is to create an appropriate level of peers responsible for the final execution of the advertising task (or subtask).

  To perform a task directly, when a peer group is created, the resource requirements to perform that task are advertised. The work performed by the created peer group level may be a single work or several consecutive work. In any case, the promotion of resource requirements by the created peer group will contain the same or similar information provided in the task description detailed above, and multiple devices will participate in the peer group in response to the promotion. Attract as you do.

  FIG. 10 shows whether the configuration device participates in the created peer group level that is authorized to perform the advertising task, taking into account resource requirements, and related tasks. A flow diagram illustrating the case of determining whether to do is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, at step 2000, the component device receives an advertisement that describes the resource requirements for performing the task. Next, at step 2100, the component device determines whether it can contribute to the performance of the task within the target reliability, frequency and other parameters stated in the advertised resource requirements. If so, at step 2200, the component joins the creating peer group that is authorized to perform the task. Otherwise, in view of the advertised resource requirements, further replenishment of the component equipment is required. Once a peer group is created, the peer group needs a sufficient amount of configuration equipment to perform all the work necessary to complete the entire task within the target reliability, frequency and other parameters. . If additional data to be processed by the component is generated before the preceding data is completely processed by the same component, the unprocessed portion of the data and processing (backlog) can cause undesirable reliability and frequency effects. May occur. In this case, the pipeline operation is used between the constituent devices, and processing of subsequently generated data can be continued even if the previous task, function, or operation process is in progress. Using such pipeline operations means that devices in a common level peer group that have been created and authorized to perform a task will receive subsequent data even if the previous data has not been fully processed. This means that the process can be started. As a result of pipeline operations, it is required to process increased data with a small number of components.

  FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating management of tasks entrusted to peer groups. The “manager” device of the peer group periodically executes the steps provided in the task management flow diagram of FIG. In step 3000, the “manager” device determines whether the task is being executed reliably or whether the timing constraints at which the task is performed are not met by the current components present in the peer group. If the task is not being performed reliably or on time, the “manager” device selects additional components from the associated weblog at step 3100. As described in more detail in FIG. 13, a weblog is a list of component devices that are rated or ordered based on their reliability of performing a given task. The additional components are preferably not in the same peer group, so their supplementation increases the overall resources and capabilities of the peer group. After selecting an additional trusted configuration device, the “manager” device steps the task of this peer group in step 3200 with the newly replenished configuration device in cooperation with the existing device in the existing peer group. It is determined whether to execute directly through 3300-3370, or whether this peer group of tasks should be split or decomposed into smaller subtasks in steps 3400-3470. If the task is to be performed directly by existing peers, at step 3300 the resource requirements for performing the task are advertised to various devices. If the peer group task is to be decomposed, in step 3400, the peer group task is advertised to the selected devices in the peer group.

  If direct execution is sought, at step 3310 the “manager” device waits for a response to the advertisement from the available device. If the “manager” device receives satisfactory responses from various components within a given time interval at step 3320, then at step 3330, the various response components join the peer group and the peer group's intended Support task execution. On the other hand, if step 3320 yields an unsatisfactory response, step 3340 advertises the resource requirement of the intended task to all devices in the total peer group. If a satisfactory response to the resource requirement advertisement in step 3340 is received in step 3350, those responding devices join other devices in the peer group in step 3360 to assist in performing the intended peer group task. . Otherwise, if the unsatisfactory response continues to be obtained at step 3350, then at step 3370 the "manager" device sends a notification that the task cannot be organized or executed. The notification is sent to the component that originally received the promotion for this task.

  If further disassembly of the task is sought before execution of the task, the “manager” device waits for a response to the advertisement from an available component selected from the weblog at step 3410. If the “manager” device receives satisfactory responses from various components within a given time interval at step 3420, then at step 3430, the various response components are commissioned to join the peer group and Support the execution of tasks. On the other hand, if an unsatisfactory response is obtained at step 3420, then at 3440, the task intended to be performed is advertised to all devices in the total peer group. If a satisfactory response to the task advertisement in step 3440 is received in step 3450, then in step 3460, those responding devices are accepted and participate in other devices in the peer group, and the desired peer group task is completed. Support execution. Otherwise, if an unsatisfactory response continues in step 3450, then in step 3470 the "manager" device sends a notification that the task cannot be organized or performed. As before, notifications are sent to the component where the promotion of this task was issued.

  FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating maintenance and organization of successor tasks. A successor task is understood to be the next task to be executed after completion of all requested predecessor tasks. According to FIG. 11, peer groups are created and are responsible for performing specific tasks. Typically, such tasks consist of a lower level of some larger task performed by a subsequent or higher level peer group of medical devices or an overall peer group. Therefore, by successfully executing the tasks of the lower peer group, the likelihood that the execution of the larger task will not fail after the lower peer group task is executed will be increased. When the underlying task is complete, the underlying peer group is further responsible for finding the component that initiates the organization and maintenance of the first part of the successor task. In other words, the lower peer group is not responsible for organizing the entire successor task. Rather, in addition to performing the tasks created for it, the underlying peer group supplements and communicates with another device that organizes the reliable execution of the first part of the successor task. Thereby, the network of devices and the task allocation modular are distributed and robust. Thus, the execution of tasks in a network of devices is never dependent on a single device.

