Radio-linked patient monitoring system collects several channels of physiological data from as many as 64 hospital patients and transmits the data in digital form to a central control station. The system consists of a central control station and battery-operated patient units comprising small strap-on electronics packages

Bedard, R. E.

Buxton, R. L.

Dawson, W. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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1968	 Brief 68-10131 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Automated Patient Monitoring System 
A cadio-linked patient monitoring system (desig-
nated "Automated Patient Care System"), which has 
been designed and placed into operation for feasi-
bility testing, is capable of collecting several channels 
of physiological data from as many as 64 hospital 
patients and transmitting the data to a central control 
station. The information is transmitted in digital form 
which can be directly processed by a computer.
The system consists of a central control station and 
battery-operated patient units comprising small strap-
on electronics packages designed to ensure minimum 
encumbrance and discomfort to the patients, who may 
be either ambulatory or bedridden. A complete 
patient unit including battery weighs less than one 
pound. Conventional biomedical sensors are associ-
ated with each patient unit. Typically, sensors include 
-.	
continued 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000131 2020-03-12T05:29:59+00:00Z
4 electrocardiogram electrodes, 2 thermistors for 
temperature measurement, and a strain gage consist-
ing of a mercury-filled silicone rubber tube which is 
slipped over a big toe or a thumb to monitor blood 
pressure pulsations. 
The central control station and patient units share 
a single broadcast frequency, pair. A patient unit is 
not active until it is interrogated by the control sta-
tion and signaled to transmit 'its data for central 
display and recording. During normal "all patients" 
operation, each of the patient units in the system is 
interrogated in turn for two seconds by a coded' 
message from the central control station. In this 
period, the patient unit addressed transmits its data to 
the central station for display and/or recording. In the 
"single patient" mode of operation, any patient can be 
continuously monitored by setting a selector switch in 
the central station to the desired patient number. 
Notes: 
1. The feasibility of this system has been demon-
strated in tests involving two patient units at 
distances of more than 125 feet from the central 
station. With further development, a, system is 
envisioned which would enable several central 
stations to monitor the physiological condition of a 
large number of patients for routine detection and 
treatment of disease. Particularly advantageous 
application of this system would be in intensive-
care wards.
2. With appropriate selection of transducers and 
signal conditioning circuitry, the system could be 
used to monitor a wide variety of industrial proc-
esses. 
A related multichannel implantable telemetry 
system is described in Tech Brief B68-10065. 
Inquiries may also be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B68-10131 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Source: R. E. Bedard, W. S. Dawson,
and R. L. Buxton
of The Boeing Company
under contract to

Marshall Space Flight Center 
(MFS-14552) 
Brief 68-10131	 '	 Category 01


Automated patient monitoring system

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