MESSAGING BASED REMOTE MONITORING OF INFANT CARE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a remote monitoring of infant care devices. More specifically it relates to utilizing messaging service for remotely monitoring infant care devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Monitoring any failure condition in an infant care device or health condition of a patient in real-time or without much delays can help early detection and resolving of issues. An infant care device, such as a warmer or incubator, is a device used for treatment of infants, often those prematurely born or requiring specialized treatment and care due. Infants are placed in these devices that create a carefully controlled microenvironment around the patient. Caregivers need to monitor or check the infant care device regularly to confirm if there are any defects in the device operation or any change in the health condition of the patient. Frequently observing the device and the patient may be challenging, however it is essential to ensure that alarming conditions are noticed by the caregiver.
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[0003] The infant warmer may have some failures during its operation such as probe failure, power failure, system failure, heater failure, relay failure and so on. If the device failures are not promptly identified, the infant warmer device may stop functioning and . negatively impact the patient. In addition to monitoring the temperature of the microenvironment, deviations from a desired body temperature of the infant must be monitored, and caregivers may need to physically examine the infant should this be detected. Hence due to such scenarios and in failure conditions, caregivers frequently visit or remain in close proximity to the devices. Thus there is a need of an improved system and method for monitoring infant care devices and the health condition of patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an improved system and method for enabling remote monitoring of an infant care device, which overcomes one or more drawbacks of the prior art. This is achieved by the system having the capability of as defined in the independent claim.

[0005] One advantage with the disclosed system is that it provides a system for enabling remote monitoring of an infant care device. The system enables the infant care device to send messages indicating a health condition of a patient and an operating condition of the infant care device to a remotely located user. The user may be a caregiver, such as a nurse or a doctor. The messages are received in an electronic device of the caregiver, thus the caregiver can take appropriate steps based on the situation.

[0006] In an embodiment a system for enabling a user to remotely monitor an infant care device is disclosed. The system includes a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameters and generate an . alarm when an alarm condition relating to the at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and a communicator configured to send messages indicating the alarm condition and information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters of the patient to an electronic device of the user.

[0007] In another embodiment an infant care device is disclosed. The infant care device includes an infant platform configured to support an infant and a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameter and generate an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected. A communicator is configured to send a message indicating the alarm condition, information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters and device operation information to a portable electronic device of a user.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, a method of remotely monitoring an infant care device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of device operation parameters and a plurality of patient physiological parameters; generating an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and sending a message indicating the alarm condition, information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters and information associated with the plurality of operation parameters to an electronic device.

[0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages thereof, will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system capable of enabling remote . monitoring of an infant care device according to an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the system communicating with multiple electronic devices according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a message sent from the system to an electronic device according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a message sent from the system to an electronic device according to an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of multiple infantcare devices that need to be monitored remotely according to an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for remotely monitoring an infant care device according to an embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for remotely monitoring an infant care device according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. 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 other embodiments may be utilized and that 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 as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0018] As discussed in detail below, embodiments of a system enabling remote monitoring of an infant care device is disclosed. The system includes a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameters and generate an alarm when an alarm condition relating to the at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and a communicator configured to send messages indicating the alarm condition and information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters of the patient to an electronic device of the user.

[0019] In another embodiment an infant care device is disclosed. The infant care device includes an infant platform configured to support an infant and a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameter and generate an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected. A communicator is configured to send a message indicating the alarm condition, information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters and device operation information to a portable electronic.device of a user.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 100 configured to remotely monitor an infant care device 102 according to an embodiment. The infant care device 102 may be an infant incubator and an infant warmer, a resuscitation device, and so on. The infant care device 102 or its parts may fail or operate inefficiently or not operate in a desired manner. A user of the infant care device 102, such as a caregiver, may not be always located close to the device. The system 100 is configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameters. As will be discussed in further detail below, device operation information may comprise, but not be limited to a device failure, such as a power failure, or a part failure, such as radiant heater failure, a device operating parameter such as power status, humidifier water level, humidification setting, temperature setting, or alarm volume, or any combination thereof. Patient physiological parameters may comprise, but not be limited to, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, neurological activities, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), carbon dioxide measurement, cardiac output, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtC02) and airway respiration rate (AWRR), or a combination thereof.

