Methods and apparatus for monitoring patient conditions

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for monitoring patient orientation. A reusable sensor is configured to detect inclination angles of an anterior region of the patient. An elongated disposable attachment device is configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region such that the direction of elongation of the attachment device extends along the patient's sternum. The attachment device includes a sensor attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient, and a patient attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient, comprising:
 a reusable sensor configured to sense the one or more conditions of the patient; and   a disposable attachment device configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region, the attachment device including:   a pouch configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient, the pouch being configured to dispose the sensor therein to fully encapsulate the sensor, the pouch comprising a sealable opening to facilitate insertion of the sensor into the pouch,   a patient attachment portion configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region, and   a first connector attached to the pouch and a second connector attached to the patient attachment portion, the first connector and the second connector being configured to detachably mate to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless transmitter configured to be in communication with the sensor to receive measurements from the sensor and to transmit the measurements wirelessly to an external device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 2 , wherein the pouch is configured to fully encapsulate the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 3 , further comprising a sensor strip, wherein the sensor and wireless transmitter are disposed on or in the sensor strip. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the pouch comprises a pivoting arm to open the pouch to facilitate insertion of the sensor into the pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , further comprising a battery receiver disposed in the pouch and configured to house a battery to provide power to the reusable sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor strip with which the sensor is provided,
 wherein the sensor strip is configured to detachably mate with the battery receiver to allow the battery receiver to transmit power to the sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , wherein the patient attachment portion comprises two separate, physically distinct and non-integral attachment portions that are each individually removably attachable to the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller that is spaced apart from and physically unconnected with the sensor, wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits signals between the sensor and the controller. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller controls the sensor to vary the frequency of measurements. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller provides an alert in response to signals received from the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle falls below a certain angle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 12 , wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle falls below 30 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle indicates that the patient is attempting to stand. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller provides an alarm indication if the sensor detects that the patient's incline angle exceeds a certain angle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor the one or more conditions of the patient, including at least two of heart rate, respiratory rate, respiratory depth, GI motility, sleep analysis, and seizure detection. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to control an aspect of sensing of at least one of the monitored conditions based on at least one of another of the monitored conditions. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to affect the frequency of monitoring of patient incline based on data of at least one of the other monitored conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to affect the frequency of monitoring of patient incline based on data of at least one of heart rate, respiratory rate, and respiratory depth that indicates that the patient is asleep. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , wherein the patient attachment portion is configured for removable attachment to skin of the patient at a sternum of the patient. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is formed of a deformable material. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for monitoring conditions of a patient, comprising:
 a reusable sensor configured to sense plural conditions of the patient to monitor at least two of heart rate, respiratory rate, respiratory depth, GI motility, sleep analysis, and seizure detection; and   a disposable attachment device configured for removable attachment to both the sensor and the patient's anterior region, the attachment device including:   a pouch configured for removable attachment to the sensor such that the sensor is prevented from direct contact with the patient, the pouch being configured to dispose the sensor therein to fully encapsulate the sensor, the pouch comprising a sealable opening to facilitate insertion of the sensor into the pouch, and   a patient attachment portion attached to the pouch and configured for removable attachment to the patient's anterior region.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 22 , further comprising a wireless transmitter configured to be in communication with the sensor to receive measurements from the sensor and to transmit the measurements wirelessly to an external device. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 23 , further comprising a controller that is spaced apart from and physically unconnected with the sensor and configured to wirelessly receive sensor measurements from the transmitter. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 24 , wherein the controller is configured to allow a user to select which of the plural conditions of the patient to monitor. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 25 , further comprising a display configured to indicate the patient conditions that are being monitored. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 24 , wherein the controller is configured to generate an alert in response to the received sensor measurements. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 27 , wherein the controller is configured to generate an alert in response to the received sensor measurements and a comparison with information obtained from a user input. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 28 , wherein the user input comprises an incline angle. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus for monitoring one or more conditions of a patient according to  claim 28 , wherein the user input comprises a heart rate limit.