A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a patient monitoring system and particularly to a vital sign patient monitoring system. The invention is more particularly to an interactive voice controlled patient monitoring system that reports the detected biological parameters of a patient under operation to a doctor through voice.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The medical device manufacturers currently have started manufacturing the talking medical devices such as talking alarm clock, talking blood glucose monitoring system for visually impaired persons, talking blood pressure monitor etc. These talking medical devices improve the interaction of the device with the users to improve the operating efficiency and handling of the medical devices by both the skilled and the semi or unskilled individuals thereby improving the sale of the medical devices. The voice-enabled medical devices help and encourage particularly the visually impaired individuals to use the medical devices more efficiently.
[0003] The medical electronics has offered many types of electromechanical medical equipments to the mankind to monitor the health and the physical fitness of a patient or a normal healthy person. These medical equipments measure the electrocardiography, Electroencephalography, heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, percentage of oxygenated blood, respiration rate and the amount of carbon dioxide in the inhaled and

the exhaled air etc. These types of electro-medical monitors are known as "vital sign parameter bed side monitor" in the art.
[0004] At present an operation or a medical procedure is performed by many surgeons and doctors in an operation theatre. Apart from the above mentioned persons, there will be assistants, nurses, biomedical instrument engineer, anesthesia specialist, staff nurse and many other people who directly and indirectly involved in an operation. As a result, the cost of an operation including the service charges of maintaining a big surgical team is increasing day by day. So, there is a need to design and develop the Patient Monitoring System (PMS) which can understand and recognize human speech commands and which can talk with a human voice.
[0005] The doctors operating on a patient may require to monitor some vital biological parameters of a patient continuously during an operation to understand the status of a patient and to take some corrective steps to mitigate an emergency during an operating procedure. At present the doctor has to look at the monitors to collect a required patient data or to collect data from the nursing attendants. It will be useful if the vital monitored parameters of a patient under surgery are fed to the doctor directly through voice so that the doctor can understand the condition of a patient quickly and easily and a manual error in reporting the vital parameters is avoided.
[0006] Hence there is a need to develop a medical device which can report the detected patient parameters to a doctor or anesthetist or surgeon through voice message and

respond to voice commands uttered by the doctor to control certain operations of PMS system through voice to mitigate an emergency during an operation and to perform a surgery efficiently and effectively.
C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to develop a talking, interactive and voice controlled vital sign monitoring device which will report the detected physiological parameters to a medical personnel through voice to enable a medical doctor to understand the condition of a patient under surgery or under observation quickly and to take corrective steps immediately to mitigate an emergency.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop an interactive voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system to report the measured critical parameters to a surgeon during operation to enable the doctor to track the condition the patient constantly to mitigate an emergency during an operation.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop an interactive voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system to reduce the risk due to errors during an operation by using an intelligent PMS.

[0010] Yet another objective of this invention is to request for certain parameter values from the PMS such as Heart Rate or Temperature through voice commands and to receive the requested values through voice message from PMS.
[0011] Yet another objective of this invention is to report certain alarm conditions such as 'Heart rate exceeding the set limit' by the PMS to the surgeon through voice.
[0012] Yet another objective of this invention is to control certain operations of the PMS such as 'Alarm enable /disable ', 'Pump OFF/ON', etc by surgeon through voice commands.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
[0015] The various embodiments of the present invention provide an interactive, voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system to report the measured physiological parameters of the patient to a surgeon during a surgical operation to enable the surgeon to

monitor and to recognize the vital parameter data immediately to mitigate an emergency during an operation.
[0016] The wireless communication system may be a Bluetooth communication system or a Zigbee communication system. The PMS will have standard components like a flat panel display, an optical encoder, a printer, a data storing and retrieval means.
[0017] The head speaker cum mouth micro phone (head set micro phone assembly) is wirelessly connected to a base unit through a wireless communication system such as Bluetooth, to enable a surgeon to receive a data and control a PMS device through the wireless communication system.
[0018] A voice command and control medical care system provided in the PMS system comprises a processor having a continuous speech recognition capability. The processor is programmed to process the conversation of a user to identify valid commands therein and to generate control signals for operating a patient monitor accordingly. The processor is programmed to generate audio messages reporting the status information on request and on certain alarm conditions, and to generate confirmation messages. The system is configured to interface with the medical device and to control a medical device through a voice command. The system is either a separate hardware - software module located inside or outside the PMS OR part of the hardware-software of the PMS itself

[0019] A headset microphone assembly wearable by a surgeon is communicatively coupled to the system for transmitting the input voice command to a voice recognition unit of the PMS and for receiving the system command confirmation signals
[0020] The system has a voice-operated remote control system provided with atleast two microphones and an ambient noise remover in a transmitter. One of the microphones picks up a voice command while the other microphone picks up an ambient noise. When the voice command is picked up by one microphone, the ambient noise is also picked up by another microphone simultaneously. The ambient noise remover acquires an ambient noise component from the received ambient noise signal to remove the acquired noise component from the collected voice command to output only a noise free voice command component The remote control system has a voice command detector and a mute control circuit. When the input of a voice command is detected by a voice command detector, the mute control circuit reduces the sound pressure level of the sound reproduced by an information reproducing device, before the starting of the input of a voice command. The remote control system is also provided with a recognition condition setting unit for modifying the speech recognition conditions automatically, when a voice command to be recognized is rejected. The remote control system further includes a speech storage unit for storing the input voice commands and a speech reproduction unit for reproducing the stored voice commands on request.