[0021] The system 100 is configured to detect an alarm condition. The alarm condition may relate to operation information of the infant care device 102, a patient physiological parameter, or a combination thereof. The device operation information may relate to an operating condition indicating a failure condition or any improper operating condition associated with the infant care device 102. For instance, it may be a technical failure in.the infant care device 102, a device part failure or improper operation of a part of the infant care device 102 or the infant care device itself. A processor 104 receives the device operation information that indicates the operating condition of the infant care device 102. The device operation information is also associated with operation status of subsystems or device parts of the infant care device 102. The subsystems or parts may include a probe, a heater, a power circuit board, a control board, alarm units, a humidifier, and so on. Whenever there is a failure or malfunction of any of the subsystems, the processor 104 detects an alarm condition. In an embodiment, the device operation information may be values that indicate the operating status of the subsystems. When the values go beyond respective threshold values then it indicates a failure or malfunction in respective device parts or subsystems.

[0022] The processor 104 may also receive the plurality of physiological parameters and detect an alarm condition when at least one of the patient physiological parameters is beyond a threshold value. The patient physiological parameters may include, but are not limited to, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, neurological activities, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), carbon dioxide measurement, cardiac output, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtC02) and airway respiration rate (AWRR), or any combination thereof.

[0023] If an alarm condition is detected, then a communicator 106 sends a message indicating the alarm condition to an electronic device 108 of a user. The message may be in a short message service (SMS) format. The user can view the message and may then be able to take appropriate steps to respond to the alarm condition. Considering an example of failure in heater power of an infant warmer, the failure can be detected and a message can be configured and sent to an electronic device of a caregiver. The message indicates that the power supply to the heater has failed.- The failure may be due to some malfunction in the power circuit board controlling the heater. The caregiver can then inspect the infant warmer to identify the cause of the alarm and take corrective action to bring the power supply back to normal operating condition. Such alarm conditions are notified in real time to the user's electronic device so that corrective action can be taken and in the event such condition can affect patient's health condition it can be addressed.

[0024] The system 100 comprises a communicator 106 operatively connected to the processor 104. As shown in Figure 2, the communicator 106 is configured for bi- , directional wireless communication with an electronic device 200. The communicator 106 comprises a transmitter 202 and a receiver 204.

[0025] The electronic device 200 needs to be known to the system 100 for establishing -the communication. FIG. 2.illustrates the system 100 communicating with multiple . electronic devices according to an exemplary embodiment. Multiple electronic devices such as, an electronic device 200-1 and an electronic device 200-2 may need to be registered with the system 100 for establishing connection. In order to register the electronic device 200-1, a command may be sent from the electronic device 200-1 to the communicator 106. In an embodiment, the command may include identification number associated with the electronic device 200-1. In case of the electronic device 200-1 being a mobile device of the caregiver, the identification number may be a mobile number. In another embodiment, the command may also include a passcode. The command may be in a message format such as SMS format. Here, for example, the message may include the mobile number along with the passcode. The command is received at the communicator 106 and then analyzed. The communicator 106 is configured to authenticate the electronic device 200-1 based on the identification number, passcode, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the passcode may be any unique number or code that enables the system 100 to identify the electronic device 200-1 as an authentic device. Once authenticated, the electronic device 200-1 starts communication with the system 100. Before communicating, the system 100 may send an acknowledgment message indicating that the electronic device 200-1 is registered. The user (i.e. caregiver) can view the acknowledgment message. Once the system 100 is connected to an infant care device, a transmitter 202 may transmit "messages to the electronic device 200-1. The messages may indicate a failure in the infant care device or any alarm condition associated with the health of the patient. The electronic devices can also send messages or commands (in the form of a message) to the system 100 which are received by a receiver 204 for processing.

