1480 results about "Nursing staff" patented technology

An elimination-absorber monitoring system addresses diaper-monitoring problems with a unique, low cost, multi-layer disposable sensor structure that absorbs small volumes of urine, yet allows most urine volume to flow unimpeded through it, and into the diaper below. When connected with a reusable, miniature monitor / indicator unit, the sensor presents a clear and on-going change of measurement condition upon experiencing a rapid influx into the diaper of a significant volume of urine, and / or upon a significant reduction in the available absorbency of the diaper's top surface. The sensor additionally provides recessed, protected elements for similarly presenting a clear and on-going change in measurement condition upon experiencing the presence of fecal matter. Further provided is the monitor unit employing narrow, widely-spaced, fast rise-time, fast transition-time pulses for conductivity measurement and alarm activation. The monitor and sensor are interconnected and attached to a diaper by particularly effective and unique means, and the monitor is equipped with a highly intuitive and convenient control interface, as well as improved assemblies for the transmission of audible and visual alarm indications. Also described is a convenient test-strip device which, when connected to the monitor / alarm unit of the system, can selectively simulate either a soiled or unsoiled elimination-absorber / sensor for test, caregiver-training or demonstration purposes.

A system for monitoring a patient's vital signs that features a vital-sign monitor including sensors for measuring from the patient at least one of the following vital-sign data: O2 saturation, blood pressure, electro-cardiogram, respirator rate, and blood glucose level. The system also includes a global positioning system that determines location-based data. A wireless transmitter, in electrical contact with the vital-sign monitor and global positioning system, receives the vital-sign and location-based data and wirelessly transmits these data through a conventional wireless network. A gateway software piece receives and processes the data from the wireless network and stores these data in a computer memory associated with a database software piece. The system also includes an Internet-based user interface that displays the vital sign data for both individual patients and care-providers.

A mobile personal computing and communications device provides for secure, reliable, accurate and up-to-date point-of-care medical information for rendering sound medical care to a patient. The mobile personal device may be used by either the patient and / or by caregivers to furnish, access and / or acquire and store the patient's medical records using wireless communications, to provide a treatment, to facilitate compliance with a treatment plan, to facilitate patient care, to facilitate collaboration on treatment for the patient's condition, and to proffer an authenticated medical directive, among other mobile medical services.

An elimination-absorber monitoring system addresses diaper-monitoring problems with a unique, low cost, multi-layer disposable sensor structure that absorbs small volumes of urine, yet allows most urine volume to flow unimpeded through it, and into the diaper below. When connected with a reusable, miniature monitor / indicator unit, the sensor presents a clear and on-going change of measurement condition upon experiencing a rapid influx into the diaper of a significant volume of urine, and / or upon a significant reduction in the available absorbency of the diaper's top surface. The sensor additionally provides recessed, protected elements for similarly presenting a clear and on-going change in measurement condition upon experiencing the presence of fecal matter. Further provided is the monitor unit employing narrow, widely-spaced, fast rise-time, fast transition-time pulses for conductivity measurement and alarm activation. The monitor and sensor are interconnected and attached to a diaper by particularly effective and unique means, and the monitor is equipped with a highly intuitive and convenient control interface, as well as improved assemblies for the transmission of audible and visual alarm indications. Also described is a convenient test-strip device which, when connected to the monitor / alarm unit of the system, can selectively simulate either a soiled or unsoiled elimination-absorber / sensor for test, caregiver-training or demonstration purposes.

A method and kit for the evaluation of wounds or ulcers (14) using ultrasound that allows an examiner to measure a wound (14) along with adjacent soft tissue structures (16) and bone (22) including tendon, ligaments, and muscle. This same method and kit contains gel (30) and an adhesive flexible film (32) which has a duo function and serves as a protective barrier preventing cross contamination between transducer (10) and ulcer (14), while allowing unimpeded conduction of ultrasound transmission to tissues (16) and subsequent echoes received from tissues (16) to be evaluated and recorded by a health care practitioner.

Systems and methods for monitoring the performance of a caregiver are disclosed. The systems may be configured to monitor the movement of each caregiver in a network of caregivers. One such system includes a plurality of strips adhered in spaced-apart relation on a mattress pad, upon which a subject is positioned. One or more transmitter is provided coupled to the plurality of strips. A processor in connected to the one or more transmitter. The processor is provided with operating software to record and report caregiver activity or both caregiver activity and subject activity.

