GB2552494A

GB2552494A - A portable monitoring device

Info

Publication number: GB2552494A
Application number: GB1612859.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Harfoot Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-25
Filing date: 2016-07-25
Publication date: 2018-01-31
Also published as: GB201612859D0

Abstract

A portable device and method for monitoring breathing rates, cardiovascular, heart or pulse rate, comprising a body with at least one clothing attachment means 60, a touchscreen display 1, a micro-processor, an audible output device and a timer; wherein the micro-processor is arranged to calibrate inputs on the touchscreen in relation to data pre-stored on the timer. Inputs of touches on the touchscreen may be analysed to calculate the rates by the micro-processor. In embodiments, a user presses the touch screen to indicate when an event, such as a heartbeat or breath, has occurred and the device times when the presses occur and/or the intervals of time between presses.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A portable monitoring device

Abstract Title: Touchscreen based manual method for monitoring breathing rates, cardiovascular, heart or pulse rate (57) A portable device and method for monitoring breathing rates, cardiovascular, heart or pulse rate, comprising a body with at least one clothing attachment means 60, a touchscreen display 1, a micro-processor, an audible output device and a timer; wherein the micro-processor is arranged to calibrate inputs on the touchscreen in relation to data pre-stored on the timer. Inputs of touches on the touchscreen may be analysed to calculate the rates by the micro-processor. In embodiments, a user presses the touch screen to indicate when an event, such as a heartbeat or breath, has occurred and the device times when the presses occur and/or the intervals of time between presses.

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A PORTABLE MONITORING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable monitoring device. In particular the invention relates to a portable device for monitoring breathing rate and/or, cardiovascular activity and/or heart or pulse rate.

Background

Increasing awareness of health issues in many societies is allied often to an uptake in electronic equipment.

Medical professionals are frequently required to assess their patients’ pulse rates and respiratory rates. However, conventional methods of obtaining this require the use of an analogue watch. The user counts the number of pulses or respirations over a period of time and then multiplies it by a required number to give typical rate of breaths or beats per minute.

It is widely recognised that an accurate way of using this conventional method is by counting the number of breaths or beats over a period of 60 seconds. Conventional methods are both time consuming and prone to user error.

Most health organisations recommend that medical personnel are bare from the elbows down for hygiene reasons.

Prior Art

United States patent application US 20 140 171 814 (Whitfield) discloses a device for reporting a heart rate comprising: an input device actuated by an end user each time the end user detects a heartbeat of a patient; a microprocessor coupled to the input device. The microprocessor is programmed with a first predetermined patient heartbeat threshold having a first unique identifier. A second predetermined patient heartbeat threshold has a second unique identifier. A third predetermined patient heartbeat threshold has a third unique identifier. The microprocessor includes a central processing unit (CPU).

International patent application WO 2013 179 031 (KILLEN) discloses medical monitoring equipment specific to respiratory rate measuring systems.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 348 715 (MACKIE) discloses a heart rate measuring apparatus that incorporates a user operable key, for example for use by a health-care practitioner. Each time a pulse beat is felt, the user operates the key. Thus, after a few beats have been sensed in this way the resulting display indicates a subject's heart rate.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect the present invention there is provided a portable device for monitoring breathing rate and/or cardiovascular activity and/or heart or pulse rate, comprising: a body with at least one clothing attachment means; a touchscreen display; a micro-processor; an audible output device; and a timer; wherein the microprocessor is arranged to calibrate inputs on the touchscreen in relation to data prestored on the timer.

The inputs of touches on the touchscreen may be analysed and rates extrapolated from the data by the micro-processor.

In some embodiments, in use, a user presses the touch screen to indicate when an event has occurred and the device times when the presses occur and/or the intervals of time between presses. An event may be a pulse, may be a heartbeat or may be breath. In some embodiments the device may be operable in a plurality of different modes corresponding to the timing of different events. In some embodiments only presses in a certain area of the touch screen are timed or have their intervals recorded. In some embodiments the audible output device is configured to produce an audio signal when a press is detected and/or when a time or interval is recorded.

In some embodiments the device is configured to calculate a rate of presses. In some embodiments the device may recalculate the rate after each press. In some embodiments the calculated rate is displayed on the screen and may be updated after each press. In some embodiments the device emits an alert if the calculated press is within some pre-set parameters which may correspond to known heart or breathing rates.

In some embodiments the device may be operable in a mode where one press corresponds to a pre-set number of events, and the device calculates and/or displays an event rate from the press rate. For example, the device may be operable in a mode where a user presses the touchscreen every ten events, and the device may calculate and display an event rate which is 10 times as great as the press rate.