  As shown in step 4000 of the flow diagram of FIG. 12, the “manager” device periodically verifies that the execution of the first part of the successor task is being performed reliably and in time. If a notification is received that the verification is not possible or that the successor task cannot be reliably organized or performed, the “manager” device selects some successor devices from its weblog in step 4100, and in step 4200, the weblog Advertise successor tasks to component devices identified in. In step 4300, the “manager” device waits for a response from the successor device for the promotion. When the “manager” device receives an acceptable response at step 4400, the successor device is accepted at step 4500, the execution of the successor task is organized, and its execution begins. On the other hand, if the “manager” device does not receive a satisfactory response to the advertisement in step 4400, the advertisement is sent to all devices in the general peer group at step 4600. If the “manager” device receives a satisfactory response at step 4700, the successor device is accepted at step 4800 and the first part of the successor task begins to be organized and executed. However, if the “manager” device still does not receive a satisfactory response to the promotion of step 4700, the “manager” device ensures that the “manager” device organizes and executes the first part of the successor task. A notification that it is not ready is sent by the “manager” device to the originating device that received the task description. The originating device that receives the notification should replenish another device to prepare for organizing and executing the successor task.

  Referring now again to FIG. 7, as one illustrative example of organizing the function of a medical device, D1 receives and supplements the description of function 1 and begins organizing that function. D1 created peer group PG11 and determined that OP1 is not directly executed by itself. Therefore, D1 created PG111, selected some partner devices from its weblog, and sent OP1 resource requirements to those devices. In addition, D1 determined that Function 1 needs to be further decomposed, thereby advertised the remaining tasks (OP2-OP5) with the fact that they have an assigned peer group PG11. If necessary, advertisements were sent to all other devices in the general peer group PG1. Eventually D5 and D6 joined the peer group PG111, and D1 became the “manager” device of the peer group PG111. During this time, regarding D1's task promotion, D2 responded to D1 with the intention of accepting and organizing the entire successor task. D1 accepted D2's intent, thereby creating D2 peer group PG112. D2 determined that OP2 could not be run directly on its own, thereby creating PG 1121, selecting some partner devices, and advertising the resource requirements of OP2. D2 further determined that other parts of task OP2 should be further decomposed, thereby advertised the remaining tasks with the fact that D2 has an assigned peer group PG112. Similarly, D3, D4, and D5 organized the execution of OP3, OP4, and OP5, and other devices joined the created peer group. Finally, the execution of the entire function is performed reliably and in a timely manner by a device with the SPP protocol.

  If a device breaks or is disconnected from the network anyway, other devices that depend on that resource in performing the task will notice it. If a device can detect that it can break, it should send notifications to other devices, for example, that it will break or that its energy source will be depleted. If a device does not respond to a message, it is considered not working and the other device does not take that device into account until the device begins to respond to the message.

  When a new device is introduced into the network, it can join any peer group that requires resources to reliably perform advertising tasks or start organizing. In order to ensure the necessary security of the system and prevent malicious intrusion, the new device may need to provide proof of its right to join the device's network. Further, for example, in AASOC systems, there are generally procedures for disqualifying devices that do not operate according to the rules of the entire medical device. This further increases the security of the medical device against malicious devices.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows a communication self-organization rating and a task execution reliability pattern of the component apparatuses D1 to D3. The reliability pattern is shown as maintained in the web log (W) of each component of the system and method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the web log (W) of the trusted component device is the same as that described above for each device based on the public key-dedicated key or symmetric key relationship established between the devices. Conserve. As described above, each device listed in the web log W of another device has a certain degree of reliability with respect to communication and task execution with the corresponding component device. However, each device's web log W ranks the trusted devices, such that the most trusted device in the web log W is listed first, and the least trusted device is listed last. In this way, devices with less trust are listed in a sequential order between the first and last device in each device's weblog list.

  In fact, with further reference to FIG. 13, a web log W of component device D1 is illustrated. When peer device D2 completes the tasks it has received from device D1, the reliability of D2 by D1 will increase. The reliability is indicated by the web log W of the device D1 by placing the device D2 in the initial position with the web log W of the device D1. On the other hand, if the device D3 fails to execute the task received from the device D1, the reliability of D3 by D1 decreases. As a result, the device D3 is arranged below the device D2 on the web log W of D1. If D3 continues to fail to perform the task communicated to it from D1, eventually D3 is removed from the web log W of device D1, in which case D1 does not send the task advertisement directly to D3. Listing the various trusted devices according to the degree of trust or reliability of the device can improve the efficiency of processing and communicating data through a network of medical devices. In addition, if a device resource (eg memory) allows more web logs to be stored and updated, the device can have separate web logs for each type of task and communication, as needed. You can select a device from the appropriate weblog.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a local communication scheme between component devices in the peer group 123 according to the system and method of the present invention. The communication method described in FIG. 14 illustrates peer devices D1 to D4. Since devices D1 and D2 are each in another communication range (C1, C2 respectively), they prefer to communicate directly with each other. Note that the communication range (because this is a physical concept) is not limited to logically existing peer groups. FIG. 14 illustrates this concept, where D1 and D2 are in peer group PG123, but D3 and D4 are not. Instead, D3 and D4 are in peer group PG12. Nevertheless, D3 and D4 are in one of the communication ranges C1 and C2, which also includes D1 and D2, respectively. In order to avoid communication interference between devices, communication between devices is performed when two devices in other communication ranges (C1 and C2) communicate with each other directly using a specific channel, for example, channel 1. Other devices within the device's communication range (C1 and C2) are preferably scheduled not to use the same channel.

