Patient Management Device, System And Method

Abstract

A method for a user unit, a user unit and a system comprising said user unit. A unit ( 10 ) comprising a task manager ( 11 ) arranged to control the user unit; a communication interface ( 12 ) arranged in connection with task manager ( 11 ) and arranged for communication with an external device; one user interface ( 13 ) disposed in communication with the task manager ( 11 ) and adapted for communication with a user; a real-time interpreter ( 14 ) arranged in said communication task manager ( 11 ) and in communication with an instruction memory ( 15 ) and a data memory ( 16 ) and adapted to interpret event definitions, query lists, and at least a predefined schedule stored in the user units instruction memory ( 15 ); a real time clock ( 17 ) arranged in communication with the task manager ( 11 ) and arranged to continuously update the time, the task manager ( 11 ) is arranged to control communication with an external device and/or a user based on interpretations of the interpreter makes the event definitions, query lists, and the at least one predefined schedule, and based on the current time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable apparatus for managing a plurality of events related to a patient and for recording and storing input data related to said events, said portable apparatus comprising:
 a user interface comprising an input unit for registering patient input data elements and an output unit for providing information elements to said patient;   a timer unit arranged to trigger at least a first event of said plurality of events and to tag said input data with a time stamp;   a control unit, arranged to provide an invitation as an instruction via said output unit to said patient to perform a desired movement in a motion exercise, upon said trigger from said timer unit or upon a patient self-initiation;   at least one sensor unit arranged to record measurement data elements related to said motion exercise of said patient, wherein said at least one sensor unit comprises at least one accelerometer adapted to measure a motion of said portable apparatus; and a storage unit, arranged to retrievably store said input data comprising said patient input data elements and said measurement data elements, when recorded by means of said input unit and/or said sensor unit, together with said time stamp, and wherein said storage unit is adapted to store said measurement data elements from said motion exercise performed upon said instruction or upon said patient self-initiation of said motion exercise   wherein:   said input unit is responsive to said invitation provided to said patient by said output unit and upon triggering said event, or to a patient self-initiation;   said portable apparatus is adapted to be held by said patient, or attached in a fixed relation to a body portion of said patient, and thus to serve as a mass to be moved in a desired manner by said patient during said motion exercise in such a manner that said measurement data elements are provided that are related to a movement of said portable apparatus in at least two dimensions by said patient during said motion exercise; and   said control unit is a unit for analyzing said measurement data elements, wherein said analyzing unit is adapted to calculate a speed, direction of movement, distance, time and force that acts upon the device from said measurement data elements and said time stamp stored together, as provided by said movement and said mass of said portable apparatus, and whereby said control unit is adapted to provide a determination that said movement of said motion exercise has been correctly performed.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said motion exercise is adapted to provide a degree of muscle tone or muscle relaxation of said patient based on said measurement data, and wherein said accelerometer is adapted to provide said measurement data for determination of said degree of muscle tone or muscle relaxation. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said accelerometer is adapted to provide a kinematic determination of a three dimensional motion pattern during said motion exercise. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said motion exercise is selected from a variety of motion exercises comprising:
 a) coordinated motions in space, such as throwing the portable apparatus upwards without releasing grip and then lowering it softly back to the starting point of the exercise, or throwing the portable apparatus upwards while releasing grip and then catching the portable apparatus;   b) movement of at least one hand of the patient, such as winding a thread around the portable apparatus, moving the portable apparatus back and forth horizontally on a sturdy surface, or imitate whipping motion;   c) movements of an extremity, such as repetitively lifting an arm or leg, such as lifting an arm quickly upward for instance up to approximately eye level, staying in that position for a predetermined time, and then lowering the arm; moving an arm in a circular motion;   d) walking, such as having the portable apparatus inserted into a sock;   e) repetitively raising and seating down; and/or   f) simulating of free fall.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said user interface has a tactile communication input and output interface, and an acoustic and/or visual output communication interface, and wherein said user interface is adapted to provide an indication to said patient during said exercise for a control of a progress of said exercise, or to indicate borders between different stages of said exercise, including sounds, spoken words, and/or beeps. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said tactile communication interface is adapted to provide a haptic feedback or a vibrational feedback to said patient for said control of progress. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said patient input data and said measurement data are related, and wherein said storage unit is adapted to, in an absence of input data, to register and store a no input data element together with said time stamp. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said events are triggered at predefined scheduled times or at arbitrary times. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said predefined schedule settings comprises information and ordination requirements defined by a healthcare provider. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a communication unit, and wherein said sensor unit is adapted to communicate with an external sensor device via said communication unit, wherein said external sensor is for instance a further accelerometer, a blood pressure monitor, or a watch type physiological sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said communication unit is adapted to transmit information and ordination requirements defined by a healthcare provider. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , said storage unit comprising a memory unit for storing an information data base for predefined scheduled settings; and wherein said information data base comprises a plurality of questions. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising in combination at least one apparatus according to  claim 1  and an external processing unit, wherein said storage unit is arranged to provide said stored input data for processing to said external processing unit, wherein said external processing unit and/or said control unit is adapted to derive diagnostic data from said stored measurement data elements; and wherein said external processing unit and/or said control unit is adapted to provide a long-term summarized report of said stored input data for a physician. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said external processing unit is a local work station adapted to be managed by a healthcare provider; wherein said local work station is arranged to provide at least one portable apparatus with information and ordination requirements; and wherein said local work station is arranged to analyze transmitted information from said at least one portable apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said patient is a patient suffering from a neurological disease, Parkinson's disease, and/or pain. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said sensor unit comprises an accelerometer, and said diagnostic data is related to Parkinson's disease and based on a degree of muscle tone derived from said measurement data. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  and further comprising:
 a unit for registering movement of said portable apparatus by registration of an output signal from an accelerometer of said portable apparatus during a pre-defined motion exercise, and storing said output signal as measurement data elements, and 
 a unit for analyzing said measurement data for determining a degree of a neurological disease or an effect of a medication on said neurological disease. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said unit for analyzing said measurement data is adapted to analyze pause times in said movements, and wherein said diagnosis is based on said pause times.