RU2048790C1 - Device for carrying out distant patient state control - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical engineering. SUBSTANCE: device has transmitter and receiver of electromagnetic signals, control panel, physiologic parameter transducer, information converter unit. Electromagnetic signal transmitter is connected to the central control panel output. Electromagnetic signal receiver with control unit is located on the patient body. Physiologic parameter information for all patients under study is processed on computer. EFFECT: simplified process; provided observation of several patients under treatment. 3 cl, 3 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to medicine, in particular to diagnostic devices.

 Known devices for monitoring the condition of severe and recovering patients (monitoring devices), for example, devices that provide remote monitoring (monitoring) of the condition of patients.

 The disadvantage of these devices is the inconvenience of their operation, too large dimensions and weight.

 Closest to the proposed device is a monitor for monitoring the physiological functions of the patient, consisting of sensors that measure the physiological parameters of the patient, for example, cadardiopotentials, a conversion and information processing unit that generates an alarm in case of physiological parameters deviation from the norm, an alarm transmitter and a receiving device that records this alarm.

 In addition to the radio channel transmitting information from a biological object to a researcher, it is known to use a radio channel transmitting command information from a researcher to a biological object (V. Tikhomirov, Biotelemetric Systems. M. Nauka, 1974, p. 58-78).

 Unlike the prototype, which provides information transfer from a researcher to a single bioobject, the proposed device, due to the corresponding circuit construction of the information conversion side and the control unit, as well as the introduction of new connections, provides simultaneous real-time information transfer from the researcher to a variety of biological objects and information about the results measurements from a variety of biological objects to the researcher.

 In FIG. 1 shows a functional diagram of the proposed device; in FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an information conversion unit; in FIG. 3 functional diagram of the control unit; in FIG. 4 diagrams explaining the operation of the device.

 A device for monitoring the condition of patients contains a central control panel 1, consisting of a computer 1-1 with devices 1-2 and 1-3 for inputting and displaying information, respectively, an electromagnetic signal receiver 2, an electromagnetic signal transmitter 3 and recorders I, II, i, k biological parameters located on patients (i is the number of the patient, which can take values from I to K, where K is the total number of patients observed).

 The output of the receiver 2, which is a bus of a standard communication interface, is connected to the input of the computer 1-1 of the central control panel 1. The transmitter 3 is also connected by a standard communication interface bus to the computer output 1-1 of the central control panel 1.

 The registrars I, II, i, k located on patients include sensors (4i-1). (4i-n) physiological parameters of the i-th patient (n total number, number of sensors installed on the i-th patient), block 5i information conversion, an electromagnetic signal transmitter 6i mounted on the i-th patient, an electromagnetic signal receiver 7i on the i-th patient, i-th patient control unit 8i, an autonomous power supply 9i for all equipment installed on the i-th patient, for example, a battery.

 The outputs of the sensors (4i-1). (4i-n) are connected to the corresponding inputs of the information conversion unit 5i, the output of which is connected to the input of the transmitter 6i. The output of the receiver 7i is connected to the input of the control unit 8i, the output of which is connected to the input of the information conversion unit 5i.

 As sensors for physiological parameters, any sensors can be used, for example, ECG potential meters (electrodes for removing biopotentials with amplifiers), temperature meters, and others. The main function of the information conversion unit is to convert the measured analog signals corresponding to the values of the measured physiological parameters into a serial binary code with which the emitted electromagnetic signal can be modulated.

 As transmitters 3 and 6i of the electromagnetic signal, any transmitters operating in the wavelength range, ranging from VHF radio waves to the range of light waves, for example infrared, can be used. All electromagnetic signal transmitters 6i operate at the same carrier frequency.

 The electromagnetic signal receiver 2, tuned to a wave of transmitters 6i, provides a sequential reception of the measured physiological parameters of each patient and the conversion of this information into a digital code, determined by the input interface of the computer 1-1 of the central control panel 1.

 The transmitter 3 of the electromagnetic signal provides the transmission in serial binary code of command information for controlling the recorder units located on the patient.

