Physiological monitoring system for a computational device of a human subject

Abstract

A system for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a human subject. The system of the present invention features a device with which the human subject regularly interacts, and which is connected to the computational device of the human subject for automatic collection of at least one physiological parameter which is also of medical interest. The device features at least one physiological sensor for collecting the measurement of the physiological parameter. The computational device of the human subject then preferably operates a software program to analyze the data which is collected, in order for the human subject to receive an alert when necessary. Alternatively or additionally, the collected data is sent to a remote computational device which is in communication with the computational device of the human subject for analysis. Optionally, the present invention enables the human subject to receive an alert if a deterioration in the physiological condition of the human subject is detected, thereby enabling the human subject to start preventive medical treatment with trained medical personnel as soon as possible. Thus, the awareness of the human subject about any incipient medical problem is immediately improved, which may result in an increased probability of being able to successfully treat and/or otherwise ameliorate those problems.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:
 a peripheral device of a host computational device for location in physical contact with the human subject having a regular user interaction in relation to said host computational device;   a sensor contained within said peripheral device, configured for sensing the human subject, said sensor automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of the human subject during said regular user interaction;   agent software processed by said host computational device, said agent software configured to receive, from said peripheral device, during said regular user interaction, data relating to said monitoring from said sensor for monitoring the human subject and for analyzing said data relating to said monitoring from said sensor, thereby to determine whether a physiological parameter of the human subject indicates a deterioration in the physiological condition of the subject according to an analysis of said data.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device is contacted by the human subject during normal interactions with said host computational device, such that said data is collected without requiring any additional action by the human subject. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said agent software determines whether a physiological parameter of the human subject indicates a deterioration in the physiological condition of the subject according to an analysis of said data. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said agent software determines whether a physiological parameter of the human subject indicates a deterioration in the physiological condition of the subject according to an analysis of said data. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein said agent software is configured to provide an alert to the human subject if said deterioration occurs. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 at least one of a remote server in communication with the host computational device for receiving, processing and storing said data for monitoring the human subject, or a manually operated call center for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject and for diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said alert is automatically transmitted to said human subject. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device includes a device for transmitting at least one command of the human subject to said host computational device for operating said host computational device. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device is at least one of a computer keyboard and a computer pointing device. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said computer pointing device is a computer mouse. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device comprises a touch sensitive screen. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device is in physical contact with the human subject while operating said host computational device. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said peripheral device comprises a mouse pad. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of a blood pulse characteristic, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, position, SpO 2 , carbon dioxide level, glucose level and respiration rate. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a SpO 2  sensor, carbon dioxide level sensor and a glucose sensor. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a piezoresistive sensor, a hydrophone, an ultra low pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and a fiber-optic sensor. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor includes at least one photo-plethysmograph transducer, and at least one of blood pulse shape, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate is measured through said sensor. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermistor, a thermocouple sensor, a positioning sensor and a weight sensor. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor includes at least an infrared thermopile sensor. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said sensor comprises a piezoceramic transducer. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 said peripheral device is a wearable device, wherein said wearing provides said physical contact;
 wherein said system comprises a processing unit contained within said wearable device for data analysis of said data from said sensor; and 
   wherein said host computational device is configured to receive said data analysis from said processing unit, and to receive at least one command from the human subject through the peripheral device; and   wherein said system further comprises at least one of a remote server in communication with the host computational device for receiving, processing and storing said data for monitoring the human subject or a manually operated call center for receiving said data and a medical history of said human subject, and for diagnosing said human subject according to said data and said medical history.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein said host computational device controls said sensor through said processing unit. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein said processing unit controls an operation of said sensor. 
     
     
         58 . A method for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:
 locating a peripheral device of a host computational device in physical contact with the human subject, through which to allow said user to have a regular user interaction with said host computational device;   from a sensor located in said peripheral device, sensing the human subject, said sensing comprising automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of the human subject during said regular user interaction;   receiving, from said peripheral device, during said regular user interaction, data relating to said monitoring from said sensor, and   analyzing said data relating to said monitoring from said sensor, said analyzing to determine whether a physiological parameter of the human subject indicates a deterioration in the physiological condition of the subject according to an analysis of said data.   
     
     
         59 . A system for non-invasive monitoring of a human subject, comprising:
 peripheral devices of a host computational device for location in physical contact with the human subject having a regular user interaction in relation to said host computational device;   sensors contained within said peripheral devices, configured for sensing the human subject, said sensor automatically collecting data about a physiological parameter of the human subject during said regular user interaction;   agent software processed by said host computational device, said agent software configured to receive, from said peripheral devices, during said regular user interaction, data relating to said monitoring from said sensor for monitoring the human subject and for analyzing said data relating to said monitoring from said sensor, thereby to determine whether a physiological parameter of the human subject indicates a deterioration in the physiological condition of the subject according to an analysis of said data.