There is provided herein a sensor / monitor combination designed to reduce the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence in immobile patients, wherein the level of patient activity is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified by the invention that it is time to manually reposition the patient. If the patient has significantly changed position during the predetermined time period and, thus, allowed previously compressed tissues to reoxygenate, the invention will not signal that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise healing sleep.

An injector is automatic in that the needle is inserted into the injection site (e.g., a patient's skin) with user or caregiver assistance, the delivery is automatically initiated upon needle insertion, and the needle is retracted automatically after the end of delivery. Preferably the needle is not seen by the user prior to, during or after injection. Prior to and after injection, the needle is hidden in the device so as to avoid any potential injury or health risk to the user or health care provider. The injector includes a housing and a shield arranged to slide relative to the housing and a driver moving during drug delivery. The housing and shield form a cartridge enclosure. The cartridge is shielded and locked after delivery is completed. A needle-locking mechanism can be used in any number of pen-like injectors or safety needles.

This patent document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for enhancing detection of pulmonary edema using, in addition to thoracic impedance, one or a combination of: physiologic information about a subject, at least one statistical parameter, a user-programmable detection level, at least one parameter associated with a previous pulmonary edema event, and patient symptom information about the subject. In one example, a (base) thoracic impedance threshold is modified to an adjusted thoracic impedance threshold. The adjusted thoracic impedance threshold provides an increased sensitivity of pulmonary edema detection as compared to the base thoracic impedance threshold. In another example, an alert is provided to a subject, a caregiver, or other user based on a pulmonary edema indication determined by the present systems, devices, and methods. In a further example, a therapy (provided to the subject) is adjusted or initiated in response to the pulmonary edema indication.

A physiological status monitor has a monitor and an interconnected sensor that generates a sensor signal. The monitor computes physiological parameters responsive to the sensor signal and displays physiological parameters accordingly. In an embodiment, the monitor displays physiological parameter information across multiple patients in a cumulative pie chart format so that a caregiver can quickly discern and readily identify patients in need of immediate medical attention.

An injector is automatic in that the needle insertion into the injection site (e.g., a patient's skin) is triggered by the user or caregiver, the insertion is automatic, the following delivery is automatically initiated upon needle insertion, and the needle is shielded automatically after the end of delivery. Preferably the user does not see the needle prior to, during, or after injection. The injector includes a proximal and distal housings and a needle shield arranged to slide on the distal housing. The injector has a driver arranged to move the syringe to cause the needle penetration, to inject the drug, and subsequently to release the shield. The syringe needle is shielded and the shield locked automatically after delivery is completed. The patient does not experience any injector force on the tissue during injection. The injector has built in patient safety features.

Methods and apparatus for storing health records in a secured manner are disclosed. Access to a patient's online health record is controlled by the patient (or the patient's caregiver). Specifically, a patient may choose to either grant or deny access rights to an individual such as a healthcare provider. Access rights may include read, write, and forwarding privileges.

There is provided herein a sensor for use in patient monitoring, wherein the level of patient activity in a chair or bed is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has significantly changed position, the device will not signal to the caregiver that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep.

The invention provides apparatus and methods for home or other remote delivery of health care that gather subjective and objective measures of patient health and treatment, analyzing them (e.g., correlating them with one another and / or with norms) and reporting them to aid in on-going patient diagnosis and treatment (both on acute and chronic bases), as well as to aid physicians, nurses and other caregivers in decision support, monitoring treatment compliance, facilitating regulatory compliance, billing, and so forth. Thus, for example, in some aspects a health care delivery device comprising a medical treatment apparatus, such as a home hemodialysis or home peritoneal dialysis unit, that is coupled to a processor. The processor generates patient queries in connection with treatments rendered by the dialysis equipment (or other treatment apparatus). The queries are directed, at least in part, to subjective topics, such as the state of the patient's mental health and well being, quality of life, degrees of pain, views on success of therapy, and so forth. They are presented on an LCD screen or other output device coupled to the processor to elicit responses on a keyboard or other input device, also coupled to the processor.

A method and system for intermittent female catheterization by a patient a patient's caregiver, or a health care provider are revealed. The system contains apparatus for at least one intermittent female catheterization and includes at least one female catheter, antibacterial soap, a lubricant, a mirror, step-by step instructions, and a container, where the above named items are positioned inside the container. The method includes self-care documentation for a medical professional to instruct a patient in the use of the system and to keep a record that the instruction of the patient was performed.

