Wireless sensing device and method with capability of short range radio frequency transmissions

Abstract

A device and a method of sensing and transmitting physiological pressures and body temperatures are disclosed. The device includes a transducer and a transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to broadcast a signal which is modulated by the output of a transducer. The transmitter is also adapted to limit the power of the output signal. The method includes transducing a physiological parameter and broadcasting a signal which is modulated by the transduced parameter. The power of the output signal is limited so that the signal will attenuate within a predetermined distance.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A wireless device for monitoring one of a plurality of physiological pressures associated with a patient, comprising: 
 a housing for protecting the device, the housing having a first planar surface adapted for placement on the patient;    at least one pressure transducer integral with the housing and adapted for placement on the patient;    a transmitter in operative communication with the at least one pressure transducer and operatively connected to the housing, the transmitter adapted to broadcast a signal containing pressure transducer information;    a display secured to the housing and operatively connected to the at least one pressure transducer for displaying a representation of output from the at least one pressure transducer.    
   
   
       31 . The wireless device of  claim 30  further comprising a memory disposed within the housing and operatively connected to at least one pressure transducer for storing an audio representation of the output signal.  
   
   
       32 . The wireless device of  claim 30  wherein the at least one pressure transducer includes a bell portion and a diaphragm portion disposed along said first surface.  
   
   
       33 . The wireless device of  claim 32  further comprising a switch for selecting either an output of the bell or the diaphragm as the output signal.  
   
   
       34 . The wireless device of  claim 30  further comprising a temperature sensor and wherein the display is further adapted to display a representation of output from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       35 . A device for monitoring one of a plurality of physiological pressures associated with a patient, comprising: 
 a housing for protecting the device, the housing having a first planar surface adapted for placement on the patient;    at least one pressure transducer including a bell portion and a diaphragm portion disposed along said first planar surface.    
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 35  further comprising a switch for selecting either an output of the bell or the diaphragm as an output signal.  
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 36  further comprising a display secured to the housing and operatively connected to the at least one pressure transducer for displaying a representation of output from the at least one pressure transducer.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 37  further comprising a pulse sensing transducer, wherein the switch selects the output of the bell portion, the output of the diaphragm portion, or an output of the pulse sensing transducer as the output signal, and wherein the display is further adapted to display a representation of the output from the pulse sensing transducer.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 35  further comprising a transmitter in operative communication with the at least one pressure transducer and disposed with the housing, the transmitter adapted to broadcast a signal containing pressure transducer information.  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 35  further comprising a memory disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the at least one pressure transducer for storing an audio representation of an output signal from the at least one pressure transducer.