  For example, referring still to FIG. 14, devices D1 and D2 communicate directly with each other via channel 1 within communication ranges C1 and C2. In this way, during communication between D1 and D2, the device D3 is also within the communication ranges C1 and C2, and therefore cannot communicate with any device using the channel 1. Since D3 is within the communication range of both D1 and D2, each of D1 and D2 can schedule direct communication with D3 so that communication interference can be easily avoided. On the other hand, because D4 is outside the communication range of D2, typically D2 also does not know that D4 can interfere with D1. Nevertheless, D2 and D4 cannot communicate with D1 simultaneously using the same channel. Furthermore, if D1 communicates on channel 1, D4 cannot communicate with other devices using channel 1 during that time because it interferes with D1's communication. Thus, for example, when D2 communicates with D1 on channel 1, D4 must schedule the communication not to use channel 1. For example, if a task is assigned and scheduled for various levels of a component using SPP and communication is scheduled and assigned, communication interference can be minimized. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14, by using such a communication method, more reliable communication can be performed between apparatuses while minimizing interference between apparatuses. As a result, the task or function performed by the constituent devices in each peer group can be more reliably performed.

  FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a path selection scheme for communicating data from component device D1 to component device D8 according to the system and method of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the devices D1 to D8 have a communication range displayed in a circle. Devices D1 and D8 are out of communication range with each other, and are represented by solid, symmetrical circles. The communication ranges of the devices D2 to D4 are indicated by dotted circles, and the communication ranges of the devices D6 to D7 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. In FIG. 15, there are three peer groups PGC18, PGC28 and PGC58, and each peer group is created for a communication task. The large rectangle indicates PGC 18 and is created for communication between devices D1 and D8. The two handwritten bold lines represent peer groups PGC28 and PGC58, respectively, and are created for communication between D2 and D8 and between D5 and D8.

  With further reference to FIG. 15, for example, D1 wants to communicate with D8, but D1 and D8 are out of communication range of each other. Thus, D1 creates a peer group PGC 18 to localize communication between D1 and D8, so that only devices that participate in this peer group can contribute to the communication. D1 does not know the route to D8 and therefore advertises this communication task to all devices. Devices D2 and D5 know the route to D8 and therefore respond to the advertisement. D1 accepts these responses. Thus, D2 and D5 create peer groups PGC28 and PGC58 to localize their communication with D8 and send advertisements of communication resource requirements to devices on the path to D8. That is, D2 sends the advertisement to D3 and D4, and D5 sends the advertisement to D3 and D4. Finally, D4 and D7 are within the communication range with D8 (solid circle of symmetry). Thus, D8 is notified through D4 and D7 that D1 wants to communicate with D8. Here, devices D1 and D8 can establish trust between each other with their public-private key pairs as described above. Thus, in practice, a medical device comprised of a network of various levels of peer groups (PG1, PG11, PGC18, PGC28) comprised of components (C1-D8) that differ in the system and method of the present invention is sensitive. Communicates data about the selected physiological parameters, calculates, stores or distributes such data, starts responding to such data, and responds to or treats patient conditions based on communications exchanged within the network To do.

  With respect to the survivable pipeline protocol described above, a collaborative device network creates a problem resource partitioning, scheduling problem. For example, the challenges posed by component device communication interference described above with respect to FIG. 14, for example, distribute sensing information between component devices in a network or between various levels of component devices over a designated low-band RF channel. This can be solved. Distributed preprocessing of information or data obtained at each stage reduces the amount of information communicated between component devices or at various levels, making communication between component devices and between network levels more efficient as desired. can do. In this case, in order for the network to operate, each of them may have limited computational power and may have to complete different component pre-processing tasks. Furthermore, multi-hop communication channels between distant component devices are preferably preserved to improve network efficiency. The Survivable Pipeline Protocol (SPP) used in the context of the system and method of the present invention provides an algorithmic framework within the component device, and consists of a network of multiple component devices according to the system and method of the present invention. Multi-hop message routing, local communication, task assignment and scheduling of medical devices.

SPP has several advantages and is useful in the networked medical devices of the present invention. For example, SPP:
A group of heterogeneous and low-capacity devices that replenish the component devices to complex and energetically expensive tasks beyond the capabilities of individual devices (eg, message encryption and decryption for increased security) And
It is possible to reduce interference by efficiently performing scheduling communication with a component device having communication capability (for example, RF communication),
Reduce communication traffic through distributed preprocessing of data to be communicated,
Support multi-hop communication between distant components,
Respond to dynamic changes in device population caused by device loss or introduction, or individual device performance changes.

  FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a network of component devices used to monitor patient posture and movement according to the system and method of the present invention. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates a series of components, or a combination thereof, strategically placed in, on or around a patient's body that constitutes a motion and posture monitoring device according to the systems and methods described herein. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, the posture / movement monitor device can provide a component device arranged near the ends of the limbs and the head. Easily understand that the device can be placed. In any case, the component device can measure its distance relative to at least one, preferably one or more other component devices in the network. In addition, each component device can measure its own acceleration, tilt and other posture and motion parameters. Data obtained by the component device is obtained at intervals or continuously, and is transmitted to the component device that is subject to data analysis or data analysis management. Data management may include, for example, distributing the analysis among multiple components. Therefore, one or more component devices react to such analysis results by issuing a warning to the patient, doctor or caregiver, activate the treatment component device in the same network, or take treatment measures It can have the function of interacting with other independent medical devices inside, on or around. In the more complex configurations required when more complex monitoring tasks need to be performed, the component devices may perform their sensing functions at various hierarchical levels of peer groups.

