Device for Monitoring of Patient's Vital Signs

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a device for monitoring patient's vital functions, in particular for measuring respiratory and heart rate. This is achieved by using a piezoelectric transducer which also forms with measuring electrode a measuring capacitor. In addition, a comparator capacitor is used to increase resistance to changes in the measuring conditions.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring patient's vital functions comprising a computing unit, a piezoelectric transducer, a measuring electrode, forming together with the piezoelectric transducer a measuring capacitor, wherein the piezoelectric transducer and the measuring capacitor are electrically connected with the computing unit, wherein the measuring electrode is connected to a board, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is propped against the board, on which the measuring electrode is connected, in least at two positions, wherein between the at least two locations is located a flexible portion of the piezoelectric transducer.

2. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises a first electrode and a second electrode and a piezoelectric element positioned between the first and second electrodes formed by piezoelectric material, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected with the computing unit.

3. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 2 wherein the piezoelectric element is formed by piezoceramics.

4. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 2, wherein the measuring electrode forms together with the first electrode or the second electrode the measuring capacitor.

5. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 1 wherein the board is a printed circuit board on which the computing unit, the piezoelectric transducer and the measuring capacitor are located.

6. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 4 wherein the second electrode or the first electrode is in three places of the perimeter of an area of the printed circuit board attached so that each attachment enables deformation of the piezoelectric transducer.

7. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 1 further comprising a comparator capacitor which is electrically connected with the computing unit.

8. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 7 wherein the comparator capacitor comprises a first comparator electrode and a second comparator electrode, wherein the first comparator electrode and the second comparator electrode are electrically connected with the computing unit.

9. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 1 further comprising a sampling capacitor which is electrically connected with the computing unit.

10. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 8 further comprising a shielding electrode of the measuring capacitor electrically connected with the computing unit and having the same electrical potential as the measuring electrode and/or a shielding electrode of the comparator capacitor electrically connected with the computing unit which has the same electrical potential as the first comparator electrode or the second comparator electrode.

11. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 10 wherein on the printed circuit board is further located any element chosen from the group of the shielding electrode of the measuring capacitor, shielding electrode of the comparator capacitor, the comparator capacitor and the sampling capacitor.

12. The device for monitoring patient's vital functions according to claim 10 wherein the shielding electrode of the measuring capacitor is located opposite of the measuring electrode and the shielding electrode of the comparator capacitor is located opposite of the first comparator electrode or the second comparator electrode.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a device 21 for monitoring patient's vital functions according to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 comprising a piezoelectric transducer 8, a comparator capacitor 9, a printed circuit board 7, a plating 3 and a computing unit 10. The plating 3 may be, for example, of copper. The computing unit 10, according to the preferred embodiment, consists of a single processor, but may also consist of other computing parts communicating with each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0024] The piezoelectric transducer 8 utilized here for the purpose of measuring vital functions is a component for generating sound, namely an electro-acoustic transducer used in watches, as a siren or as a buzzer. The piezoelectric transducer has suitable mechanical-deformative properties for measuring vital functions, which means that springs and additional members transferring their deformations caused by movements associated with patient's vital functions to the measuring element are not necessary in comparison with prior art devices, thus achieving low production costs, higher measuring accuracy, and simplicity of the entire device 21. A semiconductor component and a circuit utilized for measuring capacity in touchscreen displays (charge transfer technology/method) are utilized in measuring capacity with this component and another measuring (static) electrode 4. A specific exemplary embodiment is described below.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, the device 21 is on the side of the piezoelectric transducer 8 covered by, for example, a plastic diaphragm which protects the device 21 against water and dust and at the same time also removes the mechanical resonance oscillation of the device 21. The device 21 is on the side opposite of the piezoelectric transducer 8 covered by for example plastic foil which ensures the minimum height of the entire device 21. The plastic film may be replaced by any flexible or movable cover which ensures the transfer of forces to the piezoelectric transducer 8 without its stiffness significantly affecting the resulting force being transmitted to the piezoelectric transducer 8. The device 21 for monitoring patient's vital functions may be adapted for insertion into the pad. The pad can be stored, for example, between the mattress and the bed frame, in the mattress or between the mattress and the patient's body. The device may also be adapted for a direct placement on the bed frame and for detachable locking, for example, with a snap fastener.