[0026] In an embodiment, the system 100 may operate based on Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technique. The system 100 may be embodied in a GSM module and connected to the infant care device. More specifically, the communicator 106 may operate using the GSM technique wherein the communicator 106 is a GSM . module. The GSM module can communicate with the electronic devices via messages. The GSM module may be integrated within the infant care device or operatively . connected to the infant care device.

[0027] Now referring back to registering of electronic devices to the system 100, multiple electronic devices can be registered and start communication. Another electronic device 200-2 may also get registered with the system 100. A memory 206 operatively coupled to the processor 104, and therefore the communicator 106, may have a registry of different electronic devices registered with the system 100. The registry may also have electronic devices and their associated identification numbers or associated passcodes. In an embodiment, the registry may store this information in memory 206 in the form of a look up table. The messages may be sent to the electronic devices based on registry information.

[0028] It may be appreciated that the message sent from the system 100 in SMS format is only according to an embodiment, hence other embodiments may have different configurations or techniques for sending messages from the infant care device to the electronic device and vice versa. In an alternate embodiment, a software application may be present in the electronic device that can connect with the system 100 of the infant care device. The software application can receive messages indicating the alarm condition in the infant care device and the patient. Similarly the software application can also send messages to the infant care device for establishing the communication and to send other commands to the infant care device.

[0029] The processor 104 may be capable of analyzing the operation of the infant care device and generating an operation trend. The operation trend may include for example, but is not limited to, failure history of the infant care device, improper functioning history of the infant care device, infant care device part failure and functioning history and infant care device functioning history. The operation trend may be sent in a message 300 from the system 100 to an electronic device as shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment. The message 300 may also include a graphical representation of the operation trend i.e. a trend graph 302 along with the infant care device operation trend 304. Based on the operation trend 304, the processor 104 may be configured to generate an operation forecast 306 of the infant care device. The operation forecast 306 may comprise a prediction of a future failure or an alarming operating condition of the infant care device or its parts. The operation trend 304 may be sent to the electronic device in response to receiving a command from the caregiver by the system 100. The caregiver can provide a command to select what information should be included in the operation trend 304. Thus the caregiver can send a command (via message) for only the infant.care device operation trend 304 and the trend graph 302 and accordingly the message 300 sent to the electronic device will have only this requested information.

[0030] It should be appreciated that the infant care device operation trend may be transmitted directly to a service engineer instead of, or in addition to, a caregiver. The infant care device operation trend may be part of a message 300 and sent to the service engineer in response to receiving a command. For example, a message may be sent to the service engineer indicating a failure in the infant care device. The service engineer may then take appropriate steps to service the infant care device or rectify the failure.

[0031] The processor 104 may be also configured to analyze the health condition of the patient, e.g. the infant, and generate a health trend 400 of the patient as shown in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment. The health trend 400 may include a health trend graph 402 and health data 404. The health trend graph 402 presents health condition of the patient and its variation for a particular time period. The health trend graph 402 may include a trend graph relating to a monitored patient physiological parameter such as body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, neurological activities, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), carbon dioxide measurement, cardiac output, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtC02) and airway respiration rate (AWRR). In an embodiment, a single health trend graph 402 may present the trend for a plurality of patient physiological parameters. In another embodiment, a plurality of health trend graphs 402 are provided, each graph 402 relates to a particular patient physiological parameter. The health data 404 presents different health information associated with the patient along with operating information associated with the infant care device and alarm indications. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the health data 404 presents patient temperature data, heater power data and an alarm. Correspondingly, the health trend graph 402 presents the patient's monitored temperature over a period of time in a graphical form. In this example, based on the patient temperature and the heater power readings, the alarm may indicate to check the patient. The time period may be defined by the caregiver.