[0021] Some of the sample scripts input to a PMS are as follows:-
a) SettheC02Pumooff/ON
b) Enable / Disable the alarms
c) Mute the alarm.
d) What is the Temperature ?
e) Pulse rate?
[0022] Some of the sample scripts output by a PMS are as follows:
a) The invasive blood pressure value is mm Hg
b) The pulse rate value is BPM
c) The Sp02 saturation value is < value> percentage.
d) The body temperature is deg centigrade.
e) Warning - Blood pressure exceeded the limit
[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient monitoring system is provided near the surgical bed carrying the patient undergoing an operation, to monitor the physiological parameter of the patient undergoing operation. A surgeon is provided with a headphone assembly which is communicatively connected to the individual patient monitoring system through a communication system. The communication system may be a wired or wireless communication device. The surgeon asks for a specified physiological parameter data of the patient undergoing operation. The voice command control system provided with a speech processing circuit analyzes the

voice command uttered by the surgeon to forward the requested data to the patient monitoring system. The data acquired from the patient monitoring system is converted into speech data and is forwarded to the surgeon through the headphone assembly.
[0024] The voice command control system is communicatively connected to the headphone assembly worn by a surgeon. When the measured physiological parameter of the patient undergoing operation, exceeds a preset alarm limit, the alarm data is output to the surgeon by a voice message through the voice command and control system.
[0025] Thus the present invention provides a patient monitoring system which is interactively controlled by an input voice command to monitor and control the status of a patient during surgery. The condition of the patient is reported to the surgeon/medical personnel through voice to enable surgeon/medical personnel to recognize the condition of the patient quickly to take suitable and appropriate measure to mitigate an emergency.
[0026] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIGURE. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an interactive voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0031] The various embodiments of the present invention provide an interactive, voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system to report the measured physiological parameters of the patient to a surgeon during a surgical operation to enable the surgeon to

monitor and to recognize the vital parameter data immediately to mitigate an emergency during an operation.
[0032] The wireless communication system may be a Bluetooth communication system or a Zigbee communication system. The PMS will have standard components like a flat panel display, an optical encoder, a printer, a data storing and retrieval means.
[0033] The head phone cum mouth micro phone is wirelessly connected to base unit through a wireless communication unit, to enable a surgeon to receive a data and to control a PMS device through a wireless communication system.
[0034] A voice command and control medical care system provided in the PMS system comprises a processor having a continuous speech recognition capability. The processor is programmed to process the conversation of a user to identify valid commands therein and to generate control signals for operating a patient monitor accordingly. The processor is programmed to generate audio messages reporting the status information on request and to generate the confirmation messages. The system is configured to interface with the medical device and to control a medical device through a voice command. The system is either a separate hardware - software module located inside or outside the PMS OR part of the hardware-software of the PMS itself
[0035] A headset microphone assembly wearable by a surgeon is communicatively coupled to the system for transmitting the input voice command to a voice recognition unit of the PMS and for receiving the system command confirmation signals

[0036] The system has a voice-operated remote control system provided with atleast two microphones and an ambient noise remover in a transmitter. One of the microphones picks up a voice command while the other microphone picks up an ambient noise. When the voice command is picked up by one microphone, the ambient noise is also picked up by another microphone simultaneously. The ambient noise remover acquires an ambient noise component from the received ambient noise signal to remove the acquired noise component from the collected voice command to output only a noise free voice command component The remote control system has a voice command detector and a mute control circuit. When the input of a voice command is detected by a voice command detector, the mute control circuit reduces the sound pressure level of the sound reproduced by an information reproducing device, before the starting of the input of a voice command. The remote control system is also provided with a recognition condition setting unit for modifying the speech recognition conditions automatically, when a voice command to be recognized is rejected. The remote control system further includes a speech storage unit for storing the input voice commands and a speech reproduction unit for reproducing the stored voice commands on request.
[0037] Some of the sample scripts input to a PMS are as folJows:-
a) Set the C02 Pumo off/ON
b) Enable / Disable the alarms
c) Mute the alarm.
d) What is the Temperature ?
e) Pulse rate?

[0038] Some of the sample scripts output by a PMS are as follows:
a) The invasive blood pressure value is mm Hg
b) The pulse rate value is BPM

c) The Sp02 saturation value is < value> percentage.
d) The body temperature is deg centigrade.
e) Warning - Blood pressure exceeded the limit
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient monitoring system is provided near the surgical bed carrying the patient undergoing an operation, to monitor the physiological parameter of the patient undergoing operation. A surgeon is provided with a headphone assembly which is communicatively connected to the individual patient monitoring system through a communication system. The communication system may be a wired or wireless communication device. The surgeon asks for a specified physiological parameter data of the patient undergoing operation. The voice command control system provided with a speech processing circuit analyzes the voice command uttered by the surgeon to forward the requested data to the patient monitoring system. The data acquired from the patient monitoring system is converted into speech data and is forwarded to the surgeon through the headphone assembly.
[0040] The voice command control system is communicatively connected to the headphone assembly worn by a surgeon. When the measured physiological parameter of the patient undergoing operation, exceeds a preset alarm limit, the alarm data is output to the surgeon by a voice message through the voice command and control system.

