Nexan Limited

Peter M Relph

William New, Jr

Harpal S Kumar

John D Place

Paul Johnson

William J Mullarkey

Laurence J Nicolson

Michael D Llewellyn

William G O'Brien

Steven Jones

A portable signal transfer unit for relaying a signal representative of physiological data of a mammalian subject from a remote physiological sensor to a remote receiver unit. The portable transfer unit includes an input device which operably receives the signal, a memory for buffering the signal, and an output device which wirelessly transmits the signal to the remote unit. The signal transfer unit also includes a signal processor for relaying the signal from the signal input to the output device, wherein the signal processor has two or more receivers each receiver adapted to handle a specified signal carrier frequency. An indicator is also provided which indicates to the subject whether the signal transfer unit is within range of the remote unit to enable effective transmission of the signal from the signal transfer unit to the remote unit.

Portable signal transfer unit

A system and method for monitoring vital signs and capturing data from a patient remotely using radiotelemetry techniques. The system is characterized by a cordless, disposable sensor band with sensors form measuring full waveform ECG, full waveform respiration, skin temperature, and motion, and transmission circuitry for the detection and transmission of vital signs data of the patient. A small signal transfer unit that can either be worn by the patient, e.g., on his or her belt, or positioned nearby receives data from the sensor band, which it then forwards by e.g., radio transmission to a base station that can be located up to 60 meters away. The base station receives data transmissions from the signal transfer unit and is designed to connect to conventional phone lines for transferring the collected data to a remote monitoring station. The base station may also capture additional clinical data, such as blood pressure data, and to perform data checks. Patient safety is enhanced by the ability of the base station to compare clinical data, e.g., ECG, against given profiles and to mark events when appropriate or when the base station is programmed to do so. Such events are indicated to the physician and could be indicated to the patient by reverse transmission to the signal transfer unit. A remote monitoring station allows the presentation and review of data (including events) forwarded by the sensor band. ECG analysis software and a user-friendly graphical user interface are provided to remotely analyze the transmitted data and to permit system maintenance and upkeep. The system of the invention has useful application to the collection of patient clinical data during drug trials and medical testing for regulatory approvals as well as management of patients with chronic diseases.

Portable remote patient telemonitoring system

Growing community of inventors

Essex, United Kingdom

Peter M Relph