  As described above, the component devices perform various tasks by dynamically self-organizing into different levels of peer groups. Various tasks include, for example, determining the posture and movement of a patient's body part or body part. Thus, at least one level of peer groups, and the components that make up such peer groups, obtain patient body part or body part posture and movement data. The obtained data is then communicated to the higher peer group level. The higher peer group level may be responsible for obtaining posture and movement data for other body parts or parts of the patient. Additional peer groups may be responsible for obtaining posture and movement data for other body parts or portions of the patient.

  The total peer group collects various data from the lower peer group level to determine if the observed posture and movement of the patient are acceptable. If acceptable, repeat the observation cycle itself. If unacceptable, at least one component will generate an alarm or other signal to advise the patient, physician or caregiver of unacceptable posture or movement. In this way, appropriate treatment can be taken in response to the identified patient's unacceptable posture or movement. Treatment is initiated by one or more components of the network, or by one or more medical devices that are independently connected to the network, or manually by the patient, doctor, caregiver be able to. Treatment measures or treatment effects may include changing the position of a patient or device, changing treatment, or changing medication or dosage.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 16, the operations OP1 to OP14 show various limbs and body parts of the patient, and each operation OP1 to OP14 is associated with each peer group constituted by the constituent devices. Peer group PG111 has three component devices D2, D15 and D17 associated with OP1, and each peer group associated with OP2-OP14 has two component devices. Each peer group component corresponds to the limb or body part with which each peer group is associated. Each of the operations OP1 to OP14 is, for example, the distance between the peer group PG111 and the operation OP1 or other component devices, the component devices related to each task, for example, the distance between the peer group and other component devices D1, D15, and D17 Measure the parameters. The measurement starts from an intermediate operation OP1 located around the patient's stomach, for example, and goes to the head, arms, and legs as shown in the example shown in FIG. For example, when all measurement parameters such as distance are transmitted to peer groups PG119 and OP15, any required calculations are performed on the measurement parameters, and then the processed data is transmitted to peer groups PG1110 and OP16. The Peer group PG 1110 and its constituent devices D16, D28, D2, D9 and D30, and OP16 then further process the data and issue an alarm or initiate or modify some therapeutic effect.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, for example, each parameter such as distance is a group of peers associated with each limb or body part, except for the first operation of the group of peers PG111 assigned to the three components D1, D15, and D17. Is replicated by two component devices comprising This redundant assignment makes the entire device more robust and accurate. OP15 and OP16 can be executed on an appropriate device such as a distance measuring device as long as they have necessary capabilities such as processing capability.

  The peer group PG1 is for the entire apparatus, while PG11 is for its posture and motion measurement function. PG111 is created by device D1 as its peer group manager, devices D15 and D17 can perform OP1 and measure various parameters related to the position of D1, D15, D17 near the patient's stomach, so the final To this peer group PG111. From previous experience, the device D2 associated with the patient's head knows from its web log that the devices D3 and D6 associated with the patient's arm are reliable and can organize and determine arm distance measurements. Accordingly, D2 creates a peer group PG112, in which D2 can measure the distance between the head and both arms, or delegates the measurement, and arm measurement work is delegated to D3 and D6, respectively.

  In particular, D2 creates PG 1121 for head measurement, D3 creates PG 1122 for overall measurement of the right arm, and D6 creates PG 1123 for measurement of the entire left arm. D18 continues to join PG1121, D19 continues to join PG1122, and D22 continues to join PG1123. From previous experience and from the weblog, device D3 knows that D4 and D5 can reliably measure the parameters of the lower arm. Therefore, D3 further creates PG11221 and measures the upper right arm, and D4 and D5 further create PG11222 and PG11223, respectively, and measure the lower right arm. D20 continues to join PG1122, and D21 continues to join PG11223. Device D6 is also its web log, knowing that D7 and D8 can reliably measure the lower arm parameters. Therefore, D6 further creates PG 1123 and measures the left upper arm parameter, and D7 and D8 further create PG 1124 and PG 1125 to measure the left upper arm parameter. Subsequently, D22 joins PG1123, D23 joins PG1124, and D24 joins PG1125. Peer groups PG113-PG115 and PG116-PG118 similarly measure the entire foot via upper right foot and lower left foot parameters using device D9-14 and device D25-30, which later joins the appropriate peer group, and Created by each constituent device involved.

  In one embodiment of a network of components used to monitor patient posture and movement using patient comparison mapping, operations OP15, OP16 and additional required tasks can be used. In practice, therefore, a baseline or reference mapping of the patient is obtained by strategically locating various components in, on or around the patient, and these positions are converted into a physical three-dimensional map of the patient's body. Record. Data obtained from various components is converted into, for example, a baseline of a stationary patient's posture and movement tendency, and a reference map. The baseline or reference map is stored in one or more components, or a computer or monitor connected independently to the network. Thereafter, the patient develops posture and movement and is subsequently monitored. Various components obtain posture and motion data, communicate the obtained data within them, and convert the data into a real-time mapping of patient posture and motion. The patient's real-time mapping is compared to the patient's baseline or reference map. If a comparison mapping, i.e., comparing a patient's real-time mapping with a baseline or reference mapping, determines that some posture or movement has deviated beyond the baseline or reference mapping, such deviation is One or more components are communicated to issue an alarm or other signal to the patient, doctor or caregiver. Appropriate treatment measures can then be taken in response to the alarm and other signals. A therapeutic procedure may produce a therapeutic effect from one or more components of the network, or may produce a therapeutic effect from another medical device that is independently connected to the network. In either case, the therapeutic effect is, for example, a change in treatment, pharmacotherapy or a change in dosage. In this particular example, OP15 is responsible for converting the measured distance into an actual map of the patient and OP16 is responsible for the necessary treatment.