The invention discloses a dynamic electrocardiogram and motion recording and analyzing system, which is used for automatic detection on user activities and electrocardiogram analysis under activity scenes. The system comprises an electrocardiogram and motion sensor unit, a data acquisition, storage and transmission unit and an analysis and software unit, wherein the electrode of a motion sensor and the electrode of an electrocardiogram sensor can be packaged together or used independently; the system records and automatically detects daily physical motions of a user, such as lying, sitting, walking, running, tumbling, sitting up, standing up, sitting down, lying down and the like, and gives corresponding activity intensity; the electrocardiogram is automatically analyzed; and a corresponding mark is given when an abnormal electrocardiogram or abnormal activity is detected, all corresponding original signals and analysis results are stored, and nursing staff are prompted. The system gives heart rate variability of the user under different activity intensities, and changes of the heart rate variability along with activity types, activity intensities and time. The systems gives a method of analyzing changes of heart rate and electrocardiogram forms along with activity intensity and duration, and can be used for aerobic exercise optimization and exercise safety in motion and exercising.

The invention discloses a wearable / handheld personal communication device with hardware and software sensor modules that sense and analyze all caregiver prescribed / monitored user-lifestyle activities, and deploys such analysis in improving user's overall health in terms of reduced risks for all-cause morbidities / mortalities and eventually a life without drugs. Termed Rx Zero, such method may be prescribed not just for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but for treatment of chronic diseases with intent to wean the patients to minimal or zero pharmacological intervention, or in combination with medications to improve prognosis of the disease under treatment.The benefits of the Rx Zero method of the present invention extend not only to the individual and the community through high quality healthcare at lower cost, but payers by reducing the loss ratio on account of reduced cost of medical claims, and to the caregivers in terms of an effective tool that disseminates, implements and redefines “Primary Health Care” and “Prevention” at levels beyond the terms' currently understood scope that has transformed healthcare to sickcare.

A transportable vital signs monitor accommodates patients over a broad range of body sizes. The monitor has various universal vital signs sensor units attached to it, such as sensor units for blood oxygen saturation, temperature, and non-invasive blood pressure. The monitor has a graphical display and may have alphanumeric displays. The graphical display is for visually displaying various waveforms and other information of use to the caregiver such as an SpO2 waveform and a blood pressure waveform trend display. The graphical display may also display alphanumeric information. The transportable vital signs monitor may also include communications capability for transferring the vital signs, and in particular may include a short range capability such as Bluetooth for peer-to-peer communication of vital signs.

A moisture detection apparatus for signaling to a caregiver that a diaper or other article of clothing worn by an infant or adult being cared for by the caregiver is wet and needs to be changed. The apparatus includes a liquid transfer component having a plurality of capillaries for transferring liquid from the wet diaper to a remote location and a signaling device which emits either an audio signal or a visual signal, or both when an infant or adult patient is in need of attention due to a wet diaper or other article of clothing.

An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient. The nurse call feature is made up of hardware, software and cabling to connect to the nurse call system already installed in the hospital or care facility. The monitoring system can also be installed in vehicles to monitor operator physiological conditions. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. Bed exit alarms can be placed into a pause mode for supervised bed exit of patients on bed restriction. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm.

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for stabilizing at least one medical device such as a tracheal or gastric tube entering or covering at least one facial cavity such as the mouth and / or nose, taking advantage of a stabilization stent to secure to a patient's face the tracheal or gastric tube without the need to apply tape to the face, while maintaining visibility of tube markings, preventing kinking of the tube, and keeping the infant's face visible to parents and caregivers. In one form, the invention comprises a transverse stent comprising a superior border opposed to an inferior border, an inner surface and an outer surface. A first facial interface is attached to a first terminal end of the transverse stent, and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a first side of a patient's face. A second facial interface is attached to a second terminal end of the transverse stent and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a second side of a patient's face. A docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent supports the medical device. In a different form, the invention also includes gutters positioned on the inner surface of the respective first and second terminal end approximate to the respective first and second facial interface to channel oral fluids away from the respective first and second facial interface. The outer surface contains channels for containing and directing tubing, and fixaton points for attaching anchoring measures such as chin or head straps. The core of the transverse stent is hollowed to permit gas flow.

The present invention is a personal health monitoring system which interactively delivers treatment stimuli and compiles a chronological history of a patient's health. The invention includes personal health diaries for direct measurement of physiological measurement as well as collection subjective responses. The personal health diaries also deliver educational content and health related reminders. The personal health diaries are remotely configured to deliver patient specific display of the treatment information. Patient response information, timing signals are routinely transmitted to the central monitoring system. The central monitoring system is programmed to automatically alert caregivers and family members when responses fall outside patient defined normal ranges. Caregivers and family members can interactive with the central monitoring system to provide updated treatment information as well as personal inspirational content. Through education and appropriate intervention the present invention can improve and maintain the patient's health and extend their independent lifestyle.

