User-retainable temperature and impedance monitoring methods and devices

Abstract

A user-retainable monitoring system is disclosed. At least a pair of sensors is provided in association with a support member. The support member is preferably of a type that may be worn by or at least temporarily implanted in a patient. Possible sensor types include temperature sensors and impedance sensors. Temperature sensors may be used to detect a temperature differential between areas of tissue indicative of pathology. Impedance sensors are used to detect subcutaneous fluid detection. The support member may take the form of a bandage, drain or other structure. Monitor structures as described may have stand-alone utility or be connected to a processor or data recorder to enable various functions.

1 .- 38 . (canceled)  
     
     
         39 . A device for monitoring a condition of a subject, said device comprising: 
 a support member; and    one or more sensing portions supported by said support member, wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise at least one of: an impedance sensor and two temperature sensors,    wherein at least a portion of said device is adapted to be implantable in the body of said subject.    
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , further comprising electronic hardware connected to said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein said electronic hardware includes one or more of an indicator for communicating information based on data from said one or more sensing portions; a telemetry or transmission unit; a memory unit; hardware for data acquisition from said one or more sensing portions; and a power source for said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 39 , further comprising a programmed processor.  
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein said programmed processor is adapted to effect storage of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect analysis of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect a secondary medical procedure based on data from said one or more sensing portions; or to produce a notification signal based on data from said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said support member is tubular.  
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said support member is a shunt, a graft, a drain, a prosthesis or a catheter.  
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the entire support member is adapted to be implantable in the body of said subject.  
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise two temperature sensors.  
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said two temperature sensors are spaced-apart a distance on said support member sufficient to obtain measurements of a wound comprising area using one of the temperature sensors and measurements of an adjacent non-wound-comprising area of said subject using another temperature sensor.  
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise an impedance sensor.  
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein said impedance sensor is supported by said support in a manner sufficient to position a portion of said impedance sensor adjacent a first side of a wound of said subject and a different portion of said impedance sensor adjacent a second side of said wound.  
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise an impedance sensor and two temperature sensors.  
     
     
         52 . A device for monitoring a condition of a subject, said device comprising: 
 a user-retainable support member comprising a sensor-supporting adhesive region and a sensor-supporting non-adhesive region,    one or more sensing portions supported by said sensor-supporting adhesive region and one or more sensing portions supported by said sensor-supporting non-adhesive region,    wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise at least one of: a portion of an impedance sensor and a temperature sensor.    
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 52 , wherein said user-retainable support is a patch, bandage, strip, wrap, sleeve or bracelet.  
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 52 , wherein said one or more sensing portions of said adhesive region comprise a first temperature sensor and said one or more sensing portion of said non-adhesive region comprise a second temperature sensor.  
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 54 , wherein said first and second temperature sensors are spaced-apart a distance on said user-retainable support member sufficient to obtain measurements of a wound-comprising area using one said first temperature sensor and measurements of an adjacent non-wound-comprising area of said subject using said second temperature sensor.  
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 52 , wherein said one or more sensing portion of said adhesive region comprises a first electrode of an impedance sensor and said sensing portion of said non-adhesive region comprises a second electrode of said impedance sensor.  
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 52 , further comprising electronic hardware connected to said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein said electronic hardware includes one or more of an indicator for communicating information based on data from said one or more sensing portions; a telemetry or transmission unit; a memory unit; and hardware for data acquisition from said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 52 , further comprising a programmed processor.  
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 59 , wherein said programmed processor is adapted to effect storage of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect analysis of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect a secondary medical procedure based on data from said one or more sensing portions; or to produce a notification signal based on data from said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         61 . A device for monitoring a condition of a subject, said device comprising: 
 a user-retainable support member comprising a non-adhesive region positioned between a first adhesive region and a second adhesive region; and    at least one sensor supported by said user retainable support member, wherein at least a part of said sensor is positioned at said first adhesive region and at least a part of said sensor is positioned at said second adhesive region.    
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein said sensor comprises a first electrode and a second electrode and said first electrode is positioned at said first adhesive region and said second electrode is positioned at said second adhesive region.  
     
     
         63 . A system for monitoring a condition of a subject, said system comprising first and second sensing structures, wherein each sensing structure comprises a support member and one or more sensing portions supported by said support member, wherein said one or more sensing portions comprise at least one of: an impedance sensor and two temperature sensors.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein said one or more sensing portions of said first sensing structure comprises a first temperature sensor and said one or more sensing portions of said second sensing structure comprises a second temperature sensor.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein said first temperature sensor is capable of obtaining the internal body temperature from a non wound-comprising reference area of a subject and said second temperature sensor is capable of obtaining the temperature of a wound-comprising area of said subject.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising electronic hardware connected to said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein said electronic hardware includes one or more of an indicator for communicating information based on data from said first and second temperature sensors; a telemetry or transmission unit; a memory unit; hardware for data acquisition from said one or more sensing portions; and a power source for said one or more sensing portions.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a programmed processor.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein said programmed processor is adapted to effect storage of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect analysis of data from said one or more sensing portions; to effect a secondary medical procedure based on data from said one or more sensing portions; or to produce a notification signal based on data from said one or more sensing portions.