  With such mapping, the monitor data can be transformed and displayed on the patient's virtual digital display as actual movements of the limbs, head, and other body parts. This virtual display helps the patient, doctor, and caregiver understand when the patient's posture and movement occur with the data obtained by the network. Such a virtual mapping of the patient's posture and movement, ideally identifying the patient's inappropriate or undesirable posture and movement, correcting the diagnosis, or starting effective treatment for the patient . Furthermore, interaction with the patient's virtual display is one effective way to identify postures and movements that are acceptable and unacceptable to patients, physicians, and caregivers, and to accustom them to recognize their parameters. Mapping the patient's body first and limiting the sensor location on this display also supports the autonomous data processing of the medical device, which can provide access to the caregiver geographically or patient immobility More desirable, or when therapeutic measures must be taken within strict time limits.

  According to another embodiment of the network of component devices used to monitor patient posture and movement, the component device comprises a pre-set range of acceptable patient posture and movement. If the component device determines that the patient's posture and movement exceed acceptable levels, the component device or devices may issue an alarm or other signal to the patient, physician, or caregiver. As described above, appropriate therapeutic measures can be taken in response to the alarm or other signal. The difference between the previous embodiment and this embodiment is that no mapping occurs here. Other than that, the acquisition of data and its communication between various levels of component devices are generally the same or at least similar to those described above. The treatment measures that can be taken include, for example, producing a therapeutic effect or changing medicines or treatment methods brought about by operations OP15 and OP16 as described above.

  In yet another embodiment of a network of components used to monitor patient posture and movement, another medical device is independently connected to the network to provide or adjust the therapeutic effect on the patient. . Treatment effects include treatment changes, drug therapy and dose changes, etc., which are judged according to data obtained and communicated between various components constituting the network according to the system and method of the present invention. The Thus, medical devices that are independently connected to the network include electrical or chemical stimulators that provide or modify treatment for the patient, or pumps or infusion devices that change the amount, type, and timing of the drug delivered to the patient, for example. . Instead, a medical device that is independently connected to the network is an orthopedically adjustable chair, bed, walker or other device that repositions in response to data obtained and transmitted from the component network. can do. In this case, the operation OP15 is responsible for calculating the necessary treatment measures, and the operation OP16 is responsible for performing the determined treatment measures.

  While what has been considered as the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise forms described or illustrated herein, but is to be construed as covering all modifications that may fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. .

Embodiment
(1) In patient posture / motion monitoring system,
A hierarchical peer group self-organizing network comprising a plurality of components,
Each of the devices has one or more functions as a sensor, communicator, computer, data distributor, energy source, alarm or therapeutic effector,
The devices may be distributed among internally implanted devices located within the patient, external devices placed on the patient, external devices placed within the environment where the patient is located, or any combination thereof. Equipment
Network,
At least one of a direct communication link between devices via cryptography and a communication protocol, or an indirect communication link between devices via an intermediate device, and
With
Each of the devices comprises data, algorithms and protocols and has the following functions:
Sensing physiological parameters,
Processing data distributed within the system;
Exchanging, modifying, and reconstructing data, algorithms, and protocols in the system;
Autonomously assigning data storage, computation, communication, energy supply, sensing, alarming and treatment tasks between the devices in the system;
Do at least one of
The therapeutic effector provides the desired therapeutic effect upon completing a lower level task or function of the peer group of the network;
system.
(2) In the system of embodiment 1,
The system wherein the desired therapeutic effect is one of mechanical support, electrical stimulation, chemical stimulation, activation, and drug administration.
(3) In medical equipment,
A hierarchical network of self-organizing peers at various levels, including a plurality of components,
The device is located within, on or around the patient and has anonymity and responsibility communication functions;
Each of the devices further comprises at least one task assigned to the device;
The network provides at least one of an alert or therapeutic effect upon completion of tasks assigned at the various levels of device self-organizing peers,
network,
A medical device equipped with.
(4) In the medical instrument of Embodiment 3,
The task is any of physiological data sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, energy management, task allocation, and scheduling, and provides at least one of an alarm and a therapeutic effect.
Medical instrument.
(5) In the medical instrument of embodiment 4,
The communication function comprises medical devices comprising direct symmetric and asymmetric cryptography between devices, indirect communication via an intermediate device, and a pipeline protocol.