 The receivers 7i tuned to the wave of the transmitter 3 receive the command information transmitted from the central console 1. Since the transmitters 6i located on the patients and the transmitter 3 of the command information are separated in time, their frequencies may be the same.

 In FIG. 2 is a diagram of an information conversion unit 5i. The information conversion unit consists of a switch 10, an ADC 11 and an encoder 12.

 The inputs of the switch 10 are connected to the outputs of the sensors (4i-1). (4i-n), and the output with the input of the ADC 11, the output of which is connected to the input of the encoder 12. The second input of the encoder 12 is connected to the output of the control unit 8i.

 Using the switch 10, the sensors (4i-1). (4i-n) are alternately connected to the input of the ADC 11, which converts the analog information into parallel binary code, which is then converted using a standard encoder 12 into a serial binary code, for example, in the standard " Manchester 2 ".

 The control unit 8i (FIG. 3) consists of a decoder 13, two code comparison circuits 14 and 15, two memory codes 16 and 17 for storing the control codes, a time delay unit 18, and an OR circuit 19.

 The input of the decoder 13 is connected to the output of the receiver 7i, and the output with the inputs of the two code comparison circuits 14 and 15, the second inputs of which are connected to the outputs of the memory 16 and 17 of the control codes.

 The output of the first code comparison circuit 14 is connected through the time delay unit 18 to the first input of the OR circuit 19, and the output of the second code comparison circuit 15 directly with the second input of the OR circuit 19, the output of which is connected to the input of the information conversion unit 5i.

The main condition for undistorted transmission of information in accordance with the Kotelnikov theorem is
F _op ≥ (3-4) F ^max _fs ,
where F _{op the} frequency of the survey (frequency of measurements) of each physiological signal;
F ^max _{fs the} maximum value of the frequency of the physiological signal.

 It is known that the frequency range of the overwhelming number of physiological signals lies in the range from 0 to 100 Hz. Therefore, the polling frequency (quantization frequency) should be ≈ 400-500 Hz.

 At present, realistically achievable values of the ADC conversion time for such devices can be provided within 20 μs, and the information transfer speed over the radio link is up to 1 mbit / s. In this case, one 20-bit word can be transmitted in 20 μs.

 It can be seen from this that at a selected conversion and transmission rate of information and a polling frequency of 500 Hz, up to 100 physiological parameters can be transmitted simultaneously. If each patient measures and transmits 10 physiological parameters, then in this case, 10 patients can be observed simultaneously. If the number of parameters measured in each patient is reduced to 5, then the number of observed patients can be increased to 20.

 The proposed device operates as follows.

 Consider, as an example, two operating modes of the proposed device: a) an on-demand operation mode, b) a general synchronization operation mode.

 In FIG. 4a are diagrams illustrating the first mode of operation; figure 4, b the second mode.

 The abscissa axis on all diagrams shows time. Diagrams A show conditionally command code messages transmitted via the command line from the central control panel to the equipment of each patient.

 Diagrams I, II, i, k show conditionally code messages transmitted over the information line from the equipment located on the patient to the central control panel.

 Each code parcel indicated in Arabic numerals on the diagrams corresponds to the transmitted value of the measured physiological parameter.

 When the operation mode is on demand (Fig. 4, a), all command code messages have different meanings: each patient is assigned a code. The program for interrogating sensors measuring physiological parameters in the patient’s equipment is launched after the command code is accepted and decrypted (in diagrams this moment of time is indicated by shaded rectangles).

 The frequency of the survey of each patient is 400-500 Hz, which corresponds to a complete cycle of the survey of all patients 2-2.5 ms. The advantage of this mode of operation is its flexibility: if you wish, you can interview not all patients, but part of them or even one patient, but with a higher frequency.

 In the case of applying the operating mode with general synchronization, the equipment of all patients is configured to one common code, according to which the software devices of the equipment of all patients are simultaneously launched (Fig. 4, b). These program-time devices are configured in such a way that each subscriber is connected to the communication line at a certain point in time after receiving the synchronization code, therefore, the time intervals for the transmission of information by the subscribers to the central console are separated in time. The advantage of this mode of operation is a shorter information transfer cycle and higher noise immunity. Its disadvantages include significantly less flexibility: in this case, it is impossible to change the program for connecting subscribers from the central console.