[0026] The piezoelectric transducer 8 consists of the piezoelectric element 1 from piezoceramics, the first electrode 25 and the second electrode 2. Piezoceramics are for example piezoceramic materials based on lead zirconate titanate [Pb[Zr.sub.xTi.sub.1-x]O.sub.3 with 0x1] or sodium bismuth titanate [NaBi(TiO.sub.3).sub.2] or other piezoceramic material. By using such material, the required electromechanical properties are achieved, namely generation of charge in range of 130-930 pC/N. The piezoelectric element 1 is located between the first electrode 25, for example, from silver, optionally from alloys with similar electrical properties, and the second electrode 2. The piezoelectric transducer 8 may have different shapes, such as a circle, a triangle, square, or other shapes. A preferred shape is the circular shape, which ensures the most uniform decomposition of forces. The shape of the piezoelectric transducer 8 is usually a circle delimited in its height dimension by two parallel planes. Preferably, form modification of the piezoelectric transducer 8 can be utilized, when its center is pressed in the direction of axis perpendicular to one of the delimiting planes and a board-like shape emerges, where the center is located in one plane and in parallel plane lie the borders of the piezoelectric transducer 8. The board-like shape is best illustrated by the shape of the second electrode 2 (or the entire piezoelectric transducer 8) in FIG. 2. The second electrode 2 may be made of brass, aluminum, copper or another metallic material. The locations of the electrodes are interchangeable, it is essential that the piezoelectric element 8 is positioned in the middle between them. The second electrode 2 may have a circular or optionally board, like shape. Alternatively, the second electrode may have the shape of ellipse, polygon, most frequently of rectangle, square, or another shape. Shape of the second electrode 2 is preferably derived from the shape of the piezoelectric transducer 8. The second electrode 2 is flat and its surface is in a rest position approximately parallel to the piezoelectric element 1. The second electrode 2 is located on the plating 3 for electrical connection with the ground. This creates a firm connection with the printed circuit board 7. The second electrode 2 is connected at least in two places to cause the required deformation of the piezoelectric transducer 8. These two places may be located, for example, opposite of each other on the opposite sides of the length of the piezoelectric transducer 8. In an alternative embodiment, the attachment can be provided so that that the first electrode 25 is located on the plating 3 and thereby the piezoelectric transducer 8 is connected with the printed circuit board 7. In a preferred embodiment, the second electrode 2 is connected in at least three places adjoining the printed circuit board 7 to provide greater stability and better course of deformation of the piezoelectric transducer 8. Preferably, these places are in the piezoelectric transducer with circular shape positioned so that they create a triangle when connected. Alternatively, the piezoelectric transducer 8 may be connected to any fixed board in this way, but by connecting to the printed circuit board 7, the dimensions of the entire device 21 are minimized. The measuring capacitor 23 consists of the second electrode 2 and the measuring electrode 4. The measuring electrode 4 is connected with the printed circuit board 7 and forms electrode with higher electrical potential. The dielectric of the measuring capacitor 23 is formed by an air gap. On the opposite side of the printed circuit board 7 opposite of the measuring electrode 4 there is the shielding electrode 6 of the measuring capacitor 23. The shielding electrode 6 of the measuring capacitor 23 has the same electrical potential as the measuring electrode 4 and together they can form a shielding capacitor 24 which provides resistance to external influences for example by the approximation of metal material. In some cases, two or more piezoelectric transducers 8 may be located on one circuit board 7.

[0027] The comparator capacitor 9 consists of the first comparator electrode 26, the first comparator electrode 26 can be made, for example, of brass, aluminum, copper. The first comparator electrode 26 is located on the plating 3 for electrical connection with the ground. The comparator capacitor 9 further consists of a second comparator electrode 5. The second comparator electrode 5 is located on the printed circuit board 7 and forms an electrode with higher electrical potential: The dielectric of the comparator capacitor 9 is formed by an air gap. On the opposite side of the printed circuit board 7 opposite of the second comparator electrode 5 is located the shielding electrode 27 of the comparator capacitor 9. The shielding electrode 27 of the comparator capacitor 9 has the same electrical potential as the comparator electrode 5 and together they can form a shielding capacitor 24 which provides resistance to external influences for example by the approximation of metal material.

[0028] The computing unit 10 combines piezoelectric voltage measurement and capacity measurement functions, for example, by means of charge transfer technology. Piezoelectric element 1 is connected to the computing unit 10 through a charge amplifier. Furthermore, the measuring capacitor 23, the comparator capacitor 9, the shielding capacitor 24 and the sampling capacitor 11 are connected to the computing unit 10. The use of the measuring capacitor 23 and the comparator capacitor 9 causes resistance to changes in the measuring conditions such as temperature or humidity.