[0032] The processor 104 may be configured to generate the health trend 400 and store the health trend 400 in the memory 206. The processor 104 may be configured to send the health trend 400 through the communicator 106. The health trend 400 may be sent in the form of a message 406 to the electronic device. In an embodiment, periodically the health trend 400 may be sent to the electronic device based on caregiver's setting. The caregiver's setting may be pre-stored in the memory 206 or may be sent as a command (via message) to the system 100 from the electronic device. The health trend 400 enables the caregiver to anticipate a change in the health condition prior to the health condition generating an alarm. Thus the caregiver can take appropriate steps to monitor the patient closely.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates multiple infant care devices that need to be monitored remotely according to an embodiment. The infant care devices 500-1, 500-2, and 500-3 may each be located in different locations and remote from a user, for example, a service engineer. Alternatively, the infant care devices 500-1, 500-2, and 500-3 may be co-located, but remote from the user. The user may send commands to any infant care device using a user electronic device 502. Each infant care device may have an identification number or a serial number for identifying the device. The command that is send by the user may include a serial number of the infant care device that needs to be monitored and checked for its operation information. The command is sent in the form of a message. The command may also include what the user requires about the infant care device for example, operation trend or history. If a command is received at the infant care device 500-1, then a system (for example, the system 100) analyzes the operation of the infant care device 500-1 sends its operation trend and history to the user electronic device.502 in the.form of a message. The operation history may include information associated with number of working hours of the infant care device 500-1 and its failure history. Further the operation trend of the infant care device 500-1 may predict how the device will operate in future based on its operation history. Thus an indication of possible technical failures of the infant care device 500-1 may be presented in the operation trend. In an embodiment the operation trend may be presented in a graphical form. Such information can assist the user i.e. the service engineer to anticipate technical failures and appropriately attend to the infant care device.

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 6, a method 600 for remotely monitoring an infant care device is depicted according to an embodiment. At block 602, a plurality of device operation parameters and a plurality of patient physiological parameters are received. The device operation parameters are also associated with operation status of subsystems or device parts of the infant care device. The subsystems or parts include a probe, a heater, a power circuit board, a control board, alarm units, a humidifier, and so on. The alarm condition may relate to one of an operating condition of the infant care device, a health condition of the patient, or a combination thereof. The operating condition may include a failure condition or any improper operating condition associated with the infant care device. The health condition of the patient may comprise a physiological parameter that is outside of a threshold value or range. The patient physiological parameters may include, but are not limited to, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, neurological activities, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), carbon dioxide measurement, cardiac output, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtC02) and airway respiration rate (AWRR), or any combination thereof. Then an alarm is generated when an alarm condition relating to one or more of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected at block 604.

[0035] If there is an alarm condition, then a message is sent indicating the alarm condition to an electronic device of a user at block 606. In addition, the message may also include information associated with at least one of a plurality of patient physiological parameters and information associated with at least one of a plurality of operation parameters. The messages may be in a short message service (SMS) format. The user can view the message and then respond to the alarm condition.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for remotely monitoring an infant care device according to another embodiment. An electronic device needs to be registered with an infant care device for establishing a communication. At block 702, a message comprising an identification number associated with an electronic device and a passcode is received at an infant care device. In an embodiment, the message is in a short message (SMS) format. Thereafter, atblock 704, the identification is authenticated based on the passcode. Based on the authentication, the electronic device is registered in the infant care device for establishing communication between the electronic device and the infant care device at block 706. At block 708, an alarm condition, a plurality of monitored patient physiological parameters, and device operation information of the infant care device are analyzed. The alarm condition may relate to an operating condition of an infant care device, a health condition of the patient, or a combination thereof. The operating condition may include a failure condition or an improper operating condition associated with the infant care.device. The health condition of the patient may comprise a physiological parameter that is outside of a threshold value or range.

[0037] If there is any alarm condition, then a message is sent to an electronic device of a user indicating the alarm condition at block 710. In addition, the message may also include information associated with a plurality of patient physiological parameters and information associated with the plurality of device operation parameters. The message may be in a short message service (SMS) format. The user can view the message and respond to the alarm condition.

[0038] Further, the infant care device may be configured to receive a request from the electronic device for the operation trend associated with the infant care device. The operation trend may be then transmitted in the form of a message to the electronic device. The operation trend may include failure history and operation information of the infant care device. The user may also use the electronic device to transmit a request to the . infant care device for the health trend associated with the health condition of the patient. The infant care device may be configured to transmit a message including the health trend to the electronic device.