In some embodiments the device may be configured to emit or signify an alert if presses are irregular. For example, the device may emit or signify an alert if the variance of the intervals between sequential presses exceeds some pre-set value. This may allow the device to determine whether a heart, and/or pulse and/or breathing rate is irregular.

In some embodiments the device may be configured to store an event rate. For example, in some embodiments the device may store a first calculated event rate and then calculate and display a second event rate while still displaying the first event rate. This may for example allow the device to display a user’s pulse rate while a breathing rate or heart rate is being calculated.

In some embodiment the device is pre-programmed or is programmable with ranges of values for heart, pulse or breathing rates which correspond with known conditions or symptoms and may emit or display alerts if calculated rates are within the ranges.

In some embodiments the micro-processor is advantageously arranged to time a sequence of inputs. Such inputs may then be related to a pre-determined sequence or timing of events; more particularly reference to timing of differing heartbeats.

In some embodiments the timer facility enables the device to provide a real-time clock function in addition to time-sensitive data processing.

The clothing attachment means may comprise one or more lanyard attachment point. The clothing attachment means may be a clip. The attachment point or points may allow for attachment using a clip, strap, chain or rope.

The clothing attachment means may comprise a safety or clothes pin.

The clothing attachment means may comprise a standalone clip means, for example a substantially rigid clip means, utilising or with resilient deformation.

The clothing attachment means may comprise an extendable portion, for example the attachment may comprise an extending, spring biased or elastomeric portion which is extended onto or over clothing of the user.

In some embodiments the lanyard attachment point supports a lanyard, with a distal end arranged for clothing attachment, for example having a pin.

In some embodiments two lanyard attachment points support two pins. Such pins may be utilised for support of a strap or hanger means, which may be independently provided or comprised within the device of the present invention.

In this way the lanyard points may enable the device to be worn as a pendant, or other hanging mechanism, so as to render the device more hygienic.

In some embodiments the audible output device is arranged to convey outputs from both the micro-processor and timer facility. For example in some embodiments the micro-processor may provide periodic outputs from the audible output device in a timing to replicate coronary pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rhythms.

For example, when administering CPR, the device is capable of outputting an audible alert, at pre-set time intervals, that may for example recur every 2 minutes, 3 minutes or and 4 minutes. For example, these time frame indicate where 2 minutes specifies when to swap the person giving CPR under industry best practice, and 4 minutes signals when to administer medication. Such audible alerts markers may have different sounds, to enable a user to identify which is which. The provision of such markers may be activated by a single activation input to the micro-processor.

In some embodiments the device comprises a liquid crystal (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display screen. In some embodiments the device may comprise an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display screen. In some embodiments the device may provide a light source, and in others additionally or alternatively a backlit display screen for low light levels.

Some embodiments may have a directable light source, for example a torch. This torch may be utilised as a pupil torch, for use in examination of pupil dilation.

The lanyard attachment points may be arranged perimetrically along one side or an end of the device, so as to provide a downward hanging device under gravity and in use.

Such torch may be situated on a side or an end of the device, in particular the end of the device furthest from the lanyard attachment point(s) so as to allow the user to direct the device and torch into a patient’s eyes.

In some embodiments the display may be arranged at rest to display the time. The time may be displayed as a digital or analogue watch display.

The display may be arranged to be read from the direction of the lanyard or attachment means.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the device may include an accelerometer or other gravity enabled mechanism, such that the device is enabled to recognise in what orientation it is in. In this way the device may be enabled to recognise whether it is hanging or has been lifted up for use. This may enable a change in orientation of the display contents, for example wherein the display content may be displayed in one orientation and reversed when the mechanism registers it being lifted and reoriented. For example, the display contents may be displayed vertically reversed and/or backwards for reading in a mirror when the device is hanging.

The device may include a battery energy source, which battery may be displaceable and/or rechargeable.

In embodiments where the battery is rechargeable the device may provide a charging interface or port, for example a universal serial bus (USB) port. In some embodiments the port may enable data transfer to or from the device. In some embodiments the device may comprise updateable software and in some embodiments the device may comprise wireless data transfer.

The micro-processor and display may comprise a low-power mode, where for example the display is not functioning, or shows the time solely.

This low power mode may be deactivated by a press on a button, or movement of the device, for example where the device has an orientation mechanism.

In some embodiments the audible output device may be a loudspeaker.