 However, the above proposed circuit of the control unit 8i (Fig. 3) allows you to implement both modes of operation of the proposed device. This is done as follows. In the memory 17 (figure 3), each patient is entered his own code. In memory 16 is entered one common code for all patients.

 When working on request from the central control panel, a code corresponding to the code recorded in memory 17 is supplied. According to this code, the equipment of only one selected patient is turned on, all its physiological parameters are measured in accordance with the program and the measurement result is made in a short period of time after sending the control code transmitted over the information line to the central control panel.

 Then, the code of another patient is sent from the central control panel and the whole procedure is repeated.

 So in turn (with a frequency of 500 Hz) all observed patients are interrogated.

 This system allows you to change the survey program if necessary, for example, to interview with a higher frequency a limited number of patients or even one patient. Such a need may arise, for example, in the transmission of myographic information or in the analysis of evoked ECG potentials, where a higher sampling rate is required.

 In the case of applying the operating mode with general synchronization from the central console, a code corresponding to the code recorded in the memory 16, common to all subscribers, is transmitted via the command line.

 According to this code, each patient’s equipment is turned on at a time determined by the delay time block 18, which is set individually for each patient so that the moments of interrogation and transmission of information of all patients to the central console are separated in time.

 Formed as a result of the interrogation of the code parcels 1,2, n shown in the diagrams (Fig. 4), the electromagnetic signal emitted by the transmitters 6 is modulated (Fig. 1).

 Information on the physiological parameters of all patients, adopted by the receiver 2, is entered into the computer 1-1 of the central console 1.

 Next, mathematical express processing is performed in real time of all physiological parameters of the observed patients, and if they deviate beyond the permissible limit for a patient, the computer generates an alarm signaling the patient number for emergency measures.

 In addition, the received information can be stored in the memory of a computer for subsequent more detailed analysis.

 Compared with the known monitors, including monitors that record information on magnetic tape, the proposed device allows you to expand the functionality: to monitor in real time several patients at once and to immediately give an alarm in case of patients worsening, to conduct a subsequent more detailed analysis of the information received and also significantly simplify, reduce the cost and lighten the equipment worn by the patient, due to the fact that complex computers or magnesium are excluded from the composition of the equipment tofon, and all information processing is carried out in the computer of the central control panel.

Claims (3)

 1. A DEVICE FOR REMOTE SURVEILLANCE OF PATIENTS, consisting of a measuring and transmitting unit located on each of a group of simultaneously observed patients, including physiological parameters sensors, an information conversion unit, an electromagnetic signal transmitter and receiver, as well as an autonomous power source, while the outputs of the sensors are connected to the inputs of the information conversion unit, the output of which is connected to the input of the transmitter of the electromagnetic signal, and the central console is controlled I, located in the zone of reliable reception of electromagnetic signals, consisting of a computer with input and display devices, an electromagnetic signal transmitter, the input of which is connected to the computer output, and an electromagnetic signal receiver, the output of which is connected to the computer input, characterized in that - a patient transmitting unit, a control unit is introduced, the input of which is connected to the output of the receiver, and the output with the input of the information conversion unit.  2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information conversion unit consists of a switch, an analog-to-digital converter and an encoder, while the inputs of the switch are connected to the outputs of the sensors, and the output to the input of an analog-to-digital converter, the output of which is connected to the input of the encoder , the second input of the encoder is connected to the output of the control unit, and the output to the input of the transmitter of the electromagnetic signal located on the patient.  3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit consists of a decoder, two code comparison circuits, two code storage devices, a time delay block and an OR circuit, while the decoder output is connected to the inputs of the code comparison circuits, the second inputs of which connected to the outputs of the code storage devices, the output of the first code comparison circuit is connected through the time delay unit to the first input of the OR circuit, and the output of the second code comparison circuit directly with the second input of the OR circuit, the output of which is the output m control unit.

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