(6) In medical equipment,
A network for monitoring patient posture and movement,
Including a plurality of component self-organized peer groups that hierarchically configure peer groups at various levels to form one or more total peer groups;
Each general peer group has a task or function to perform when various lower level lower layer tasks or functions of the peer group of the component device that includes the respective peer group are completed;
If the perceived posture and movement parameters exceed acceptable levels due to the completion of the functional task of each peer group, the network provides at least one of an alarm or therapeutic effect;
Network,
An in-range communication link between the component devices within a predetermined communication range;
An out-of-range communication link between the component devices that exceeds the predetermined communication range;
A medical device comprising:
(7) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
The medical device wherein the therapeutic effect is one of mechanical support, electrical stimulation, chemical stimulation, activation, and administration of a drug.
(8) In the medical instrument of embodiment 7,
Each of the component devices enables at least one of physiological data sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, task assignment, and scheduling tasks or functions and provides an alarm or therapeutic effect. A medical device comprising data, algorithms or protocols.
(9) In the medical instrument of embodiment 8,
The in-range communication link further comprises symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.
(10) In the medical instrument of embodiment 9,
The asymmetric cipher establishes trust between component devices;
The symmetric encryption approves communication between trusted component devices.

(11) In the medical instrument of embodiment 9,
The out-of-range communication includes a medical device that includes communication via an intermediate configuration device and a pipeline protocol.
(12) In the medical instrument of embodiment 11,
The hierarchically configured peers at various levels of the component devices perform ranked tasks or functions, update the relationships between the component devices, and when the underlying tasks and functions are completed, the network A medical device configured to provide said alarm or therapeutic effect.
(13) In the medical instrument of embodiment 12,
Each of the in-range communication links further comprises a channel;
Communication between two or more of the component devices is scheduled to avoid communication interference by assigning communication between the in-range component devices to the same channel.
(14) In the medical instrument of embodiment 13,
The task assignment between the component devices is ranked according to the efficiency of the component device to which each task is assigned.
(15) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
A series of components within each peer group,
A medical device further comprising:

(16) In the medical instrument of embodiment 15,
At least one common task or function between at least two components in the peer group;
A medical device further comprising:
(17) In the medical instrument of embodiment 16,
A medical device that performs a task or function upon completion of various lower level tasks or functions of the peer group of the component device that includes the peer group.
(18) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
A one-time task or function,
The peer groups at various levels of the component device acknowledge that the subsequent level or component device performs the task or function when the preceding one of the one-time task or function is completed.
The task or function,
A medical device further comprising:
(19) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
A repeatable task or function,
The various levels of the component devices include pipeline communication between some or all of the component devices, and one repeatable task or function is in progress even if another repeatable task or function is performed. Enabling the processing of
The task or function,
A medical device further comprising:
(20) In the medical instrument of embodiment 19,
The medical device, wherein the network reorganizes various levels of the configuration devices within each peer group according to changes in the configuration devices within each peer group or changes in the task or functional requirements.

(21) In the medical instrument of embodiment 20,
The various levels of configuration devices update each other upon completion of tasks or functions, any performance failures of the configuration devices, or addition or deletion of configuration devices to the network.
(22) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
The medical link is a wireless medical device.
(23) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
A manager device designated by the component device at each peer group level,
Continuously assessing the reliability of the component devices comprising each of the peer groups to ensure that lower level tasks or functions are performed reliably and in a timely manner;
The manager device,
A medical device further comprising:
(24) In the medical instrument of embodiment 6,
Upon receipt of an acceptable response to an advertisement that describes the intended task, function, or resource requirement to perform the task or function, the component devices that comprise the peer group are configured to correspond to the respective peer group. A medical device that is organized and approved to perform the tasks or functions of
(25) A method for monitoring the posture and movement of a patient,
Placing a network of peer groups including two or more component devices within, on or around the patient;
Each component device performs at least one of sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, task assignment, and scheduling to provide a therapeutic effect.
Steps,
Hierarchically deploying the peer groups of the two or more component devices to various levels;
The various levels of peer groups and component devices comprise an overall peer group and a lower peer group;
Each level is assigned a task or function to perform,
Steps,
Until all peer group levels have performed their assigned task or function, the completion of the underlying task or function is communicated from one peer group level to the successor peer group level, so that the total peer group has an alarm or treatment effect Providing to the patient;
Including the method.

(26) In the method of embodiment 25,
The method wherein the therapeutic effect is any of mechanical support, electrical stimulation, chemical stimulation, activation, and administration of a drug.
(27) In the method of embodiment 26,
The method wherein the task or function at each peer group level is performed directly by an authorized component device comprising the respective peer group.
(28) In the method of embodiment 26,
The tasks or functions at each peer group level are broken down into smaller tasks or functions to form another level peer group that includes additional components.
The method, wherein the additional peer group level task or function is performed prior to the execution of the first respective peer group level.
(29) In the method of embodiment 27,
Each peer group level is formed such that, in response to an advertisement describing the task or function performed by each peer group level, the most reliable component that performs the promotional task or function includes the peer group. ,Method.
(30) In the method of embodiment 28,
Each peer group level is formed such that, in response to an advertisement describing the task or function performed by each peer group level, the most reliable component that performs the promotional task or function includes the peer group. ,Method.