The body may be monolithic, wherein the device comprises a single unit with no or minimal moving parts. In some embodiments the device may comprise only two or three side mounted mechanical buttons, and the body may be wipeclean or glossy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of checking a patient’s vital statistics using a touchscreen device substantially as described herein.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of the first embodiment with a replacement attachment means;

Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 5.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising, in Figures 1 to 4, a clothing attachment means 60 comprising an attachment point 4 extended from the body on an end of a strap 3; and an internal micro-processor providing a timer facility, and connected to a touchscreen display 1, comprised within a compact portable body 20.

The strap tapers away from the body of the device and has a distal end extending orthogonally supporting a clip means 4. The clip means comprises an elongate metal pin 9 with an end 10 having a pivot and a pointed end, the pivot welded to a plate 8 comprising a catch 7 for the pointed end.

The body is substantially square with a chamfered back 16, curved corners and planar with a single continuous edge 2 round a distal end and the sides. It has a proximal end having the lanyard attachment point 17 extending away centrally, which provides a continuous barrel slot 18 for support of the strap. The strap further includes two bolts 12, which screw into perforations 15 through the sides of the strap, and subsequently into either side of the barrel slot of the lanyard attachment point. The slot is consequently threaded inside. The body and strap are advantageously easy to keep clean, having minimal crevices or corners to catch dirt.

The strap is a silicone member, tapering away from the attachment point, and forming a distal bar end, which end provides support for the plate supporting a hinged metal pin and catch. The strap is arranged to surround the proximal corners of the body and replicate the body depth, so as to provide a minimal seam between the parts and increase hygiene.

The silicone strap flexes to enable the body of the device to be reoriented so as to enable easier reading in use.

The body has a curved display cover plate 19, which covers substantially the front face of the body and has minimal seaming with the body.

The body further includes mechanical buttons 6, two on one side, and another on the other side, the last sharing the side with a micro-USB charging port 13. A fourth button 66 is on the distal end of the body, and is a slider arranged sliding in a slot 24 for CPR mode interactions, wherein the position and consequently the electronic state are advantageously visible.

The other buttons provide a reset function, backlight operation, and a general function toggle; wherein the reset button and backlight button are arranged on one side of the body proximal to distal respectively and the port and general function button are on the other side proximal to distal respectively.

The function button cycles between main modes. Mode one is the time. Mode two is the calculator function. A third mode may be the CPR function. The spun metal side buttons with a slight chamfer nest into small recesses in the body.

Mode A or B can be selected for the CPR function, aiding in performing CPR. “Mode A” is a CPR metronome which sounds a 2 minute beep and a 4 minute beep. “Mode B” is a 2 minute and 4 minute beep tone only.

The micro-processor is arranged to recognise touches on the display and assign a timing interval pattern to the touches, which pattern is calibrated with or compared to internally stored data for real time analysis of a patient’s pulse rate. In some embodiments the micro-processor extrapolates rates from a short sequence of inputs.

On recognition of an irregular or improper rate the device may be arranged to provide an alert via the audible output device, wireless communication means or visually, advantageously where the alert settings may be user controlled to avoid disturbance.

The internal battery can be charged using a micro USB cable.

When in a calculator mode, the user taps the screen in time to the patient’s pulse/breathing rate.

The device then calculates the rate per minute.

The micro-USB may alternatively and additionally allow for transfer of data to and from the micro-processor.

The second embodiment of the device comprises a replacement for the strap, using 10 the lanyard attachment point slot, and comprising a split ring 26 or key ring.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A portable monitoring device for breathing rates, cardiovascular, heart or pulse rate, comprising a body with at least one clothing attachment means, a touchscreen display, a micro-processor, an audible output device and a timer; wherein the micro-processor is arranged to calibrate inputs on the touchscreen in relation to data pre-stored on the timer.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein inputs of touches on the touchscreen are analysed and rates extrapolated from the data by the micro-processor.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the clothing attachment means comprises at least one lanyard attachment point.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the clothing attachment means comprises a strap.

5. A device according to claim 4 comprising a silicone strap.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the clothing attachment means comprises a pin.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the clothing attachment means comprises displaceable parts.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the microprocessor is enabled to relate touchscreen inputs to stored data, and generate analysis regarding a patient’s cardiovascular rates.

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the microprocessor is arranged to provide alerts relating to cardiovascular or CPR timing.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the timing is 2 minute intervals and 4 minutes, each provided with a different alert.

11. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a mechanical slider control mechanism to control state of the micro-processor.

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims displaying the time at rest.

13. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a universal serial bus recharged rechargeable battery.

14. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a backlight display.

15. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the display is arranged to be read from the direction of the attachment means.

16. A method of analysing cardiovascular rates utilising a device according to any

15 of the preceding claims.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1612859.7 Examiner: Mr Conor McMichael