[0029] Furthermore, a method for monitoring patient's vital functions according to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment is described. Heartbeat, breath and other vital functions of the patient, for example peristalsis, generate forces transmitted to the device 21 for monitoring patient's vital functions. With respect to the construction of the device 21, it is ensured that the vital functions of the patient are measurable without the need for permanent connection of the device 21 with the patient's body, for example by means of gluing or implanting. The device 21 is capable of measuring patent's vital functions in contact with the skin of the patient, but also in contact with patient's clothing, mediated through the mattress on which the patient is placed, or through the pad in which the device 21 for monitoring vital functions may be located. The measuring capacitor 23 and the comparator capacitor 9 are used to measure slowly changing forces generated by, for example, breathing. During breathing, due to the applied forces, deflection of the central portion of the second electrode 2 (and therefore to the entire piezoelectric transducer 8) occurs, and thus also change in the air gap between the second electrode 2 and the measuring electrode 4. Due to the construction where the piezoelectric transducer 8 is attached to the board by one of the electrodes, a non-mediated deflection of the piezoelectric transducer 8 without the need for additional force transmitting components is enabled. The size of the air gap between the first comparator electrode 26 and the second comparator electrode 5 is independent of the action of the forces. The change in the capacity of the measuring capacitor 23 is dependent both on the varying air gap size and on the change of permittivity of the air gap. The change in the capacity of the comparator capacitor 9 is dependent only on change in permittivity of the air gap. The capacity of the measuring capacitor 23 and the capacity of the comparator capacitor 9 ratio will remove the dependence of the capacitance change on dielectric permittivity and thereby the independence of changing the measuring conditions.

[0030] Capacity changes are evaluated for example by charge transfer technology. The charge transfer technology operates on the principle of charging the capacitor and subsequent transfer of the accumulated charge into the sampling capacitor 11, wherein the number of accumulated charge transfers into the sampling capacitor is counted, until the voltage at the sampling capacitor 11 reaches the same value as the stable reference voltage. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that other methods of measuring capacity can be utilized, for example, the resonance method. In order to measure fast-changing forces caused for example by pulse, a direct piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric material is used, where by deformation of the piezoelectric material due to external forces, a charge which is through the charge amplifier transferred to the computing unit 10 is generated where the voltage is evaluated. The output data are then transmitted via the data wire 22 to the control unit 20. The computing unit 10 can be provided as a microprocessor, its location on the printed circuit board 7 ensures a protection of the signal because the distance of the transmitted non-digital signal is very small.

[0031] Further, a method for communication of the measuring elements A.sub.1 to A.sub.N 13, 14, 15 which may be devices for monitoring vital functions of a patient 21 or sensors of other type according to FIG. 4 is described. The pad contains a plurality of measuring elements A.sub.1 to A.sub.N 13, 14, 15 connected by at least one trigger wire 12 with the control unit 20. The measurement elements A.sub.2 through A.sub.N-1 are connected by the data wires 22 with the adjacent measuring elements and the measuring elements A.sub.1 and A.sub.N 13, 15 are connected by the data wire 22 with the adjacent element. The measuring element A.sub.1 13 is connected by the data wire also with the control unit 20. By connecting the measuring elements A.sub.1 to A.sub.N 13, 14, 15 by the data wires 22, a serial data connection of these measuring elements A.sub.1 to A.sub.N 13, 14, 15, is established, resulting in a reduction in the required amount of cableway. The trigger wire 12 is connected to the trigger 19, task of which is to transmit the signal for initiation of the measurement and for transmission of the measured information, Upon receipt of the signal from the trigger 19, the data message from each measuring element A.sub.K is sent through the data wire 22 to the measuring element A.sub.K-1 which subsequently sends it through the data wire to the measuring element A.sub.K-2, this way the data message is sent through the data wires 22 to the measuring element A.sub.1 13 from where it is sent through the data wire 22 to the control unit 20, the transfer process is repeated until the data message from the A.sub.N 15 is received in the control unit 20. K takes values from interval 1 to N. The data messages are sent from all measuring elements A.sub.1 to A.sub.N 13, 14, 15 simultaneously, so that the data message from the measuring element A.sub.1 13 arrives first, then the data message from the measuring element A.sub.2 14 arrives and finally the data message from the measuring element A.sub.N 15 arrives. The method described above describes only one branch of the measuring element A.sub.1 13, the measuring element A.sub.2 14 to the measuring element A.sub.N 15, there can be more of these branches connected to the control unit 20 as, for example, in FIG. 4, branch B, with measuring element B.sub.1 16, measuring element B.sub.2 17 to measuring element B.sub.N 18.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0032] 1piezoelectric element [0033] 2second electrode [0034] 3plating [0035] 4measuring electrode [0036] 5second comparator electrode [0037] 6shielding electrode of measuring capacitor [0038] 7printed circuit board) [0039] 8piezoelectric transducer [0040] 9comparator capacitor [0041] 10computing unit [0042] 11sampling capacitor [0043] 12trigger wire [0044] 13measuring element A.sub.1 [0045] 14measuring element A.sub.2 [0046] 15measuring element A.sub.N [0047] 16measuring element B.sub.1 [0048] 17measuring element B.sub.2 [0049] 18measuring element B.sub.N [0050] 19trigger [0051] 20control unit [0052] 21device for monitoring patient's vital functions [0053] 22data wire [0054] 23measuring capacitor [0055] 24shielding capacitor [0056] 25first electrode [0057] 26first comparator electrode [0058] 27shielding electrode of comparator capacitor