[0039] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosed is a system for enabling remote monitoring of an infant care device. The system enables caregivers or service providers to remotely monitor operation of the infant care device and health condition of the patient thereby avoiding frequent visit of the caregiver to the infant care device to check if it is functioning properly. The system also provides failure history and operation trend of the infant care device so that the caregiver or service engineer can predict when the infant care device may fail or the type of failure, and schedule service for the device. The user (in this embodiment, i.e. the service engineer) can also obtain a history and operation trend of multiple infant care devices as a batch or individually, and perform an audit to determine the number of working hours, failure history and possibilities of future failures of these devices. As a result, the service engineer can monitor these devices more closely, directly and conveniently. Here, for servicing the infant care devices, the service engineers.can be aware of any defects in the infant care devices without input or notification from the end user (i.e. caregiver) of these devices. Moreover, the caregiver can also become aware of any alarming condition associated with an infant care device or a health condition of the patient without being close to the patient or the infant care device.

[0040] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing "any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural
V elements that do hot differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements .with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

We Claim:

1. A system for enabling a user to remotely monitor an infant care device, the system
comprises:
a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameters, and generate an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and a communicator configured to send a message indicating the alarm condition and information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters to an electronic device of the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the message is presented through an application in the electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the message is in a short messaging service (SMS) format.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communicator is further configured to register an identification number associated with the electronic device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the communicator is further configured to: receive a message comprising the identification number and a passcode; and authenticate the identification number based on the passcode for registering the electronic device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to store, in a memory, an operation trend associated with the infant care device and a health trend associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the communicator is configured to:
process a request from the electronic device for the operation trend associated with the infant care device, wherein the operation trend comprises a failure history and operation information of the infant care device; and transmit a message comprising the operation trend to the electronic device.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the communicator is configured to: process a request from the electronic device for the health trend; and transmit a message comprising the health trend to the electronic device.

9. An infant care device comprising:
an infant platform configured to support an infant;
a processor configured to receive device operation information and a plurality of patient physiological parameters, and generate an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and a communicator configured to send a message indicating the alarm condition, information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters and device operation information to a portable electronic device of a user.

10. The infant care device of claim 9, wherein the message is presented through an application in the electronic device.

11. The infant care device of claim 9, wherein the message is in a short messaging service (SMS) format.

12. The infant care device of claim 9, wherein the communicator is further configured to register an identification number associated with the electronic device.

13. The infant care device of claim 12, wherein the communicator is further configured to: receive a message comprising the identification number and a passcode; and authenticate the identification number based on the passcode for registering the electronic device.

14. The infant care device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to store an operation trend associated with the infant care device and a health trend associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters.

15. The infant care device of claim 14, wherein the communicator is configured to: process a request from the electronic device for the operation trend associated with the infant care device, wherein the operation trend comprises failure history and operation information of the infant care device; and transmit a message comprising the operation trend to the electronic device.

16. The infant care device of claim 15, wherein the communicator is further configured to: process a request from the electronic device for the health trend; and transmit a message comprising the health trend to the electronic device.

17. A method of remotely monitoring of an infant care device, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of device operation parameters and a plurality of patient physiological parameters; generating an alarm when an alarm condition relating to at least one of the device operation information or the patient physiological parameters is detected; and sending a message indicating the alarm condition, information associated with the plurality of patient physiological parameters and information associated with the . plurality of operation parameters to an electronic device.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
receiving a message.comprising an identification number associated with the electronic device and a passcode at the infant care device, wherein the message is in a short message service (SMS) format;
authenticating the identification number based on the passcode; and registering the electronic device in the infant care device for establishing communication between the electronic device and the infant care device.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
storing in a memory an operation trend associated with the infant care device, wherein the operation trend comprises a failure history and operation information of the infant care device.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
receiving a request for the operation trend from the electronic device; transmitting a message comprising the operation trend to the electronic device;
receiving a request from the electronic device for the health trend; and transmitting a message comprising the health trend to the electronic device.