(31) In the method of embodiment 29,
Designating a manager device from the component device including each peer group level, wherein the manager device continuously evaluates the reliability of the component device at the respective peer group level to determine the reliability. A method of changing or adding to a group of peers to maintain.
(32) In the method of embodiment 30,
Designating a manager device from the component device including each peer group level, wherein the manager device continuously evaluates the reliability of the component device at each peer group level to determine the reliability. A method of changing or adding to a group of peers to maintain.
(33) In the posture / movement monitor system,
A hierarchical network of peers including a plurality of component devices disposed within, on, or around a patient and determining when the patient's posture and motion parameters exceed an acceptable range;
At least one peer group configured to provide an alarm or treatment effect to the patient when the patient's posture and movement parameters exceed the acceptable range;
With a system.
(34) In the system of embodiment 33,
A baseline mapping of the stationary patient's posture and movement parameters,
Configured and stored for comparison with subsequent posture and movement of the patient obtained in the network;
The mapping,
The system further comprising:
(35) In the system of embodiment 33,
An independent medical device connected to the network and providing the therapeutic effect;
The system further comprising:

(36) In the system of embodiment 35,
The therapeutic effect corresponds to a sensed parameter and includes at least one of diagnosis, drug therapy, therapeutic therapy, electrical or chemical stimulation, pump or infusion therapy, and orthopedic adjustment.
(37) In the system of embodiment 33,
The therapeutic effect is provided in response to the alarm and includes at least one of diagnosis, drug therapy, therapeutic therapy, electrical or chemical stimulation, pump or infusion therapy, and orthopedic adjustment.
(38) In the system of embodiment 33,
The various components of each peer group are disposed on corresponding limbs or body parts of the patient, and the posture or movement of the patient is provided to the component devices of the respective peer group and A system that makes judgments by comparing with a pre-set tolerance range for exercise.
(39) In the system of embodiment 33,
At least one component is configured to sound the alarm or provide the therapeutic effect if the patient's posture and movement comparison exceeds the preset tolerance. ,system.
(40) In the system of embodiment 33,
The system wherein the therapeutic effect further comprises changing a drug type, dosage, or timing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network composed of components that form at least one peer group in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates direct (within range) and multi-hop (out of range or indirect) communication between component devices. It is a figure which shows each example when a component apparatus changes the communication range. It is a figure which shows each example when a component apparatus changes the communication range. FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration device that preferably communicates through the closest (or lowest) peer group as much as possible, although all the configuration devices can communicate through the general peer group PG1. FIG. 2 illustrates a generally direct encrypted communication scheme between component devices in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates the propagation of trust between component devices, whereby trust between two component devices can be established through a chain of trusted component devices. FIG. 3 illustrates a set of component devices that perform the functions of a medical device and also illustrates an exemplary peer group hierarchy created to perform and maintain the functions. Ensure that sufficient “maintenance” devices are available within the peer group, and that “manager” devices exist within the peer group to manage communication, data processing and other functional schedules between devices within the peer group It is a figure which shows the process of guaranteeing. Ensure that sufficient “maintenance” devices are available within the peer group, and that “manager” devices exist within the peer group to manage communication, data processing and other functional schedules between devices within the peer group It is a figure which shows the process of guaranteeing. FIG. 6 illustrates how a component device reacts to advertising a task that a network of devices needs to perform. FIG. 6 illustrates how a component device reacts to the promotion of resource requirements for subtasks that a network of devices needs to perform. FIG. 6 illustrates a method by which a “manager” device supervises resource allocation and execution of subtasks within a peer group. It is a figure which illustrates the method of assigning a "successor subtask" to another component apparatus which becomes responsible for execution of a successor subtask. FIG. 6 illustrates a web log rating of a component device according to the system and method of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a local communication scheme for scheduling communication between component devices with minimal interference according to the system and method of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a path selection scheme for communicating data from one component device to another using an intermediate component device in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a network of component devices used to monitor patient posture and movement according to the system and method of the present invention.

Claims (33)