[0041] Thus the present invention provides a Patient Monitoring System which is interactively controlled by an input voice command to monitor and control the status of a patient during surgery. The condition of the patient is reported to the surgeon/medical personnel through voice to enable a surgeon/ medical personnel to recognize the condition of the patient quickly to take suitable and appropriate measure to mitigate an emergency.
[0042] FIGURE. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an interactive voice controlled and talking vital sign monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.l, the patient monitoring system 102 is provided with a microphone 104 and an antenna 110 to transmit a data to a surgeon 108 requiring a patient data. The surgeon wears a headphone assembly 106, 114 and a microphone 112. The request for a data output through a microphone 112 which received by the PMS 102. The requested data is transmitted to the headphone assembly 114,106 through antenna 110.
[0043] The system has a voice-operated remote control system provided with atleast two microphones and an ambient noise remover in a transmitter. One of the microphones 112 picks up a voice command while the other microphone picks up an ambient noise 104. When the voice command is picked up by one microphone, the ambient noise is also picked up by another microphone simultaneously. The ambient noise remover acquires an ambient noise component from the received ambient noise signal to remove the acquired noise component from the collected voice command to output only a noise free voice

command component The remote control system has a voice command detector and a mute control circuit. When the input of a voice command is detected by a voice command detector, the mute control circuit reduces the sound pressure level of the sound reproduced by an information reproducing device, before the starting of the input of a voice command. The remote control system is also provided with a recognition condition setting unit for modifying the speech recognition conditions automatically, when a voice command to be recognized is rejected. The remote control system further includes a speech storage unit for storing the input voice commands and a speech reproduction unit for reproducing the stored voice commands on request.
[0044] Some of the sample scripts input to a PMS are as follows:-
a) Set the C02 Pumo off/ON
b) Enable / Disable the alarms

c) Mute the alarm.
d) What is the Temperature ?
e) Pulse rate?
[0045] Some of the sample scripts output by a PMS are as follows:
a) The invasive blood pressure value is mm Hg
b) The pulse rate value is BPM
c) The Sp02 saturation value is < value> percentage.
d) The body temperature is deg centigrade.
e) Warning - Blood pressure exceeded the limit

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The present invention provides a Patient monitoring system which is interactively controlled by an input voice command to monitor and control the status of a patient during surgery. The condition of the patient is reported to the surgeon/medical personnel through voice to enable a surgeon/ medical personnel to recognize the condition of the patient quickly to take suitable and appropriate measure to mitigate an emergency.
[0047] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0048] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :
1. An interactive voice controlled talking vital sign monitoring system comprising:
a) a Patient Monitoring System (PMS) including voice synthesizer and voice recognition and control module .
b) a headphone assembly wearable by a medical personnel;
c) wherein the headphone assembly forms a two way audio communication with the patient monitoring system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the PMS and the headphone assembly together form a two way audio communication device to receive a voice command from the medical personnel and to output a responsive voice message to the medical personnel.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone assembly is worn by the medical personnel to output commands to receive a measured monitoring parameter data and to receive the requested monitoring parameter data.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the medical personnel is a surgeon.
5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the medical personnel is an anesthetist.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone assembly includes two speakers and a microphone.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone assembly includes a speaker and a microphone.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone assembly includes a microphone to output commands to receive a measured monitoring parameter data.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone assembly includes a microphone to output commands to control a patient monitor.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the headset includes speaker to output the measured monitoring parameter value through a voice message.
11. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is heart rate.
12. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is blood pressure value.

13. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is cardiac output.
14. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured parameter is percentage of oxygenated blood.
15. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is respiration rate.
16. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is the amount of carbon dioxide present in the inhaled air and in the exhaled air.
17. The system according to claim 3, wherein the measured monitoring parameter is the level of consciousness.
18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the voice recognition and command module recognizes a voice command uttered by the medical personnel to identify a command to operate a patient monitor.
19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the voice recognition and command module has a processor with a speech recognition capability.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the processor is programmed to process the voice command message uttered by a user to identify the valid commands included in the voice command to generate control signals for operating a patient monitor.
21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the patient monitor is patient consciousness level monitor.
22. The system according to claim I, wherein the surgeon may give commands to the monitor to perform certain operations such as 'Switching off the C02 pump' or 'Disabling the alarm'.
23. The system according to claim I, wherein the PMS may transmit the selected parameter values to the surgeon as audio at a preset intervals.
24. The system according to claim I, wherein the PMS may inform the medical personnel regarding the alarm conditions such as 'Heart rate exceeded the set limit' through audio annunciation.

25. The system according to claim 1, further comprises an additional microphone to pick up the ambient noise to remove the noise signal from the voice command output from the medical personnel.