The invention is directed to an absorbent article which has an outer cover, an inner absorbent material and a sensing system. The sensing system has a measuring device, a monitoring area and a warning device. The monitoring area has a plurality of conductors which are in electrical engagement with the measuring device. The conductors of the monitoring area are spaced apart to sense if an insult has occurred and to sense the size of the insult. A warning device is electrically connected to the measuring device. The warning device provides information to the caregiver regarding the occurrence and size of the liquid or solid insult.

The present invention provides a method for predicting seizures and for detecting seizures, and other potentially injurious or life-threatening events, optionally in conjunction with a mobile device. In an embodiment, a portable device provides epilepsy seizure prediction, detection, monitoring, analysis and alerting for epilepsy patients or other people afflicted with seizures. In an embodiment, the portable device may alert and communicate information to health care providers, caregivers and family members, emergency services, and the like. Collected data may be reviewed and analyzed for use in developing specific criteria for predicting and detecting seizures and other potentially injurious or life-threatening events.

A patient monitoring system according to one embodiment includes a real-time wetness sensor configured to detect the rate of change in wetness occurring within an associated diaper, and automatically adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor to account for a wetness event unrelated to urination. A monitoring unit may be utilized in such a manner that the monitoring system controller-monitors the wetness sensor and generates data associated with detected-wetness events relative to the diaper. A wireless transmitter configured with the monitoring unit and in communication with the monitoring system controller may be further utilized to send the generated data, through a host computer, to a caregiver unit having a caregiver system controller in communication with the host computer. The caregiver can then check the status of the patient, provide a service, and annotate the patients history by transmitting the recorded observation and service provided back to the base station.

The disclosed invention is a patient monitoring system that employs a pressure sensitive pad. The pad is placed beneath a patient who is lying in bed or sitting in a chair. When weight is removed from the pad, an alarm is given. The pad comprises an upper layer of circuitry and a lower layer of circuitry. When the respective layers of circuitry are in contact, the alarm remains off, but when the layers of circuitry become separated, the alarm is given. This invention is generally for use in hospitals and nursing homes to alert caregivers when a patient falls out of a bed or a wheelchair; or if a patient otherwise leaves a bed or chair against the wishes of the caregiver. This situation is of special concern with elderly patients, post operational patients, and / or at night when nursing staffs are reduced.

Applicants have disclosed a wireless method for remotely monitoring the physiological status of ambulatory patients by using at least one “cloud” server. Physiological data, including ECG data, is collected by a device worn by a patient and then wirelessly transmitted (e.g., via a cell phone) to the server(s). Remote processing of electrocardiograms (“ECG”) is achieved, in part, by data streaming packet lengths acquired over no less than 3 seconds—3 seconds is typically equivalent to about 3 cardiac cycles (heartbeats)—to provide the quickest response time by clinicians to try to save a heart patient's life. Other types of physiological data are monitored by the device, so medical help can be obtained when needed. In this manner, any sudden onset of vicissitudes in a patient's well being may be detected and transmitted to the care-giver and patient in near real-time.

A lateral flow device for testing a bodily fluid, such as urine, blood, mucous, saliva, etc., is provided. The lateral flow device is configured to be attached to an absorbent article via an attachment mechanism located on the lateral flow device or the absorbent article. The lateral flow device includes a chromatographic medium (e.g., porous membrane) that defines a detection zone that provides a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte. The device may also include a control zone that provides a signal indicative of whether a sufficient amount of bodily fluid has been provided and tested. Regardless of its specific configuration, the lateral flow device is configured to be attached onto the absorbent article to provide a user or caregiver with rapid information about a health condition. For example, the device may be attached onto a diaper to provide information about the presence of enzymes or other compounds often encountered with a patient having a urinary tract infection. This information may provide an early warning system to allow the user or caregiver to seek additional testing and / or treatment. Alternatively, semi-quantitative or quantitative results may be derived from the test.

A system and method that allows caregivers, central monitoring services, and other persons to monitor whether a monitored individual's hand(s) have entered into an area where the caregiver has determined the monitored individual's hand(s) should not be, such as where the monitored individual may remove or disturb a piece of medical equipment. Where the monitored individual's hand(s) do enter the restricted area that is represented by an electronic virtual safety zone, an alert can be generated by the system and method.