In patient posture / motion monitoring system,
A hierarchical peer group self-organizing network comprising a plurality of components,
Each of the devices has one or more functions as a sensor, communicator, computer, data distributor, energy source, alarm or therapeutic effector,
The devices may be distributed among internally implanted devices located within the patient, external devices placed on the patient, external devices placed within the environment where the patient is located, or any combination thereof. Equipment
Network,
At least one of a direct communication link between the devices via encryption and a communication protocol, or an indirect communication link between the devices via an intermediate device;
With
Each of the devices comprises data, algorithms and protocols and has the following functions:
Sensing physiological parameters,
Processing data distributed within the system;
Exchanging, modifying, and reconstructing data, algorithms, and protocols in the system;
Autonomously assigning data storage, computation, communication, energy supply, sensing, alarming and treatment tasks between the devices in the system;
Do at least one of
The therapeutic effector provides the desired therapeutic effect upon completing a lower level task or function of the peer group of the network;
system. The system of claim 1, wherein
The system wherein the desired therapeutic effect is one of mechanical support, electrical stimulation, chemical stimulation, activation, and drug administration. In medical equipment,
A hierarchical network of self-organizing peers at various levels, including a plurality of components,
The device is located within, on or around the patient and has anonymity and responsibility communication functions;
Each of the devices further comprises at least one task assigned to the device;
The network provides at least one of an alert or therapeutic effect upon completion of tasks assigned at the various levels of device self-organizing peers,
network,
A medical device equipped with. The medical device of claim 3,
The task is any of physiological data sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, energy management, task allocation, and scheduling, and provides at least one of an alarm and a therapeutic effect.
Medical instrument. The medical device of claim 4,
The communication function comprises medical devices comprising direct symmetric and asymmetric cryptography between devices, indirect communication via an intermediate device, and a pipeline protocol. In medical equipment,
A network for monitoring patient posture and movement,
Including a plurality of component self-organized peer groups that hierarchically configure peer groups at various levels to form one or more total peer groups;
Each general peer group has a task or function to perform when various lower level lower layer tasks or functions of the peer group of the component device that includes the respective peer group are completed;
If the perceived posture and movement parameters exceed acceptable levels due to the completion of the functional task of each peer group, the network provides at least one of an alarm or therapeutic effect;
Network,
An in-range communication link between the component devices within a predetermined communication range;
An out-of-range communication link between the component devices that exceeds the predetermined communication range;
A medical device comprising: The medical device of claim 6,
The medical device wherein the therapeutic effect is one of mechanical support, electrical stimulation, chemical stimulation, activation, and administration of a drug. The medical device of claim 7,
Each of the component devices enables at least one of physiological data sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, task assignment, and scheduling tasks or functions and provides an alarm or therapeutic effect. A medical device comprising data, algorithms or protocols. The medical device of claim 8,
The in-range communication link further comprises symmetric and asymmetric cryptography. The medical device of claim 9,
The asymmetric cipher establishes trust between component devices;
The symmetric encryption approves communication between trusted component devices. The medical device of claim 9,
The out-of-range communication includes a medical device that includes communication via an intermediate configuration device and a pipeline protocol. The medical device of claim 11,
When the hierarchically configured peer groups at various levels of the component devices perform ranked tasks or functions, update the relationships between the component devices, and the underlying tasks and functions are complete, the network A medical device configured to provide said warning or therapeutic effect. The medical device of claim 12,
Each of the in-range communication links further comprises a channel;
Communication between two or more of the component devices is scheduled to avoid communication interference by assigning communication between the in-range component devices to the same channel. The medical device of claim 13,
The task assignment between the component devices is ranked according to the efficiency of the component device to which each task is assigned. The medical device of claim 6,
A series of components within each peer group,
A medical device further comprising: The medical device of claim 15,
At least one of a common task or function between at least two of the component devices in a peer group;
A medical device further comprising: The medical device of claim 16,
A medical device that performs a task or function upon completion of various lower level tasks or functions of the peer group of the component device that includes the peer group. The medical device of claim 6,
A one-time task or function,
Peer groups at various levels of the component device authorize subsequent levels or component devices to perform the task or function when the preceding one of the one-time task or function is completed.
The task or function,
A medical device further comprising: The medical device of claim 6,
A repeatable task or function,
The various levels of the component devices include pipeline communication between some or all of the component devices, and one repeatable task or function is in progress even if another repeatable task or function is performed. Enabling the processing of
The task or function,
A medical device further comprising: The medical device of claim 19,
The medical device, wherein the network reorganizes various levels of the configuration devices within each peer group according to changes in the configuration devices within each peer group or changes in the task or functional requirements. The medical device of claim 20,
The various levels of configuration devices update each other upon completion of tasks or functions, any performance failures of the configuration devices, or addition or deletion of configuration devices to the network. The medical device of claim 6,
The medical link is a wireless medical device. The medical device of claim 6,
A manager device designated by the component device at each peer group level,
Continuously assessing the reliability of the component devices comprising each of the peer groups to ensure that lower level tasks or functions are performed reliably and in a timely manner;
The manager device,
A medical device further comprising: The medical device of claim 6,
Upon receipt of an acceptable response to an advertisement that describes an intended task, function, or resource requirement to perform the task or function, the constituent devices that make up the peer group are configured to correspond to the intended peer. A medical device that is organized and approved to perform the tasks or functions of A method of monitoring patient posture and movement,
Placing a network of peer groups including two or more component devices within, on or around the patient;
Each component device performs at least one of sensing, data calculation, data distribution, communication, task assignment, and scheduling to provide a therapeutic effect.
Steps,
Hierarchically deploying the peer groups of the two or more component devices to various levels;
The various levels of peer groups and component devices comprise an overall peer group and a lower peer group;
Each level is assigned a task or function to perform,
Steps,
Until all peer group levels have performed their assigned task or function, the completion of the underlying task or function is communicated from one peer group level to the successor peer group level, so that the total peer group has an alarm or treatment effect Providing to the patient;
Including the method. In the posture / movement monitor system,
A hierarchical network of peers including a plurality of component devices disposed within, on, or around a patient and determining when the patient's posture and motion parameters exceed an acceptable range;
At least one peer group configured to provide an alarm or treatment effect to the patient when the patient's posture and movement parameters exceed the acceptable range;
With a system. The system of claim 26.
A baseline mapping of the stationary patient's posture and movement parameters,
Configured and stored for comparison with subsequent posture and movement of the patient obtained in the network;
The mapping,
The system further comprising: The system of claim 26.
An independent medical device connected to the network and providing the therapeutic effect;
The system further comprising: The system of claim 28, wherein
The therapeutic effect corresponds to a sensed parameter and includes at least one of diagnosis, drug therapy, therapeutic therapy, electrical or chemical stimulation, pump or infusion therapy, and orthopedic adjustment. The system of claim 26.
The therapeutic effect is provided in response to the alarm and includes at least one of diagnosis, drug therapy, therapeutic therapy, electrical or chemical stimulation, pump or infusion therapy, and orthopedic adjustment. The system of claim 26.
The various components of each peer group are disposed on corresponding limbs or body parts of the patient, and the posture or movement of the patient is provided to the component devices of the respective peer group and A system that makes judgments by comparing with a pre-set tolerance range for exercise. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein
At least one component is configured to sound the alarm or provide the therapeutic effect if the patient's posture and movement comparison exceeds the preset tolerance. ,system. The system of claim 26.
The system wherein the therapeutic effect further comprises changing a drug type, dosage, or timing.

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